LIMBLESS SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 4

LIMBLESS SOLDIERS

WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION

The activities of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Limbless Men's Association during the past year were reviewed by the chairman, Mr. K. S. Henry, at the association's sixth annual meeting last week. The membership roll had reached 104, and about 60 per cent, of the "limbies" were financial members of the Wellington R.S.A. The chairman stressed the necessity for all "limbies" to retain their membership of the R.S.A.

Four special meetings had been called to discuss the problems of artificial limbs, he said. An important meeting, was the occasion of a visit paid by Mr. J. Stewart, of Auckland, who demonstrated his knee control patent. Among those present were the t Hon. F.. Jones (Minister.*/of Pensions) Mr, H. Digby-Smith (Commissioner of Pensions) . •./Both were impressed and assured those present that the Government would do its utmost to help limbless soldiers in the improvement of artificial, limbs. "Many complaints had been received in the past as to the manufacture of limbs, and it .is •hope,d; that,.the- matter. : .will;-soon■>/.be remedied,'' said ,Mr, Henry. '■ .. •

Regret was expressed by the chairman at the death of Major-General Sir George Richardson and Mr. W. Pawson, both of whom had been staunch friends of the "limbies."

A few,upases concerning the placing of limbless-men in some form of employment had come up for cohsidera* tion and these were suitably dealt with by the R.S.A. and Civil Soldiers' Re-establishment League.

During the year a committee was set up to formulate plans for a reunion of limbless soldiers.. Arrangements had not been completed and the com" mittees expected to submit to members at an early date something of a de» finite nature. On the social side the year had again been enjoyable. The Evans Bay Yacht and Motor-boat Club had arranged its annual picnic for "limbies," their wives, and families. The weather had been unkind and the function was held in the clubhouse, but nevertheless everyone enjoyed themselves. The annual bowling match, "Limbies" v. "Wingies," for the Bully Cup had been held at Eastbourne. The "Limbies" on this occasion reversed their .defeat of the previous year. ,

The chairman' reported that the finances were in a healthy state, there being;a credit balance of £10 10s lOd.

The^election of officers resulted as follows:—Chairman, Mr. F. C. Allerby; secretary-treasurer, Mr. K. S. Henry; committee, Messrs. S. M. Hayes, C, Lander, J. Southward, and J. Tandy; hon. auditor, Mr. A. T. Duncan'.. Mr, X, S. Henry was unanimously nominated as a candidate for the Wellington R.S.A. executive.