EX-SERVICE COLUMN

Northern Advocate, 24 September 1949, Page 3

EX-SERVICE COLUMN

Conducted by L. S. Pitcher

Clubroom Contract

Final approval for the contract accepted provisionally by the Club Property Committee for the Construction of a clubroom on the property in Rust Avenue, was granted by a special general meeting of the Whangarei RSA on Thursday. This is the last step in the negotiations which must be carried out before work can be commenced by the contracting firm, the Tapper Construction Co., Ltd. This is the end of the long Diamond Trail which bsgan 12 months ago when a tentative plan was drawn up by Messrs D. B. Haigh, R. A. Rogers and A. P. Morgan. Much as the gentlemen concerned dislike publicity, the names of Messrs Haigh. Rogers and Morgan must always be remembered as the prime movers in the broad conception of a home of which the RSA can be proud. BELOW ESTIMATE. The president (Mr F. C. Eyles i has been untiring in his efforts to secure a home for the club, but the actual spade work was carried out by these three men. It was stated at the meeting that a figure of £SOOO had been budgeted for. and the contract price of £4300 was gratifyingly below that amount. The £SOOO, incidentally. Is available on mortgage, and. while only £3OO is held in cash, further sums are expected to be received. The Women's Section is undertaking to run a bring and buy to assist m finances.

“These women are doing a great job in their own quiet way. and they deserve every support." said Mr F. C. Eylcs. Another group of returned men is doing a good job out at Ruatangata, Mr Eyles said. These men intend holding a dance on October 15 in the Ruatangata Hall, and Mr Eyles commended their effort as being worthy of the support of all returned men. OTHER ASSISTANCE. Even at £4300. and allowing for further donations, which arc expected the story is not complete, as Messrs Tapper Construction have listed all sub-contractors’ estimates separately at the standard prices ruling for the particular class of work. These sub-contractors have submitted special quotes, while a group of plumbing tradesmen employed by David Wilson, Ltd., have offered to do the plumbing, in Mr Eyles’ words “Backsheesh.”

This offer, combined with the saving on the special quotes, will make a considerable difference to the final price and wiL allow for a certain amount of leeway and in<- : ’ental expenses. The job. when corny.eted, carries a Government subsidy in cash of £I2OO.

Whangarei Air Force

“While servicemen in Whangarei are well catered for in their various service organisations I still feel there is a place for the Air Force Association to perpetuate the associations of. service days,” said the president of the Whangarei branch of the Air Force Association (Mr J. I. Beckett) in his annual report presented this week. Mr Beckett said that, in common with many other similar organisations which had commenced with consider able enthusiasm immediately after the war, flic AFA had suffered from a drop in membership, as problems of rehabilitation and other interests took more of the members' tune. The transfer of several enthusiastic and valued members further depleted the numbers and, for a while, the outlook appeared poor. During the year, however, the association conducted a number of mixed socials, in conjunction with the 2nd NZEF Association, and as these had proved very popular, it was considered worthwhile carrying on, even if only for the social advantages of having such a means of meeting old friends. As it was the unanimous decision of the meeting that with those of the originals who had maintained their interest in the organisation, together with new members who had indicated their intention of joining, a strong branch could be built up once more. It was decided that members would be contacted and informed of the next social, which would be held oil October 7. Officers elected for the 1949-50 year were: President, Mr L. S. Pitcher; ecretary-treasurer, Mr I. a. J. Woods; committee. Messrs E. Hewit, E. Symons. N. Atkins. J. Beckett, P. Walker and D. Cameron.

In Four Services

Lists of awards for service in the 1939-45 war arc being published by the British Forces. Mr and Mrs G. H. Morrish, of Whangarei. have been informed by their son. Mr E. V. Morrish. who is living in London, that he ha: received his campaign si rs for the war. Mr Morrish served in the New Zealand Second Division, going overseas with the First Echelon, the merchant navy in the Pacific and Atlantic, at the Imiralty torpedo factory in Glasgow, and then the Royal Navy as a petty officer in the destroyer Daffodil He received a letter with his awards stating: “By command of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the secretaary has the honour to transmit the enclosed awards for service during the 1939-45 war: 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Defence Medal, and War Medal 1939-45.”

Continue to sow seed of annuals.