OFF PARADE

Evening Star, Issue 25926, 18 October 1946, Page 9

OFF PARADE

By " Bofor."

HANDSOME, MODERN STRUCTURE

Items intended for publication, including notices of returned servicemen’s meetings and reunions, v must reach ‘‘Bofor” not later than Wednesday of each week.

RENOVATED R.S.A. BUILDING MANY FACILITIES FOB MEMBERS With the final touches being added to the . comprehensive rebuilding and renovating of the club headquarters of the Returned Services Association in Moray Place, an idea can now be obtained of the extent of the preparations that have been made for the comfort of the members. From a building that was lacking in the facilities required by such an establishment for the entertainment of returned servicemen, particularly those of the Second World War, the. club has been transformed into a social centre with a bright atmosphere, the lay-out of the various rooms being planned, with an eye to utilising every available space in order to obviate any suggestion of congestion.. NEW RIFLE RANGE. There are several aspects of the new facilities for members that stand out. For instance, there is the range for members of the R.S.A. Small-bore Rifle Club that has been erected on top of the roof of the building itself. This range, officially opened this week, is perhaps the most modern in New Zealand,_ possessing as it does fluorescent lighting erected below the level of the six targets, which it throws into bold relief without casting any shadows. The range is the standard length of 25yds, and the floor below is protected from any stray bullets by iron sheeting towards the targets themselves. The mound allows ample room, and gives an excellent sight of the target. Adjacent to the range is a social room \Vith ample cupboard accommodation for the equipment of the members, including as it does ammunition, rifles, targets, and cleaning gear. EXCELLENT BILLIARDS ROOM, Then there is the billiards room, which has been extended so that the table accommodation has been increased from four to six. The reputation of the billiards room in the past as an ideal centre for the game has been enhanced considerably, and authorities are of the opinion that, apart from the quality of the,tables (two of which are for championship games), the better lighting in addition to the natural lighting from the large windows during daylight hours, and the general renovating of this large parlour, has made it the best of its kind in R.S.A. buildings in the Dominion. A small canteen, cleverly designed, opens off one side of the billiards room, and players will soon be able to obtain light refreshments. Several new unholstered seats siding the room have also been installed recently, enabling spectators to - have .ar comfortable and unobstructed view of, the games. s INDOOR BOWLING, The association’s members include many bowlers, and for their recreation two. full-sized rinks are being installed . in a spacious games room, which is illuminated by fluorescent lighting. Without labouring the point too much, outdoor bowls conditions will be applied as far as jules are concerned to this indoor bowling “ green,” fullsized bowls being used. The room will also be used by the choir each Wednesday for practices. The neatly-kept library of the choir is in a small annexe off the games room. Until the “ green ” is laid down, table tennis will be played in the games room. A commodious lounge, with a fireplace provided (despite the fact that the entire building is maintained at a constant temperature of 60deg by an electric tubular heating system controlled by thermostats), is at present in the process of being renovated, and it leads off the games room. Also on .the.first floor is the reading room, which is to be completely furnished by the Disabled Servicemen’s Re-establishment League. . ADMINISTRATIVE FACILITIES. On the ground floor are the office of the secretary of the association (Mr 0. L. Ferens), near the main entrance to the building, and where the committee room used, to be located; the general office, which is being completely renovated, a wall being knocked out to give more space, and a new public entrance installed; the social hall, which has bee.n heated, a screen erected on the stage for the showing of films, and special. lighting installed for the Table Tennis Club; a large committee room (at present being used as the office); a ladies’ room for the comfort of the lady members of the association who at present number 85; and the dining room. Although it is not generally realised, the dining room caters for the general public besides members of the association, The kitchen has been modernised and renovated, all cooking being done either by electricity or gas, and it is intended to install soon a fullsized hot press to ensure that the meals do not lose their savour through becoming cold. Incidentally, some week-days there are 120 diners, and the dining room itself now presents a more attractive appearance. Farm Purchases, There are many returned servicemen in Otago keen to settle on tlie laud, and for their guidance it is in-, tended to publish weekly • the most important points covering the farm settlement scheme. There are three main channels through which farm properties can he purchased. The first

covers fully improved single unit farms, or those that can be brought up to a state of meeting full charges within a period of three years, financed to the extent of 100 per cent., by rehabilitation finance on approved securities. The second channel is by way of using the provisions of the Soldier Settlement and Land Sales Act in the case of the sale of land from one civilian to another, the Crown stepping in and taking the land at a value fixed by the Land Sales Committee, and allotting it by ballot to suitable returned servicemen. The third channel covers tenure. The tenure of the land does not alter on the transfer to an ex-serviceman, and the finance is available for freehold or sound leasehold properties. REMINDERS. Meeting at Portobello. Annual meeting, to-morrow night, at Portobello (8.15), of Peninsula R.S.A. Subassociation. 0 Film Screening and Entertainment. —This function will be held in. the R.S.A. Social Hall to-morrow .night, at 8. All returned servicemen and their families invited. Table Tennis Function.—Exhibition games to be played on Monday, in R.S.A. Social Hall, commencing at 7.30 p.m. Lady members of the association specially invited. . ' Monthly Luncheon.—-Mr Hugh IRamsay, who served, with the Indian Navy during the Second World War, will speak at the monthly R.S.A. luncheon on Monday, commencing at 12.30 p.m., on the Burma campaign, 1942, and will give his impressions of India. Anzac 'Day Controversy.—On November 5 an extraordinary general meeting of R.S.A. members will be held in the social hall to consider a report of a special committee appointed , by the last annual general meeting of members to inquire into the. desirability of continuing the present form of Anzac 1 Day, or the necessity of amendments to the Anzac Day Observance Day Act. “ Diggers’ ” Golf Tournament.—Entries (through clubs) close at the R.S.A. office on November 4 for this tournament, which will he held at the St. Clair links on Sunday, November 17, commencing at 8.30 a.m. R.S.A. Choir Concert.—The second recital of the 1946 season will be held in the Concert Chamber on November 18. Church Parade.—Returned servicemen are invited to attend a “ remembrance service ” in the South Dunedin Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 10. Fleet Air Arm Reunion.—lt is intended to hold a reunion, similar to functions already staged in Auckland and Wellington, at a date to be arranged. All members of the Fleet Air Arm in Otago and Southland are requested to communicate with Mr H. L. Aspinall, Aspinall and Joel, barristers and solicitors (phones 11-739 and 20-944), or Mr H. A. Foote (phone 2-2-043).