AN R.S.A. DIARY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 5, 1 October 1935, Page 13

AN R.S.A. DIARY

News of Auxiliaries

CLUB EXTENDED Brooklyn auxiliary is steadily ahead with its various phrases ot activ D, and is grateful to the residents ol UtooK lyn, Mornington and Vogeltowu lor the practical way in which they those that fought for them from lull t ladies’ committee is always ready to give its assistance, and always vouring to further the interests of auxiliary. Without its practical hUp WC social events would be very flat indeed. Work continues to be provided in the district in a wonderful manner to those who remember the soldier, anti also because the men themselves are a tyipe that "piny the game” and believe tn giving a good day’s work. Ac last negotiations have been successful, and a lease of another portion ot the premises in which the club is situated has been arranged to provide accommodation for the ever-increasing club membership. The new portion of the premises will have an area equal to the present club, and a billiard table and lounge are being installed. In addition arrangements are in train to have a resident custodian, which will enable members to make use of the billiard table, lounge and library at all hours. When all the alterations and furnishings are completed, the returned soldiers of the district will have accommodation of which they might be justly proud. The executive appeals to all ex-soldiers in the district who are not members to pay a visit. The carpet bowls prove a never-ending attraction, and some very interesting matches take place, with the result that the club has some very keen teams, lhe weekly dances are very popular, as also are the bridge evenings. With all these attractions to arrange the executive does not lose sight of its main objective, ot attending to the wants of their less fortunate comrades and endeavouring to hud employment for them, and their efforts meet with a measure of success. The proof of this is the mutual roll which, despite the endeavours made to reduce it, still keeps up. The reason has been revealed by making inquiries from men coming into the district to reside. The answer invariably given is “The auxiliary there always finds a way to assist a man and give hint a job of a few days in each month.”

Johnsonville Planning Concert. The Johnsonville auxiliary held a church parade in September. Unfortunately there was a severe hailstorm, with the result that the attendance was not very large. The committee is at present working hard with arrangements for a concert on a larger scale titan it has previously attempted, and* all is in train for a bumper night early in October. A fair amount of work is being found for off days and all men on the mutual roll are being kept busy.

Island Bay pifficulty.' Last month 55 days’ work was provided for the unemployed “Diggers” of the Island Bay district, and the executive there desires to thank all those who found employment for the men. It is to be regretted that, owing to the building having been sold, the club rooms have to be vacated soon. A considerable amount of time and work has been put into making these rooms as comfortable and attractive as possible, and other improvements were contemplated as funds became available. To make matters worse, no other suitable premises can be found at the moment, »ud it is feared that the club’s furniture will have to ne stored until another home can be obtained for it. . The fortnightly dances held in the Masonic Hall each second Saturday are very popular and greatly assist the finances of the auxiliary, particularly as at each dance the ladies provide an excellent supper. Kilbirnie Progress.

Another month of steady progress is reported by the Kilbirnie, Lyall Bay and Melrose Auxiliary. Sixty days’ work was subsidised to the amount of £ll/8/for men on the mutual roll and twelve days of unsubsidised work was found. Membership subscriptions are coming in well and new members enrolled during the month totalled five. The social room at the headquarters, lo Bay Road, continues to be well patronised. It is open to all returned men whether they have joined up with the association or not, or whether they reside outside the district or not, and the auxiliary issues an invitation to them to make use of it. „ Copies of the rules for the Lewellyn Evans Billiard Championship Trophy were forwarded to all auxiliary committees. The Kilbirnie auxiliary is the first holder and has received a challenge already from Island Bay. It is hoped that other auxiliaries will follow shortly. The Tuesday night card tournaments and dances continue to be well supported. In addition the ladies’ committee arranged two card afternoons at the headquarters. The management of the Kilbirnie Kinema has arranged a picture benefit for two nights to help raise funds for the auxiliary.

Busy Time in Hutt Valley. The social committed of the Hutt Valley sub-branch has had a busy time during the past month, conducting two very successful dances at the club rooms and doing i' s share, with other organisations, in Lower Hutt, in the preparation of the excellent military ball on September 16. lhe Petone ladies’ committee has held two more ‘‘old time” dances in Petone. which have been well patronised. Another “Diggers’ Evening” is to be held at Lower Hutt in about two weeks’ time; and, as there will be no charge for admission, returned soldiers and their wives—whether members or not —have only themselves to blame if they miss a good evening of music and jollity . Claims for assistance from soldiers in straitened circumstances are more numerous than they were early in the winter, and the benevolent committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. 0. J. Ashton, finds that the small surplus it accumulated in the fine weather of lest summer is none too large in view of the many demands now being made on it*