RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 April 1927, Page 3

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

SOUTH TARANAKI ASSOCIATION

MEMBERS’ ANNUAL MEETING. Thirty members were in 'attendance at the annual general meeting of the South Taranaki Returned Soldiers’ Association, held la,st evening in the Soldiers’ Club, Hawera. The retiring president (Mr M. CL Crighton) occupied the chair.

“The executive is in the very happy position of being able to report an encouraging increase in membership, said the chairman in moving the adoption of the report (already published), and balance-sheet. “From 153. at the commencement of the year, the number has risen toj 202. One feature that is particularly gratifying is that- the association’s delegate to the Dominion conference will now have the right to exercise t-WO 1 : votes.”

The speaker referred to the satisfactory financial position,, there being a balance of assets over liabilities of £97 4s. The president analysed the balancesheet, giving details concerning various accounts. The work of the executive had been particularly heavy during the year. Sixteen meetings had been called, instead of the usual twelve. The association was still meeting with numbers of cases of men. who, though discharged “fit A,’.’ were breaking down in health as the result primarily of war service. The numbers were increasing. In supporting claims for pensions, the executive hiad found the department willing tO' give* consideration according to the particular merits, and in the majority of cases was meeting the association more than half way. Mr. 1). H. Briggs seconded the motion, and the- report and balance-sheet were adopted without discussion. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Office-bearers were elected as follow: President, Mr. M. O. (Brighton (re-elect-ed) ; lion, treasurer, Mr. W. F. Morrissey (re-elected); lion secretary, Mr 11. McCay (re-elected); lion. auditors, Messrs C. H. Suisted and G. A. Duncan (re-elected); executive committee, Messrs FI. S. Maslin, M. 11. Jones, D. H. Briggs (re-elected), and W. V. Patterson, S. 11. Veitcli and W. FI. Corkill club management committee, Messrs \V. F. Morrissey, 11. McCay (re-elected), I>. IF. Briggs; sociav committee. Miss Balkiiitino, Messrs D. FI. Briggs, 11. Molla-rd, D. Burgess, 11. Alien (re-elect-ed), M, 11. Jones, F. Ilae, EL 11. Hardley, M. Squire, A. L. Palmer, EL H. S. Piper, W. FI. James. SER VICES A PPUBOIATED.

In moving that an honorarium ot thirty guineas be voted to the -secretary (Mr. R. McCay), the president made eulogistic reference to the services rendered in the office by Mr McCay since he was appointee! in September, 1924. When Mr McCay had been appointed the membership stood at- 90, but, owing largely to lii,s enthusiasm, the roll now numbered 202. The promptitude with which lie had dealt with routine affairs, and supplied necessary returns, Ijid formed the subject of complimentary reference from Dominion headquarters, where Mr McCay was esteemed as highly as he was among liis own associate members. The financial credit of the association was practically nil when Mr McCay took office, but now the surplus of assets over liabilities amounted to over £9O. In addition to liis general duties, Mr McCay had given valued service to the affairs of the club. The motion was seconded by Mj- D. IT. Briggs, and carried by acclamation. CONFERENCE REM ITS. (,)n the recommendation of the executive the following remits to the Dominion conference were approved : ( “That the N.Z.11.5.A. urges upon the Government the advisability oi granting a full, pension, plus economic. and dependants (if any), to- all patients discharged from a hospital for a period of twelve months from the date of discharge.” “That the N.Z.11.5.A. recommends that railway warrants for pensioners travelling for medical examination oi treatment be issued on the basis of the soldiers’ physical disability, and not army rank." ANNUAL RE-UNION.

On the motion of Mr. I). H. Briggs, tho executive committee was recommended to organise a re-umou gathering on the lines adopted last year, and that June Z'Z be lixed as tlie date. Messrs H. S. Ma*-lin, L. 1. Alarter, AV. F. Morrissey, All O. Crigbton, M. J. Squire, l>. Id. Briggs and AV. H. Corkill were appointed as an organising committee GENERAL. On the motion of Air. H. A r . Ratterson, a recommendation was made to tlie eommitteo controlling Anzac Day arrangements that the service bo held on the showgrounds if weather permits. A'otes of thanks were accorded the outgoing officers, the club caretaker (Air. H. Edwards) ; the Hawera Borough Council, the AVamen’s National Reserve, anti the i Electric Eight Co. (for the caring for the memorial) ; and to the chairman and the press.