RETURNED SOLDIERS

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4956, 16 February 1937, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS

QUARTERLY MEETING. The general quarterly meeting .of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held in the R.S.A. Rooms on Saturday last. The attendance was fair, many members being away on holidays. The president reported as follows: — Membership.—l am pleased to report that the membership of this Association now stands at 322. For the year ended 1935-36 the membership was 312. In addition to the 322 it will be rememberd that 25 members from Waimiha sub-branch transferred to the Taumarunui Association. Deceased Members. —Since the last quarterly meeting two more members have gone West, namely, F. J. Simmonds and A. W. Lawrence —both being members for several years. Pensions. —It is pleasing to report that all cases placed before the Board have been granted pensions and increased pensions granted in some cases. Memorial. —It has been decided by your Executive Committee that the surroundings of the War Memorial are most unsuitable. A deputation is to wait on the Borough Council with a view to having many improvements made.

Cemetery.—lt has been suggested that the Returned Soldiers’ Association should have their own section at the local cemetery. With this in view a deputation waited on the Council, and the portion of the cemetery that would be most suitable was placed before the Council for consideration. It is to be regretted that this portion was not granted, but another section at the back of the cemetery was allocated. A further deputation is to wait on the Council asking that the position be reviewed. Hospital Visits. —Several visits were paid to the local hospital and exsoldiers given fruit, tobacco, etc. One returned soldier who is an inmate of the Evelyn Firth Home, is progressing favourably.