GREY R.S.A.

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1945, Page 7

GREY R.S.A.

SECRETARY’S ANNUAL REPORT. The Executive have to report on a very successful year’s work, states the annual report of the Secretary of the Grey branch of the R.S.A. (Mr. T. P- Ryan), presented to the annual meeting. The membership at the close of last year was 412 and at the present time stands at 548. Of that number 356 have seen service in the present war. It will be seen that the 2nd. N.Z.E.F. are keenly interested in our Association. Credit for the increase in membership is largely due to the good work of our President (Mr. O. McLean), and -Vice-Pre-sident (Mr. J. J. Crooks). The Greymouth Association, with a percentage of 64.96, present war members, wins the “Webby” Trophy for New Zealand. Our sincere thanks are due to Mr. J. McDairmid, Sexton, who attends to the graves of 123 soldiers laid to rest at Karoro. All graves were visited on Anzac Day. Your Executive has arranged for an R.S.A. plot 'in the- new cemetery. Mr. Thomas Jones made fortnightly visits to the Grey Hospital and tobacco, etc., was distributed to all servicemen patients. We are indebted to the Red Cross for joining the R.S.A. in this work, Our Vice-President, Mr. J. J. Crooks, represented us at the annual conference held in June last, and his report has been given to a general meeting. Poppy sales were a record. Our sincere thanks are due to those ladies who so willingly helped with the organising and also to the general public who generously supported the appeal. Runanga, Blackball, Brunner and Lake Brunner Sub-Associations are very active and are doing good work in their respective districts. When petrol restrictions relax we hope to make our visits more frequent. Christmas cheer was attended to as usual and over £250 was distributed to returned men and families of returned men who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances due to the rigors of war. Anzac Day and Armistice Day services were carried out as usual. Interest in the Anzac service is still maintained. Many pension cases were dealt with during the year—assessments do not altogether meet with our approval. This important matter will have the attention of the incoming committee. While dealing with this subject, I would like to express appreciation to the Registrar of Pensions, Greymouth, Mr. Richmond, his chief of staff, Mr. Wilkes, and their staff, for their assistance. Youi’ officers were extended all help possible and it is appreciated. We are also thankful to the Rehabilitation Officer and his staff for assistance to the men returned from the present conflict. A committee has for some time been investgiating sites with a view to erecting a club room. The committee has not yet finalised its investigations. The balance-sheet discloses that the Association has assets to the value of £1,150 with a bank balance of £ll3. This healthy state of affairs is due to the good work derived from “Mother Goose,” '“Navy Knights” Carnival, R.S.A. Ball, shop day and street collections. We are indeed grateful to the many workers, particularly the Ladies’ Patriotic Committee and the Red Cross V. and R-.S.A. Ladies’ Committee. The Mayor and Mayoress are always willing to help our boys. Mr. Kitchingham as controller of the Mayor’s Fund, is always sympathetic to our appeals. Numerous requests for assistance during the year have as usual, received prompt attention by the Welfare Committee, Messrs F. A. Kitchingham, F. H. Denton, F. W. Baillie and your Secretary. Your Executive is very satisfied with the treatment received, and appeal to all citizens to support the patriotic appeals. In conclusion, I wish to inform you that as your secretary, I have prepared the report solely to give two officers just praise—l refer to the President (Mr. O. McLean), and the Vice-President (Mr. J. J. Crooks). No one but myself knows of the work performed by these two officers and the thanks of the Association are due to them. To the Pipe Band, the Greymouth Municipal Band, and the Press, we thank for the year’s good work.