DAMAGE BY FIRE

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 223, 16 June 1932, Page 9

DAMAGE BY FIRE

Returned Soldiers’ Building PROPOSALS DISCUSSED Reference to the problem faced by the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association as a result of the heavy damage to the Brandon Street building in the recent fire was made at the annual meeting of the association held last evening in the Dominion Farmers’ Institute. “We have three alternatives ahead of us,” said the president, Lieut.-Colonel 11. E. Avery, who presided over an attendance of 80 members. These, lie continued, were: To, reinstate the building and take the chance of obtaining rentals from it for the next four years until tlie association, under the terms of its lease, was obliged to rebuild. To erect a new and modern building. The association had £9OOO with-which to finance this. To sell whatever rights the association had in the building until 1941, rent offices, and use the interest on existing funds to “balance the budget.” The decision, said the president, rested with the incoming executive, but it was proper that the meeting should know the position, and if it thought lit make a recommendation to the executive. No recommendation was made as a result of the brief discussion that followed, but the opinions expressed indicated that the majority of the meeting was in favour of the third suggested course. Various speakers emphasised, however, the need for suitable and attractive central offices and rooms, some blaming the nature of the past accommodation for the failure of the association to increase its membership. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, already published in part in “The Dominion,” the chairman reviewed the work of the past year and the problems of the future. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Shand,' and carried. Tlie following officers were re-elected: —President, Lieut.-Colonel H. E. Avery; secretary, Major J. T. Watson; hon. treasurer, Mr. H. L. Cooper; auditor, Mr. T. L. Burton. Colonel A. Cowles was elected vice-president, and after a ballot the following executive was appointed:—Colonel G. T. Hall, Colonel R. H. Rowland, Colonel R. McQuarrie, the Rev. W. B. Scott, Dr. M. Mcßae, and Messrs. B. Egley, W. H. Hewitt, H. T. Marshall, and J. Spence. Votes of thanks for all who had assisted the association during the past year, and a vote of appreciation of the work done by the president and his executive, brought the meeting to a close.