RUNANGA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 April 1936, Page 12

RUNANGA NOTES

[OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] The half-yearly meeting of members of the Runanga Society was held in the Gymnasium Hall last evening, Mr. G. Millar presiding over an attendance of about 70 members In the Committee’s half-yearly report, a slight decrease in sales is recorded, the total sates amounting to £19,624/10/3, as against £19,953/lb/for the previous half-year. Each department showed a small decrease. The capital stands at £8,456/1/11, an increase of £167/4/9. Investments stand at £6,712/11/3 less allowance for depreciation £3OO. The present membership is 498, a decrease of one. The surplus after allo est and depreciation is £1,655/13/b, and this will be distributed by t e payment of a. dividend ot 2/- m the pound on purchases. The oveihea expenses showed a slight reduction at 14 per cent. Outstanding accounts show a slight increase. The report, was received as satisfactoiy. The vice-president, three committeemen and one trustee were due to re-

tire and the following were appointed: >. vice-president, Mr. F. Wylde (unopposed); committeemen, Messrs Y. Rutherford, F. Oakley, and W. Duggan; trustee, Mr. G. English (unop-1 P °At the conclusion of the half-yearly meeting, a special meeting was held to determine whether any alteiation would be made to No. 16 ot the Society’s rules. The committee had appointed a sub-committee to review the rules, and they presented a recommendation for the revision of the rule, but after a discussion, it was decided that the matter be referred back to the committee, and if they saw fit to •bring it before a general meeting, the members be first circularised, setting out the present and proposed rule lor consideration of members. The new rule concerns the appointment and discharge of staff, and prevents persons being appointed to the committee who are related to any membei of the staff, or who, for their own livelihood do business in lines competitive with the Society. There was • a fair attendance last evening at the meeting called to discuss the proposed re-organisation ot the Runanga Municipal Band. Mr F. Duggan, Deputy Mayor, presided. Members of the old Band present, expressed the opinion that if they could build a hall of their own, no difficulty would be experienced in reorganising the Band. There weie at present a number of Runanga bandsmen who belonged to the Greymouth Band and they were willing to join. The Band has a set of instruments, and with the provision of a hall for practices? and dances a good Band could be formed. The R.S.A. have a proposal, whereby one hall could be built by both bodies for their combined use, and it was decided by the nteeting that Messrs. G. Kerr and R. Smith meet the members of the R.S.A. to discuss the proposal. The secretary of the old Band reported that there is a credit balance .of about £2O in the Band’s funds. One suggested method of raising funds was the issue of shares of £1 each to persons interested in the Band, it being estimated that about £2OO would be required for a hall. It was decided that the secretary'call a meeting of Bandsmen to find what number would be willing to join. A Harvest Thanksgiving Service was held in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday, and there was a good congregation. The Church was specially decorated with the fruits of harvest, which were given by Mesdames Douglas, Rafferty and A. Ward. Mr. Bruerton gave an appropriate address. The soloist was Mrs. Shackley and the organist Miss Tyson. The annual meeting of the Runanga Branch of the R.S.A. was held in the Miners’ Hall, on Sunday morning. Mr. G. English presiding over a good attendance of members. The report, and balance sheet showing improvement on last year, were adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing term resulted: —President, G. English; vice-president, A. O. Warwick; treasurer, L. O. O’Loughlin; -secretary, . A. O’Neill; auditor, F. Bassendale; committee, F. Critchley, .1. Smith. .1. Davey, W. Pendlebury, .1. Welch. The chairman welcomed Mr. A. 1-1. MeKahe, President of the Grey Centre of the R.S.A., congratulating him on his recovery to health. Mr. McKane, in responding, congratulated - the branch upon its steadily increasing membership i\nd also upon the foundation policy pursued. Dealing with the visit to New Zealand of the delegate from the British. Imperial War Pensions, Mr. McKane stressed the fact that he was- tai from satisfied with the resulting outcome of this gentleman’s visit as th? policy being adopted is one of an extremely farcical nature. After a general discussion, tne following remit was framed, to be forwarded through the proper channels, “That we resent the implied farcical insult to the ex-imperial soldiers resident in New Zealand and that we urge the New Zealand Council of the R.S.A. to immediately communicate with the British authorities regarding ' a satisfactory remedy.” It was decided that the incoming executive meet on Wednesday to consider ways and means for the building of a hall. The annual reunion takes place on Friday, April 17.