RETURNED SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19929, 24 April 1928, Page 12

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

BAY OF PLENTY DISTRICT. ACTIVITIES DURING YEAR. [|3Y TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TAURANGi# Monday. The annual meeting of the Western Bay of Plenty Returned Soldiers' Association was presided over by Mr. L. R. Wilkin-

The report stated that the War Pensions Board sat in Tauranga in February, and many pensioners were examined. Four active members died during the year, namely, Messrs. N. W. Munro, F. W. Fergusson, R. R. Turner and J. Donnelly, also a veteran of the Maori War, Mr. J. 11. Griffiths. The balance-sheet disclosed a credit of about £ls, with an excess of assets over liabilities of £233.

It was agreed that a recommendation bo submitted to the executive committee that the money in credit in the building fund, amounting to £59, be transferred to the distress and unemploymeut fund. Officers were elected as follows: —Hon. president, Mr. F. A. Wilson; president, Mr. L. R. Wilkinson; vice-presidents, Messrs. G. Cawte and F. A. Stevens; secretary, Mr. W. A. S. London; hon. treasurer, Mr. D. P. Lloyd; hon. auditor, Mr. R. L. Thomas; committee, Messrs. J. H. Garrett, C. G. Lasenby, P. Lumley, A. -Frires, D. P. Lloyd, W. H. Seal, W. G. Isles, W. Norris, H. D. Stevens, F. Robinson, P. G. Mcintosh and V. J. Scantlebury. A combined memorial service will be held in the Town Hall on the afternoon of Anzac Day, when veterans, returned soldiers, territorials, cadets, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts ana others will march from the school to the Town Hall. GATHERING AT OTAHUHTJ. ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT. The third annual smoke concert of the Otahuhu Returned Soldiers' Association was held on Saturday evening, the president, the Rev. C. B. W. Seton, presiding over a large attendance. The chairman said that as a result of the Poppy Day sales in Otahuhu and Papatoetoe the sum of £lO3 was raised, of which 80 per cent, was retained by the association for use in the relief of distress •in the combined districts, and 20 per cent, was given to the Voterans' Home. A certain firm at Westfield had refused permission to the women collectors and himself to go among the employees during working hours to sell poppies. No reason for the refusal was given, and ho personally considered the action taken by the management was most regrettable. The following toast-list was honoured: The Army and Navy, proposed by Mr. R. W. F. Wood and replied to by Sergeant-Major Brant; Kindred Organisations, proposed by Mr. R. Baskett and replied to by Mr. H. Lovell; The Ladies, proposed by* Mr. K. Lippiatt and replied to by Mr. A. Dinnison; The Visitors, proposed by Mr. H. Fearnly and replied to by Mr R. B. Todd, Mayor of Otahuhu. The secretary, in presenting the annual report, said that during the year many genuine cases of distress among returned soldiers. had been assisted, and several members had been helped over periods of financial difficulty. The membership of the club Was 110.

A programme of musical items was given during the evening, those taking part being Mr. A. Allen. Mr. H. Hall, Mr. E. Dale, Mr. E. O'Brien, Mr. Ned Fort, and an orchestra conducted by Mr. W. S. Turner,;