SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23514, 31 May 1938, Page 7

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING MR BEN ELLIS ELECTED PATRON Arrangements for the annual reunion to be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on ■Monday night next formed the principal topic of discussion at the annual meeting last night of the Dunedin branch of the South African War Veterans’ Association. There were approximately 30 members present, the president (Mr Alex. Duncan) being in the chair. Members were advised that the Vereeniging Peace Service would be held at the Oval on Sunday next, at The secretary (Mr W. F. Dunne) advised that the necessary arrangements for the service were practically complete, and he reported also that invitations to the reunion on Monday night had been sent out to various organisations. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS Moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the chairman stated that it was gratifying to observe that, the membership of the association was on a par with the previous year. Some men. however, did not take sufficient interest in the association to 30m up, while others did not know there was an association until they required assistance.' Any assistance obtained from the Government for the relief of distress was distributed on a membership basis. During the previous year the association had received a grant from the Government of £l6 15s lid. On both Anzac Day and Armistice Day the association had held successful parades, the chairman concluded. The motion was seconded by Mr G. F. Smith and carried without discussion. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—Patron. Mr Ben EJlis; president, Mr Alexander Duncan; vicepresidents —Messrs E. C. Hazlett, W. Dobson, G. F. Smith. T. Moreton R. Smeaton, J. Thorn, and G. Wakhe. committee —Messrs G. Aitken, C. Cornish, W. McKeich, J. C. Rigby, J. Seelye, F, Stone, R. M. Meflan, J. Cairney, L. R. Ellis, J. McCracken. J. Melville, R. McGregor. H. Potter, and C. Todd; hon. auditor. Mr F. C. Evans; hon. secretary and treasurer. Mr W. F. Dunne. _ GENERAL On the motion of the chairman, it was decided to submit the name of Mr Ben Ellis, the present Dominion president of the association, to headquarters with a recommendation that he should be re-elected president for a further term. It was mentioned that the annual picnic next January would be held south of Dunedin and that members of the Southland Association would be present for the occasion. The removal of the bayonet from the monument at the Oval gave rise to a brief discussion during the meeting. The secretary mentioned that the committee was grateful to Mr Price, superintendent of the Fire Brigade, for removing the bayonet, which was badly rusted, and was pointing at a downward angle.—Mr T. L. McLean said that if it were the wish of members, it would take very little to have a stainless steel bayonet placed on the monument.—The opinion was expressed that a bayonet was a finish to the monument, and the matter was finally left to Mr McLean, who was asked to report at the next committee meeting.