RETURNED SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 21935, 23 January 1935, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ AFFAIRS

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE A meeting of the Executive Committee of tho Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last night. Mr A, Thomas (president) was in the chair and present were Messrs A. MTlutchon, W. F. Forrester, A. S. Falconer, J. S. Skinner, G. H. Fcrens, J. M. White, 111 L. Paterson, P. S. Anderson, and 0. L. Ferens (secretary). The Secretary reported that tire latest figures in‘the Dunedin membership campaign showed a total of 2,324, the Christchurch figures being 2,169.

The President said that the wreath which had been placed at the foot of te Cenotaph by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester had been handed over to the association, and the question now was what to do with it. —Mr G. H. Kerens suggested that it bo placed in a glass case and be handed to the Otago Early Settlers’ Association, with the request that it be kept in trust for the Returned Soldiers’ Association.—The suggestion was agreed to. Other matters in connection with the Duke of Gloucester’s visit were discussed, some being considered in committee. The President said he had had a short interview with the Duke at the conclusion of the parade at the Queen’s Gardens, and the Royal visitor had spoken in appreciation of the parade and had commented very favourably on the turn out of the Bugle Band.—Mr Paterson said that, according to General William Sinclair Burgess, it had been one of the biggest parades in the dominion, and Major-general Howard Vyso had said that, with the exception of the parades at the two unveiling ceremonies at the memorials in Melbourne and Sydney, it was one of the largest parades in the whole tour. The Bugle Band had turned out in splendid order, and he understood that the members had stood the cost of renewing equipment, some £7, themselves. .When the boys could give such

an indication of their keenness, he felt that the association should make a donation to the band in appreciation of the manner in which it had given assistance. Mr M'Cutchon said that there was already a move on foot to improve the band’s position, and he felt that the matter of making a donation should be deferred until the nature of that move should be disclosed. —Mr Falconer said that the band was only too willing to do what it could to help the association at any time, without any thought of financial recompense.—lt was decided to place on record the association’s appreciation of the loyal assistance given by Lieutenant Napier and his Bugle Band on various occasions.

The Chairman also mentioned that special commendation was also due to the Legion of Frontiersmen for the part it had played during the Duke’s visit to Dunedin, its action in voluntarily placing a guard at the Cenotaph being very much appreciated.