RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4459, 29 January 1917, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION.

MEETING ON SATURDAY. A general meeting of the Returned Soldiers Association was held on Saturday afternoon. Captain W. T. Pitt presided and there was an attendanceof about 25 members. Correspondence was read from headquarters. 'Wellington, giving details of a big scheme for raising finance for the Association, including the holding of an Art Union for one of Sappe/ Moore-Jones’s famous Anzac Pictures, a tour of the Dominion by Sapper Moore-Joncs with the pictures, which he displayed at Buckingham Palace by command .of His Majesty, the sale of War Album, etc. Hcadouarters stated that in order to raise finance to put tliis scheme in operation, it purposed issuing a number of £5 debentures bearing interest at the rate of 5 percent, per annum, for a maximum term of five years. It asked the local branch to endeavour to dispose of ten of these debentures. 1

The proposal was heartily received, and amid applause the ten debentures were taken up in the room in a few minutes.

The Chairman gave details of the proposed re-constitution of the Citizens’ Defence Committee. Captain Pitt Was unanimously re-elected to represent the Association on the Committee.

A proposal that the Association should undertake a campaign to acquire a site and construct a permanent club for returned soldiers was fully discussed and it was unanimously decided to affirm the proposal. A strong working committee was set up to go into details and arrange a plan of campaign, which is to he commenced forthwith. Several offers ol outside assistance were mentioned.

Opportunity was taken during the meeting to present to Private A\ . H. Rang! the medal which lie won recently in connection with the Association's billiard championship. It was decided that at least three members of the Association should moot all returning soldiers and visit soldiers ]n Hie hospital. A register of members, to do duty alternately for a fortnight at a time was drawn up and approved. A large framed photograph of the New Zealand graves at Malta was presented by Airs T. A. Crawford, ( and a striking likeness in oils of General Birdwood was received from Messrs Johns and Howell —Cordials tlianns were recorded to the generous donors.

Other matters of details hi connection with the Association s working wore discussed and the meeting concluded with the usual vote of thanks to the chair.