GREYMOUTH R.S.A.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1934, Page 5

GREYMOUTH R.S.A.

ANNUAL MEETING.

There was an attendance of thirtyfive members at the annual meeting of the Greymouth branch of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, held last evening, Mr A. H. McKane presiding. An apology for absence was received from Mr G. Gilbert.

An invitation was received from Rev. H. R. Fell, to an Anzac Memorial Service, to be held at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, in Greymouth on April 29. The annual report, published in the “Star” on Monday, was received. The balance sheet, which showed grants received for the year at £353, with total receipts at £476/0/11, and expenditure for the year at £4BB/5/-, leaving, after commencing with a credit balance of £7/11/5, a debit of £4/12/8, was as follows: — Receipts—Balance at March 31, 1933,

£7 11/5, grants from Canteen Fund £258, grants from Grey Patriotic Association £77, grants from Silvia Broderick Trust £5, grants from national War Fund Council £5, grants from Auckland Patriotic Association £4, grants from Blenheim Association £4, Anzac Day collection £l7 5/6, sale of poppies £3l 3/10, members’ subscriptions £3l 18/-, donations £S, annual meeting collection £1 5/-, wages subsidised £33 8/7, cheques outstanding £9 16/1, less credit balance Bank of N.Z. £5 3/5 leaving debit £4 12/8; total £4BB 5/-. Expenditure.—Benevolent grants orders £222 14/5, coal distributed £l2 15/-, hospital Christmas cheer fund £2 2/-, wages subsidised £94 1/4, Blackball Branch £4O, Dobson branch £33, Runanga branch £B, purchase of poppies £l3 11/6, re-union banquet £6 17/9, printing and advertising £7 6/3, Wreaths and crosses £7 2/6, upkeep of graves £5, car hire and caretaker £1 15/-, grant from Blenheim Assn, paid £4, capitation fees £8 7/3, delegates’ expenses £9 6/-, assistant secretary £5, stamps and petties £5 2/6, cheque books £l, bank charges and interest £1 3/6; total £4BB 5/-. Referring to the report, and balance sheet, the Chairman stated that there had been an increase of six pension cases during the year, on the number applied for during the preceding twelve months. This, he said, went to show the poor state of health that many ex-servicemen were in, and if only with the object of assisting them, the Association justified its existence. It was remarkable, he added, that after so many years since the termination of the war, there should be such a large number of men in a state of health, that required assistance byway of a pension. The cases could, in almost every instance, be found to be caused by war service, yet the longer a man held back from applying for a pension, the harder it was to establish his case before the Pensions Board. It was pleasing to record the growth in membership, of the sub-branches, Runanga, Blackball and Brunner being especially live bodies. These branches were leading the way in regard to organisation, and their progress was a reflection on the men in the Greymouth district. Runanga had joined up last year, with a membership of 18, and now counted 23, while Brunner’s membership was in the thirties, and Blackball also had a very live organisation. The position with the sub-branches was very satisfactory, and it relieved the Greymouth executive of much work. Referring to the Patriotic Society, the Chairman stated that it was controlled by a very able body of men in Greymouth, and the Association did not know how it would be getting along without them. The R.S.A. was flourishing through New Zealand, a more keen interest being taken by the men, and it looked as though the campaign for greater membership had, during the past twelve months, resulted in more than 6,000 now members joining up. Anzac Day would be commemorated next Wednesday, said the Chairman, and it was the duty of all returned soldiers to attend . the special services to be held on that

day, for they were held to commemorate those comrades who had been left on the field.

Mr C. Parfitt asked why it was the membership fee to the Association was 6/-, which .he considered too high. Hokitika charged less, he added. »

The Chairman replied that the membership to the Hokitika R.S.A. was 10/-. Greymouth was the second lowest with its charge, in the Dominion. Of the 6/. paid, 1/6 went to headquarters, and the Association retained the 4/6. If charged for salaries by its executive officers, in Greymouth, the funds now received would not be enough to meet expenses. Practically all the money received went back into the common fund, to be used for benevolent cases. The Association could not think of charging less than 6/- for membership. It was in the fortunate position of having a secretary in Mr Ryan who would not accept any payment for his services. The lowest charge for membership in the Dominion was 5/-.

Mr Parfitt: I think 5/- would be any amount. The Chairman: The balance sheet shows that we expended £222/14/5 on benevolent grants last year, plus coal distributed £l2/15/-, and Christmas cheer at the Hospital £2/2/-, a total of £237/11/5, so you will realise that the executive have spent practically the whole of the. funds in benevolent cases. No money has been wasted, and we have none in the bank. At a cost of only £l2/15/-, we

delivered 36 tons of coal into Greymouth and Cobden, and the executive anticipate doing a similar service this winter. If any unemployed members can find a day’s work at 13/4, the R.S.A. will refund to the man employing him, 6/8. The Association will meet half the cost in wages, in the case of an unemployed soldier receiving work at 13/4 per day, each man being limited to one week. The report and balance sheet were adopted, subject to the balance sheet being audited. Prior to vacating the chair, Mr McKane thanked the members of the old executive, for their assistance during the past twelve months, and also many ex-servicemen who had helped the Association in its work. A better feeling had come amongst exservicemen, who were now taking a real interest in the Association. Unfortunately the work of the Association continued to be more or less that of a. benevolent society. He did not mean that the members were there to receive benevolence, but such work had had to be done. It would be more pleasant if the Association’s funds could be used for some other object, but the times that the people were passing through, made it essential that many of them should be assisted. With the exception of one or two good old digger grouchers, the

applicants for assistance had been reasonable, and thankful for the efforts of the executive. There were several members in the Greymouth Hospital, as many as 15 being there at one time, and the speaker paid them regular visits, and found that their treatment in the hospital was good. It was this that had prompted the executive to make a grant of £2/2/- to the Hospital Funds, for Christmas cheer. He was proud to be President of what was now a live Association, but, as he had stated in

past years, if there was any member who aspired to the office he (Mr McKane), would be prepared to fall out in favour of a new man, and he could assure the newcomer of every assistance during his term of office. Mr O. McLean proposed Mr Me-, Kane as President, Mr H. Trouland seconding and both paying a tribute to the excellent work carried out by Mr McKane during his thirteen years as President of the Association. He was re-elected unopposed. Ocher officers elected were: VicePresident, Mr O. McLean; Secretary, Mr T. P. Ryan; Assistant-Secretary, Mr W. Pring; Treasurer, Mr H. Herring; Auditor, Mr F. M. Dennehy; Hon. Solicitor, Mr F. A. Kitchingham (all re-elected); Committee, Messrs H. Trouland, G. Gilbert, T. Jones, W. Larcombe, T. Crankshaw, G. Batty, P. G. Willis, and Ven. Archdeacon J. A. Jermyn. The Chairman stated that General Sir Andrew Russell, Officer-in-Com-mand of the New Zealand Forces, and President of the N.Z. R.S.A. was touring the South Island, and the Hokitika Association had invited him to visit the West Coast. It was decided to extend an invitation to Sir Andrew, to visit Greymouth. Referring to Flock House, the Chairman stated that it was the Association’s year to send a lad to Flock House, and he asked that any member having a son whom he desired should be trained in farming, notify the secretary. The lad would receive eight months’ tuition at Flock House, the expense of his keep being met by the Association, which contributed approximately £26, the Government subsidising that amount. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr A. Weaver, for his services rendered as an executive officer, during the past .eight years, Mr Weaver declining nomination for the ensuing year.

It was left to a committee comprising Messrs O. McLean (convener), McKane, Ryan and Herring, to make arrangements for the sale of poppies, within the next few days. The offer of Mr W. D. Murray, to decorate his shop window in Albert Street, and sell poppies for the Association, without incurring the R.S.A. any expense, was accepted, with thanks. The services for Anzac. Day, were arranged, as in previous years. The Chairman stated that there had been a request from the Civic Band, tha<- they be allowed to participate in the principal Anzac Day service at the Town Hall, Greymouth. Mr McKane stated that he had no objection to the Civic Baud being granted permission, but it must be understood that the Greymouth Municipal Band was the official band at Anzac Day services in the Town Hall, and they could not be passed over. Personally, he would welcome the Civic Band if it cared to join in the march from the 'town Hall to the Cenotaph. Mr W. Inglis asked permission for the Runanga Pipe Band, to take part in the Anzac Day parade of exsoldiers. *

The Chairman replied that the band would be welcome, but the Municipal Band would have to take the lead. Mr O. McLean: That would never do. A pipe band would never give way to a brass band. The pipe band always leads. (Laughter). Mr Ryan suggested that the Municipal Band be asked to play in the march, and at the service, as in former years, and that the Civic Band be invited to join in the march.

Mr J. Jackson: Both bands are at loggerheads. If one plays, the other will not.

The Chairman: Well, we are not entering into a band controversy here. Mr Herring stated that the Municipal Band was recognised as the official band, and the R.S.A. placed upon them the responsibility for providing the music at the Anzac Day main service. He moved that theCx--- Band, and the Runanga Pipe Band, approach the conductor of the Municipal Band, to ascertain whether the Municipal Band was agreeable to the others taking part in the main service.

Mr Inglis: 1 don’t think it is fair. The Civic Band is as much entitled to take part in the service as is the Municipal Band. The motion was seconded, and carried unanimously. Mr Herring referred to the valuable work as Secretary, carried, out by Mr T. P. Ryan, whom, the speaker added, would never agree to accept any practical recognition of his services. The many letters that Mr Ryan had to deal with, on Association business, and the interviews he had to conduct with members, and exservicemen from outside districts, required much of his time. He had proved himself an excellent secretary, and it was fortunate for the Association that it had been able to retain Mr Ryan in that position. Mr Herring asked the .consent of the meeting, to the executive making a small presentation to Mr Ryan, at some future date. A motion to that effect was carried unanimously. Mr Ryan stated that if the Association felt it could afford to make a presentation, then the President was the man most entitled to recognition. Mr McKane had as many callers as had the speaker, and as much work to do, in Association matters. A committee was set up to attend to the arrangements for the annual re-union, to be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, next Tuesday evening. A vote of thanks to the Press, moved, by the Chairman, who stated (hat the Press of Greymouth had been of great service to the Association, was carried by acclamation.