IMPERIAL EX-SERVICEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22373, 21 September 1934, Page 5

IMPERIAL EX-SERVICEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

During the winter months members of the executive of thc Imperial Ex-service-men’s Association have prepared a lengthy programme of activities, and with the recent formation, of a rifle club and minstrel troupe their work is by no means lessened, often two or three meetings being held each week. On Wednesday evening the executive met, Mr Lilly . (chairman) presiding. The principal business of thc evening was the discussion surrounding Armistice Day celebrations, and the nomination of a member to confer with the R.S.A. Executive to draw up recommendations for the Cenotaph service. The chairman was nominated to attend this conference. One member expressed a desire for simplicity and brevity, and was supported by {he remainder present,, hut objections were offered to the elimination of thp hymn, “ 0 Gdd, Qur Help in Ages Past,” the reveille and “ Last Post.” An invitation by thc chaplain (the Rev. Albert Mead) to attend Armistice service in his church, Moray place, was accepted. Among other business there rose the question of providing funds for erection of a headstone to an cx-Impcrial regular soldier recently deceased. This was left to the secretary to investigate. Members of the rifle club also met to arrange fixtures for a number of shooting matches before the season closed, and to decide a policy of activities for next season. The purchase of rifles was left in thc hands of the chairman. Immediately following the Executive Committee meeting the Social Committee met to’ discuss the applications received for the min#trel troupe to appear at several charity concerts. A suggestion from a non-member of- thc committee to change the concert party from a minstrel troupe to pierrot troupe met with onposition, as it was thought inadvisable to make any change so late in the season. One speaker, in the' event of a change, preferred a “ Diggers’, Party,” with appropriate backgrounds. A suggestion to arrange a concert for members’ families and friends proved popular, and a date was decided upon.