SOLDIERS' HALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23010, 11 April 1938, Page 13

SOLDIERS' HALL

GLEN EDEN BUILDING REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT MEMBERS PROVIDE LABOUR HON. W. PERRY'S TRIBUTE Built by voluntary labour on the part of members and supporters during their spare time over the last nine months, an imposing brick and wood social hall was opened by the Western

Suburbs Returned Soldiers' Association at Glen Eden ou Saturday afternoon. Held partly in the o|)en air and also within the new hall, the ceremony was attended by about 500 persons, many of whom commented favourably on the comfortable and neatly-appointed building.

With an engraved key, presented to him by Mr. B. McKenzie, works foreman of the New Lynn Borough Council, who planned the building and supervised its erection, the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., of Wellington, president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, declared the hall open. Ho said the building was a remarkable achievement, demonstrating that a spirit of energy, enterprise and eamaraderio still existed among the ex-servicemen of the district, who had set an example to Associations in other parts of New Zealand with their work. Rehabilitatiag Soldiers "Above all, this enterprise shows that even 20 years after the war there is still a kick left in the 'Digger,' " said Mr. Perry, who outlined the history of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association since its establishment in 1916. "The rehabilitation of soldiers has been one of the association's important functions, and you are given proof of the success of this scheme in the work 40 odd old soldiers are doing in forming a sports ground and domain out of 11 ■icros of waste land in New T/vnn.''

The president of the Western Suburbs Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr. T. A. Bishop, said the occasion marked an important milestone in the history of the work among ex-servicemen resident between the Whau Bridge and the Hclensville boundary. The branch was formed and incorporated in 1931. when eight members joined at the original meeting. At the end of the first year there were 141 members, who had increased to 515 at present, including 15 Home-service men and 25 honorary members.

'Tn seven years this association has disbursed £4OOO allocated from the Canteen Fund and War Fund," added Mr. Bishop. "It has also distributed among its members £ISOO out of the funds of the Auckland' Patriotic and War Relief Society and the Red Cross Society. It has dealt with 180 applications for war pensions, 140 of which have been taken to the Appeal Board, and about'6o per cent have proved successful." Association's Enviable Position

Founder and first president of the Western Suburbs Association, Mr. R. W. ise, who is now the secretary, said he was proud of the progress made by the association within its short term. He thanked members and friends for their willing and wholehearted support in the venture, which placed the association in its enviable position that day. Congratulations to the association were also extended by the AttorneyGeneral, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, on behalf of the Government; Mr. A. G. Hackett, of the Glen Eden Town Board; Mr. W. H. Roberts, clerk of the Henderson Town Board; Mr. H. Paltridge, chairman of the Waitemata County Council; Mr. W. R. T. Leighton, chairman of the Waitemata Elec-tric-Power Board; the Rev. W. P. Rankin, and Miss D. M. Hawkins. Before afternoon tea was served Mr. Perry presented Mr. McKenzie with a gold badge of life membership for distinguished service to the association. A dance was held in the new hall on Saturday night.