R. S. A.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 23 April 1926, Page 4

R. S. A.

SOUTH TARANAKI BRANCH. ANNUAL MEETING. The ninth annual meeting of the South Taranaki Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last night, the acting-president, Air. M. C. Crichton, occupying the chair. There was an attendance of 27.

lii moving the adoption of the annual report (already published) the chairman drew attention to the increasing number of cases of disability among returned soldiers, and impressed on those present the necessity of sticking to the association, thereby assisting to alleviate the needs of their less fortunate comrades. The Poppy Day fund had proved a material benefit to returned soldiers and their dependents in South Taranaki, and should be maintained. He also referred to the increased membership, and paid a tribute to the secretary for his efforts in this direction.

The report, with the balance-sheet, was adopted without comment.

A letter was received from the general secretary of the R.S.A., congratulating the South Taranaki branch on its healthy financial position The election of officers and committees for the ensuing year resulted as follows: President. Mr. M. O. Crichton ; lion, treasurer, Mr. AY. F. Morrissey (re-elected); lion, secretary. Mr. R. McCay (re-elected); executive, Aressrs D. H. Briggs, D. Burgess, G. Hayton, E. R Hardley A M. R. Jones, and S. Muslin; house committee, Messrs D. Burgess, AV. T. Morrissey, and R. McCay; social committee, Miss Ballantvne, Messrs D. H. Briggs, D. Burgess, R. Allen, M. R. Jones, S. Maslin, H L. Spratt, F. Latham, G. Hayton, E. H. Piper, and 8. Hoilard. Messrs C. H. Suisted and G. A. Duncan were unanimously re-elected lion, auditors.

An honorarium of 25 guineas was voted to the secretary, for his past vear’s services ANZAC DAY.

The chairman announced that arrangements had been made for the observance of Auzae Day by a parade, a combined service at the Opera House, provision for an overflow meeting at the clubhouse, and the usual ceremony at the Memorial Arch. GENERAL.

Tt was decided to hold a reunion in the form of a smoke concert, open to all returned soldiers, on a date to be fixed.

On the motion of Mr. Briggs, a recommendation is to be made to the executive that an Ri.S.A. Rifle Club be inaugurated. It was resolved that letters of appreciation be forwarded to the AYomen’s National Reserve and the Borough Council for the care bestowed by these bodies on the Memorial Arch, also to the Hawera Countv Electric Company for the free lighting of same. Appreciative reference was made and votes of thanks were accorded to the Women’s National Reserve, the actingpresident, the retiring officers, and the club custodian for valued services rendered during the past year. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.