SOUTH AFRICAN WAR VETERANS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 70, 15 December 1928, Page 4

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR VETERANS

ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report and balance-sheet for the year ending November, 1928, to be presented to members of the South African War Veterans’ Association, at the annual meeting, tonight, regrets that so few membe.rs are financial, only about 90 members paying their subscriptions out of about 300 members on the books of the association. The executive considers that some efforts should be made to have at least 200 financial members on the books of the association, and with that view, considers that it would be advisable to appoint a paid convasser to collect subscriptions. The executive met regularly each month, and with one or two exceptions, the attendances were excellent, and the interesttaken in the welfare of the association all that could be desired. Two smoke socials held during the year were a fina: ial success, and a fund was created to similarly entertain members during the winter months. The executive, in many cases, came to the help of distressed veterans, many of them being found temporary work, and also given assistance. Application was again made to tlie Public Trustee, soliciting a grant on behalf of the association’s benevolent fund, from the T. G. Macarthy Trust fund, but was not successful, and the incoming committee was urged to make a special appeal. The loss to the association by the death of Major W. J. Hardham, V.C.., Canon Compton, C. J. Danahey, M. A. Slight, and E. Martin, was recorded. A sum of £250 has been placed with the War Funds Council by the Government, for the purpose of helping distressed veterans throughout New Zealand. All South African veterans would recognise this as a great advance step for assisting South African veterans, who might be in. distressed circumstances. The executive nlso reported that the Wellington South African war veterans’ bell, secured from the Carillon Society, at a cost of £57 10s., had been fully subscribed by veterans.