THE VETERANS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2293, 29 October 1914, Page 9

THE VETERANS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE CARE OF OLD SOLDIERS' GRAVES. The annual conference of the New Zealand Association of His Majesty's Veterans was held in No. 1 Committee Room in the Town Hall yesterday. There wore present: Major H. A. Loinax (chairman), Wauganui; Colonel' T. W. Porter, C.8., Poverty Bay; Major Chicken, V.D., Hawke's Bay; W. Christie, Wellington; It. Tingey, Wellington; H. Walton, Manawatu; J. 'A. Capper, Wai'rarapa; Colonel S. Newall, C.8., vice-president; Captain T. Humphries, and H. Arden, ■ Taranaki; S. Stidolph (secretary). The annual report congratulated members on receiving their pensions for the Maori War, free from all conditions. This honour was granted by Bie present Government, and was supportod unanimously by the members of Parliament last session. The number of' pensions granted so far is 1504, less 137 deceased'since the granting of tho pension. A movement has been made •to protect' the graves of soldiers who were killed in the Maori wars, advocated by Veteran H. Walton, and has met with general approval. Field-Marshal Earl Roberts, _ V.C., vice-president, wrote congratulating the Now Zealand veterans on receiving tho Maori war pension. It was 'hoped that before the nest annual meeting takes place that a decisive victory for the Allies will be recorded and that peace will bo proclaimed —a peace that will be preserved in Europe for many years. • In connection with the reference to protection of old soldiers' graves Colonel Porter, C.8., stated that a very -enthusiastic" lady named Mies Statham, of Auckland, had interested herself closely during the year trying to _ locate accurately the graves of soldiers who fell in tho Maori war. He had been ablo to assist the lady in connection with a number of those who fell in 'Taranaki. ,

Colonel- Newall said he had »also heard from Miss Statham, and had been able to put her right with regard to the place where Captain Travors fell and the location of his interment, and ho had also been able to supply her with a photograph of the place taken by Mr. Percy Smith. The death occurred on his (Colonel Newall's) birthday «in 1869 in tho Matipo Scrub. When Mr. Smith had taken the photograph there were poplar trees there 60 feet high. He was pleased to learn that. Colonel Porter had been ablo to put tho lady right about the gallant fellows who fell in Taranaki. There ivere a good many deaths there in 1860 and 1863, and later in 1870-71. The report was adopted. The following returns from the branches wero received: —Wellington; 87 members, 3 deaths, cash balance, £94 18s. Id. Masterton: 10 members, I death, cash balance £1. Wanganui: 2S members, 4 deaths, cash balaiico £17 16s. 7d. Manawatu: 20 members, cash balanco£s 4s. < Id. Taranaki: 105 members, 3 deaths. Gisborne: 45 members, cash balance £5. Hawke's Bay: 51 members, cash balance £18. Hawera and county: 42 members, cash balance £10 12s. 4d. The balance-sheet of the association showed a credit balance of £8 18s. . Tho officers elected wero as follow: — Vice-presidant, Captain T. Humphries; secretary •'and treasurer, Mr. S. Stidolphj auditor, Mr. Tingoy; standing committee, Messrs. H. Walton and R. Tingoy. - The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem.