MEETING

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 June 1936, Page 12

MEETING

HOKITIKA R.S.A. HOKITIKA, June 30. The executive of the Hokitika R.S.A. mot last evening. Present: Messrs W. E. Brown (President), R. Paterson (secretary), W. Eastgate. T Cooper, !•’. McGregor, A. C. Armstrong, A. Samson, G. A. King. WCropp, P. R. Whitford, C. Hart, F. Millen, and J. L. Menzies.

Mr O. L. Ferens, Secretary of the Dunedin R.S.A. and also a member of the Dominion Council, was also

present. The annual account from the Australasian Performing Rights Association was received and it was resolved to allow it to lie on the table.

The purchase of the piano for the hall was confirmed. It was decided to place the new piano in the hall and the old instrument to be placed in the refreshment room.

It was decided to request the general secretary to purchase a replica of the Memorial Plaque to the Million Dead, which is to he hung in the hall.

It was decided to ask the Dominion President for a photo of himself to be hung in the hall. The executive then adjourned to the quarterly general meeting at which about 30 were present. Apologies for absence were received from Mr F. Ashley and Mr G. Gilchrist.

The Kaiapoi R.S.A. wrote asking for particulars of the Hospital Association at present in force in this branch. The secretary reported that he had forwarded the necessary particulars. The secretary of the Otira Subbranch reported enrolling of new members, and requesting badges for same.

The secretary of the Ross Subbranch forwarded a report of activities.

Headquarters wrote congratulating this branch on its excellent membership, stating that the effort reflects great credit, on the executive committee.

The N.Z.R.S.A. advised that the Canteen Fund allocation for the month of April amounts to £l6, and forwarding a cheque for that amount. The amount of the national grant amounted to £l5OO. Accounts amountin gto £3/15/- were passed for payment.

The President referred to the remits that were passed at the recent conference, and gave reasons for the adopting of certain of the remits that was not clear to members generally. Mr Brown stated that Mr W. Perry presided over about one hundred delegates and he was most impressed by the business-like way in which the affairs of the conference were conducted, and stressed the importance of the holding of the annual conference. He referred tq the presence of Mr O. Jj. Kerens at the meeting, and extended to him a. hearty welcome. He pointed out that Mr Ferens was responsible for the idea of the Anzac Stamp, which had been such an outstanding success. A vote of thanks was accorded to the President for his report. Mr O. L. Ferens then addressed the meeting, and referred to the hospitality he has received since being on the Coast, and the pleasure he had derived from the meeting of many of his old friends, both in Greymouth and Hokitika. He congratulated the branch on the possession of such a fine hall, and referred to the fine gesture in the erection of a soldiers’ memorial plot in the local cemetery. He dealt with many matters of interest to ex-servicemen, mentioning particularly the War Veterans’ Allowances Act, The Flock House Scheme, the Canteen Funds, the Anzac Stamp Campaign, and the necessity for a strong membership. At the. conclusion of his address Mr J. L. Menzies moved a vote of thanks to Mr Ferens for his instructive address, it being carried by acclamation. Mr F. Millen gave a report of the soldier patients at the hospital. The meeting then adjourned for a social hour