HOKITIKA R.S.A.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1934, Page 4

HOKITIKA R.S.A.

MONTHLY EXECUTIVE MEETING.

. The monthly meeting of the Hokitika branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last evening when there were present, Messrs W„ E. Brown (president), R. Paterson, C. Hart, W. F. Ashley, P. R, Whitford, G. A. King, J. L. MenzieSj.J. N. Robinson, A. C. Armstrong, T.. Lynch, Thornhill Cooper T. Stuart, and G. Gilchrist. The secretary of the Flock House scheme wrote advising arrangements are complete:forrthe. transport and outfitting of G. A. Thompson, 0 f Ross, who who will leave for Greatford on January 8. The Headmasters of all schools under the jurisdiction of the various Education Boards throughout the Dominion had been circularised drawing the ! attention of pupils leaving school this year, who are the sons of Returned Soldiers, to the; advantages of training at Flock House and subsequent farm meployment, and anticipating, that, as a result thereof, inquiries l may. be made by prospective applicants.. The Ross sub-branch wrote advising the amount of money .spent on subsidised work in. Ross for- the last twelve

months was £l7/12/-; also that their present membership is 25 members and 4 honorary members-. The sum of £lO was enclosed for art union tickets sold.

Headquarters advised that Hokitika at 31st October, was 28th on the national membership ladder, the total being 18,060 members. The present, membership of the Hokitika branch is 172. No return was received from Waimate or Greymouth branches with whom this branch has a membership competition.

Headquarters advised that the'-Nat-ional War Funds Council had made a national grant for November of £IOBO, toward the relief of distress arising out of unemployment, and' that a sum of £6 had been allocated to the Hokitika Patriotic Association. 1

-The Auckland branch requested the support of this .branch in an appeal to the Government to set up a commission to inquire into the administration of the various war funds, viz: The National War Funds, Canteen Funds, Red Cross Funds and Patriotic Funds, in an effort to ohtain a co-ordination of effort and centralising of administration, and alleging*; in many casqs, a shocking and scandalous waste of moneys sub-

scribed for the benefit of the men. who served in the Great War, and their de, pendents. - . In view of the allegations contained in the letter* it was decided to support the action of the Auckland R.S.A. and request Headquarters, to press for a Government investigation of the whole

of the various war funds administration* The following, new members were elected, J. Adamson (Harihari), T. M. Haddock (Ross), E. Walsli (Wataroa). It was decided to distribute the usual Christmas parcels to ex-soldiers wno

are mental patients. Details of the usual Christinas Tree party for ex-soldiers’.children on December. 19, were finalised. . Arrangements were disbussed fbr • participation in tlie Jubilee procession' on December 27, and a'committee was formed to organise a float for the pose of the sale of art' union tickets. - ' The President reported he had receiv- ; ed a letter from General Russell regret-

ting that he was"unable to accompany General Godlev on his visit to the Coast but hoped the Diggers would co-operate in extending a hearty welcome to their , old general. H e also reported that Brigadier-General Aleldrum had expressed a keen desire to be present on

that occasion. The secretary advised lie had communicated with Greymouth Association and its sub-branches in an effort to arrange a special train to Hokitika to convey members to the smoke concert. From "reports received it was ; anticipated there would be a large and representative gathering in the Soldiers’ Hall on January 23 to extend a welcome to tlie distinguished visitor