SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS’ FUND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 28 May 1930, Page 8

SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS’ FUND

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The, annual meeting of llio Nelson Sick : : aml Wounded Soldiers’ and their Dependents’ Fund Society was held last evening. The lion. W. W. Snodgrass, M.L.G., president, .was in the chair. The. annual report stated: — “Your Advisory Hoard has pleasure in presenting the annual report for the fourteentli year of its activity. The work for winch the Society is responsible continues to serve a most useful purpose, and the assistance extended has been of considerable benefit io many returned men and their dependents in the province. The- past year has been

a very hard one for many of our men, lack of employment generally and the unsettling effect of the earthquake being contributary causes. As a consequence the appeals for assistance have been numerous, as increased expenditure shown on the balance sheet indicates.

The establishment of an Earthquake Relief Fund'has taken the bulk of the responsibility from the shoulders of the Fund, and conserved a large portion of our resources. The Poppy Day. Funds, again augmented by the Nelson City Council, have provided employment for a good many returned men, and proved a very welcome relief during the slack period of (he year. The control of this

fund is vested in. the local Returned Soldiers’ Association and the City Council. The monthly’meetings of the Board continue, to be necessary, and are well attended. The thanks of the ’Society arc duo to the country members of the Advisory Board for their invaluable assistance in investigating cases in. the remote parts of their respective districts,' and the promptness with which help is accorded vyhero the circumstances aro found necessitous. The matter of establishing war disability with the Pensions Department is one which the Returned Soldiers’ Association takes in hand. fend it is pleasing to be able to record the close co-operation of the Association and our Society.,together with the Red Cyoss Society, in bringing about a satisfactory issue.' The treatment of ..cases of eximperial' Soldiers is still managed

through the War FundsfCouncil, - and during The period Under review many of these men. have bpen assisted to find emrilovinent. The Hon. W. W. Snodgrass, M.L.C., acts'as the Society's representative on tlic War Funds Council. Soldiers in Hospital continue To be provided with small extras,_ and numerous expressions of appreciation have been received of the kindly attentions of our la civ visitor, Mrs Watson, and the staff of 'the hosoital. Mr Vcrcoo and the Hon. W. [W. Snodgrass also visit the soldier patients in hospital, and are able to learn at. first hand the needs 6f the

men. whilst in the mental division Dr. Jeffries lias watched the Interests of our men under his care. Your Advisory Board desires to express its appreciation of the cordial relations wljicli exist between. the kindred societies of the Dominion, the Wav Funds Council, the Pensions Department, and the Press. Tn conclusion, , your Advisory Board fully realises that the work entailed in administering the Fund becomes, more exacting as time goes on, and it is

pleasing to note in this connection ,thc sustained interest of those who have taken part over the whole period of,, fourteen years. Criticism of the administration has been a negligible quantity, and the few rare instances that have occurred have been completely and satisfactorily answered. The knowledge gained by experience has enabled those actively engaged to deal with all matters with that sympathetic discretion which characterises .hinqrtenHis :of the work done by the Board. It is fervently hoped that those who /have ’ shouldered the task will he long spared to continue giving of their best to aid the men who did so much during the very critical period in the nation’s history, and who are now meeting with adversity from varying causes.”

TREASURER’S STATEMENT The following report of the treasurer (Mr A. B. Kidsou) was submitted:— “The Society’s investments at jparket value now'ampunt io 512,154 12s 7d, as against £13,463 4s 6d as at 31st March, 15)29, a reduction of £I3OB 11s lid. Tho reduction in the investments is due to the payments to the Advisory Board, and additional provision for depreciation of investments. The total assets of (he Societv now amount to £14.209 3s Id after allowing £520 for. depreciation of investments, as against lOd at the 31st March, 1929, a reduction of £1389 2s 9d. The payments to soldiers aiid their dependents for the year amounted to £1633 7s lid, as against £15,07 6s for the previous year. Administration expenses amounted to £214 14s. as against. £220 3s Id for the year ended 31st March, 1929. Tn moving the adoption of the report the chairman briefly reviewed the work of the year as outlined. It was satisfactory to know that when the funds of the' Society were exhausted there would still he money available to carry on the work. Mr Tlarley. pointed put. that although the claims oil the Societv were becoming less, those made.required much more financial-assistance than formerly. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. , ~T n The Hon. W. TV. Snodgrass, M.L.C., was re-elected president for the ensuing

' After the president hat] returned thanks, (lurin'* the course of which ho recalled that ho had been associated with not.viotic societies since 4th August-, 1914. the meeting terminated.