NEW PRESIDENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22316, 29 April 1947, Page 6

NEW PRESIDENT

RUATORIA R.S.A. MR. TAPLIN’S RECORD 19 YEARS IN OFFICE (Herald Correspondent.) Following the Anzac Day memorial service, the Ruatoria branch of the Gisborne Returned Servicemen's Association held its nineteenth annual meeting. The branch now has a financial membership of 115. There was a good attendance of members at the meeting. Mr. J. 11. Taplin presided. The non-rcceipt to date of war service medals tor the recent conflict was brought up by several of the veterans. The opinion was expressed that the new committee should endeavour to hurry the matter on. ~ Returns to hand from the distribution of poppies in the district totalled £3O. The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr. J. McCredie: vice-presi-dents, Messrs. G. Mead. R. Kemp, J. C. Reedy: committee. Messrs. J. Penfold, A. D. Eruce. W. J. Smyth, H. W. B. Patterson. L. Mackey, R. Ford. J. Barton, and C. Varley; acting-secretary, Mr. J. Lynch. Owing to health reasons, the president, Mr. J. H. Taplin, was unable to continue office. Mr. Taplin has held this position since the inception of the branch in 1D23 and was chiefly instrumental in its lormation. A tribute to the untiring energy and enthusiasm, time and hand work rendered by Mr. Taplin in the interests of returned servicemen over the years was paid by Messrs. Barrett and R. Ford. This tribute was fully and heartily endorsed by all members of the branch. In addition to the many arduous duties he has carried out as president of the Returned Services’ Association, Mr. Taplin undertook many activities as chairman oi the Ruatoria Patriotic Committee during and aiter the war. Mr. Taplin also represented the R.S A. on the rehabilitation and Ruatoria Chamber of Commerce committees. A motion of hearty thanks and appreciation to Mr Taplin for his work in the interests of returned servicemen was passed and the hope expressed that he would soon be able to resume his active association with the organisation. At the request of the committee. Mr. Taplin agreed to attend committee meetings whenever he may be required in an advisory capacity, and also to retain his membersnip on the rehabilitation committee. Mr. Taplin, in acknowledging the tributes paid to him, said that without the assistance of the successive executive committees throughout the past 19 years his position as president would have been a great deal more onerous. He hoped that the same strong support would be tendered to Mr. McCredie. One of Mr. Taplin’s last duties in his official capacity was one which he has always carried out with the greatest devotion and care —the distribution of wreaths and floral emblems to the various soldiers’ resting places and memorials thoughout the district,