RETURNED SOLDIERS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 24 April 1935, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS

IPATEA ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The Patea Returned Soldiers’ Association held its annual meeting in the Patea Town , Hail supper room on \YednesdayMast -when there were approximately lOi) present, including the Mayor (Mr E. Rams bottom), .Mr A. Gorton; (assistant secretary at ; Dominion' headquarters), Captain Wales (exNew Zealand .Staff Corps) and .representatives from Hawkes Bay? Auckland and Hawera. The' president (Dr W. T. Simmons) welcomed the visiters and expressed a hope that, all would spend an enjoyable /evening. In proposing that the balance-sheet be taken as read, Dr Simmons complimented the association on the healthy state of its finances. Mr Langsiow endorsed the president ’ s remarks and said that the essociatioh’s membership had increased by nearly 100 per cent., Which reflected great credit on the committee and Mr A. A. Carey, whose work as secretary had been Untiring and worthy of much praise. ” The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Dr W. T. Simmons; vice-presidents, Messrs R. W. Haddow and. F/ S. McKenna; committee, Messrs G. ,P. Pettigrew, C. Martin, H. Palmer," A. H. Langsiow, H. Par- | sons, N. R. Coacl, J. Cunningham, T. E. Roberts, A. J. Leigh, ,E. Fitzwater, R/ Hurley, L. jP./Clark, P. Goile, J. T. "Pro,id> and O. T. Hill; secretary, Mr A. A. Carey; auditor, Mr G. P. Pettigrew; solicitor, Mr T. Roberts. "A vote of thanks was accorded Mr 'Haddow for his efforts on behalf of the association and his generosity in always putting the supper room at the disposal of niembers for meetings free of’charge. The Mayor thanked the members for their invitation ,to be present and congratulated them on the state of tlieir finances, which he said reflected great credit on the executive. He said he had always admired the local men on Anzac Day for their good attendance. He was proud of the loyalty and comradeship always shown in Patea. Mr Haddow outlined .the programme for Anzac Day and appealed to all to parade at 1 p.m. in mufti and niedais. He informed members of the generous offer of the members of the Women’s Institute to entertain members and their wives- in the town'hall supper room at afternoon tea after the parade. Mr Gorton, in an address, .said .that headquarters regarded Patea as one of the “baby” associations on account of its being in existence less than two years. He was both surprised and pleased at the progress made in such a short time and he considered that the local executive and secretary had carried out their duties well. He referred to the matter of pensions and the Bill which the New Zealand executive was submitting to Parliament to make provision for prematurely aged ex-servicemen. At the close of the address the meeting took the form of a re-union when the following toasts were honoured: “The King,” proposed by the president- “Absent Comrades, 7 ’ proposed by DT Simmons; “The .Navy,” Mr Haddow—Mi*. L. P. Clark; “The Army/ Mr J. Gunnison—Captain Wales; “The R.5.A.,” Mr F. Locker—Mr Gorton; “Our Guests, ’’ Mr McKenna— responded to by the guests present; “The "Ladies,”* proposed by Mr Mitchell; “The Press,” proposed by Mr G. R. Taylor. Songs were sung by Mr A. H. Langsiow and other items given by Messrs -E. -T. Fitzwater and JR. Douglas.