SOUTH TARANAKI R.S.A.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 29 April 1922, Page 8

SOUTH TARANAKI R.S.A.

9 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. There was a good attendance of members at the annual meeting in the club's rooms last evening, Mr W. V. Patterson (president) being in the chair and an attendance of over 50 being present. After the confirmation of the minutes the secretary read the report and bal-ance-sheet, which were adopted. The report dealt with all the activities of the association during the year. The subjects dealt with were as follow: Membership—Financial members total 473, 17 having come to Hawera in excess of those who have left the town. Executive—The following are the members of the Executive Committee elected at the last annual meeting: Messrs W. V. Patterson • (president), H. B. Burdekin (vice-president). E. G. Foden (treasurer), W. E. Williams, W. B. Johnstone, A. Hall, A. E. Gorton, C. W. White, H. L. Spratt, A. Chrystal (Eltham), T. W. Bridge (Manaia), E. R. Coad (Opunake), and M. C. Crighton (secretary). They have held office throughout the year. AVar Relief Association—Mr H. B. Burdekin, who has been representative and is nominated again for the position. Repatriation-r-The work has practically ceased in the district, and any members wishing to take advantage of the assistance offered should apply before June 30. The work has always gone on smoothly, and most of those assisted are making good. Mr M. Crighton is representative. War Memorial—The long delay is regretted, and it is hoped that, following on the interview with the Minister for Public Works, the police buildings will be removed and a commencement made with the memorial. , Club Finance—The furnishing committee, Messrs Patterson, Williams, Johnstone and Harrop, have considered every detail to make the premises as comfortable as possible, and their work is appreciated by all. The total available was £175, but more was required, and a collection was made, which, gathered in £31, leaving a shortage of £230 required to complete the work. This was raised by loan, and a great effort should now be made to clear it off. Association Finance—Grants had to be made by the association to help the Citizens' House Committee's funds, and this amount, it is expected, will not be a recurring expenditure. Entertainment—This committee have had their efforts frustrated by want of support from members, and it is hoped this will be forthcoming during next year. The work is very useful in fostering the social activities of the club. The entertainment on the opening of the club was much appreciated by a large assembly, and the thanks of the club are due to the organiser, Mr J. Renwick, and all helpers. Thanks—The association is indebted to Colonel Cox, commanding the -4th Regiment, for the use of the billiard table belonging to the regiment, also to his Worship the Mayor, Mr R. H. Nolan, Mr A. M. Conroy, Messrs Duffill and Gibson, Mr A.' H. Arthur, Women's National Reserve, Hawera Citizens' Band, the press, and all who ! assisted the association. The president , thanks the officers for generous support i during the year. I Soldiers'. Club—On Anzac Day, April 25, 1921, the ceremony of laying the foundation of the new Returned Soldiers' Club was performed by Mi- R. H ■ Nolan, C.8.E., in the presence of a [ large gathering of members and the i public. The building of the club was pushed on with all possible speed, and I it was officially opened by his Worship I the Mayor (Mr E. Dixon, M.P.) on December 10, 1921. Under the conditions of the Empowering Act the control of the affairs of the club was vested in a committee consisting of an equal number of representatives of the burgesses of the borough of Hawera and of the South Taranaki Returned Soldiers' Association appointed annually. This committee has been formed, and con- ; sists of Messrs W. V. Patterson (chairj man), A. K. Fyson (secretary), A. ! Hall, W. E. Williams (representing the ! g-S-A.), E. Dixon, M.P., S. Blake, E. I H. Harrop, and Mrs French (representjing the burgesses of the borough of Hawera). I The president, in moving the adop- ■ tion of the report and balance sheet, ; congratulated members on being able to meet in the new club, where they ' could now hold their annual meetings :in comfort He was pleased at the j work done during the year, and hoped I they would be m a very strong financial position next year. He would like to •bring before the people of the town : the necessity for the completion and • erection of the war memorial, which had long been daloyed, and urged the ; new* committee to keep the matter in ■ view But naturally, he added, nothing | could be done until the police station was removed. He drew attention to the conference of delegates, which was good experience, to delegates, and said that valuable work was done at the conferences, useful to the work throughout the Dominion. Mr. Burdekin drew attention to the decline in membership from 641 lastyear to 473 this year. He urged that it was essential not to lose any more members, and rather to use every effort to increase membership. He said that contrary to what was often said, the Kb.A. has not outlived its usefulness Ihe work in the past has bfen more spectacular, but from now on individual case* would be dealt with, and these would be the most difficult. It was necessary to give support to the men who had done yeoman service—such men as Dr. Boxer, Sir A. Russell, and Mr. Smith, of WelliTicrW> If +i_:_. .„

not done interest will be lost. The general secretary was always willing *° P^ess claims for any soldier in need. With numbers in support of any business when matters are put before Cabinet they carry much more weight. He appealed to members to loyally clinotogether, for there were big problems ahead. He urged all members to endeavour to get new members and to keep them all in sympathy with the movement, for solidarity was absolutely necessary for the success Of the association in the future. The statement of accounts showed the association and club to be fn a satisfactory position. The rules of the club wtere before the meeting, and in some instances were altered or amended. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. President, Mr. A. E. Gorton. Mr. Patterson intimated that he would not seek re-election, for he considered that the association's interests were best served by a change. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded him for his good work. Mr. Gorton, in taking the chair, said that he had taken a great interest in the association and the club, and felt that one could not help but take a keen interest. He said he would always do his best for the association in Hawera. Vice-president, Mr. H. Burdekin; treasurer, Mr. W. G. Walkley; committee, Messrs Hall, Poynter, Cameron Sturrock, Johnstone, and

Williams; control committee, Messrs Patterson, Fyson, and Cameron; Quick March representative, VV. A. McLachlan; hon auditors, H. Burdekin and C. Suisted; hon. solicitor, 11. L. Spratt; repatriation representative, M. C. Crighton; social committee, Messrs Taylor, J. McLachlan, Cameron, R.. Allen, Weir, Roots, E. Hardley, and Chadwick. A vote of tlianks to the retiring officers concluded a good meeting.