GREEKS ASSOCIATE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 71, 17 December 1928, Page 12

GREEKS ASSOCIATE

OPENING OF NEW CLUB ROOMS About 150 Greek residents of "Wellington, including a number of ladies, aud also Greeks from other parts of New Zealand, met last evening, the occasion being the opening of the new club rooms of the Pan-Hellenic Association in Vivian Street. The club occupies one of the flats in the T. and A. Wells new building. Mrs. and Miss Dyer, who were present. were presented with flowers. Mr. Frank Dyer, Consul for Greece for the Dominion, and president of the association, occupied the chair, and expressed the pleasure he felt that the Greek Association, which he bad advocated for so many years, was now an accomplished fact. The club rooms which were being opened that evening would, he said, supply a long-felt want. He mentioned that foreigners all over the world had their associations and clubs, and derived great benefits from them, and lie thought the time was long overdue for the Greeks in New Zealand to do what they had done in this connection.

Mr. Dyer paid a tribute to the executive committee for the work they had done in the formation of the association, and asked all the members present to loyally support the committee iu strictly carrying out the rules. The Consul stated (hat there was a movement on foot in Australia for the formation of a Greek Chamber of Commerce, to embrace New Zealand, and that a prominent Greek journalist, Mr. Polybe P. Leekos, from Athens, had the matter in hand and was meeting with great success in the various states in Australia. Sir. Dyer read correspondence that he had had with Sir. Leekos on the subject, and stated that this gentleman intended visiting New Zealand later on. to explain the aims and objects of the Chamber of Commerce to the Greeks in New Zealand.

Sir. Dyer also read a letter to the meeting from the Greek Slinister in London. thanking the Greeks in New Zealand for their contributions to the Corinth earthquake fund. Reference was made by the Consul to the serious illness of His Slajesty the King, and the following resolution was carried: “That we Greek residents of Wellington, in meeting assembled, sincerely regret the serious illness that has fallen upon His Majesty the King of England, and trust that he will soon be restored to health and strength. Addresses were made by Messrs. B. Spiro, G. Genge, L. Arvanitis, and Boulurns. Mr. J. Janis suggested a subscription for the orphans in hospital. This was agreed to. The sum of £22 was collected in the room, and Mr. Dyer was instructed to hand it to the charitable institution in Wellington, which, in his opinion, was the most deserving. The proceedings, which opened with “God. Save (he King,” closed with the singing of (be Greek National Antbcm.