CLUTHA RETURNED SOLDIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 15

CLUTHA RETURNED SOLDIERS

BRANCH ASSOCIATION FORMED. A meeting of returned soldiers, for the {purpose of discussing the advisableness of forming a branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association at Balclutha, was held in the Counoil Chambers at Balclutha on Saturday evening, 13 returned men being present. Lieutenant-colonel Grigor, who presided, said that it would soon be found that all the returned men in the Clutha Recruiting District would join in. Where men had been together for any length of time there was always a bond, and when they had been through what most of the returned men had. experienced—"tho bond of over the top"—there was all the more reason that a lasting association should be formed to keep in memory -what had been done and what their comrades who had made the supreme sacrifice had done. It migfte be said by some that the formation of a Clutha branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association was premature, but that was not so. It was the job of those who had got home first to light the fire and get the kettle boiling. It was right that an association should be formed for the men who returned from the war. The work that Would bo done at prosent would be of a, preliminary nature —when all the men had returned it would be time enough to consider what the activities of the association would be. In time he was confident that all the associations throughout the country would unite and take a leading part in the government of the country. He would suggest that the Mayor call a public meeting to decide what ought to be done in tho way of establishing a lasting memorial for the men who had fought in the war. He did not want, it to be thought that the association would demand rights for the men, but rather to show that there was a duty to tho soldiers and to see that they were placed in as good positions as they Vacated. ( The following resolution was earned: ''That the Mayor be asked to support the formation of the association, and call a public meeting to decide what steps be taken to co-operate with the association in raising the means to produce some permanent memorial of the war and the part taken in it by the men from the district." : ' The Mayor stated that whatever the publio might do in the way of assistance would •be small in comDarison with what had been done by the men who had fought in the war. He thought it wag a good thing to get in early in forming tho association, as any requests for assistance that might now ibo received from other centres would bo returned with the reply that wo had our own association to support.—(Applause.) Mr R. J. Arthur moved: "That a branch of tho Returned Soldiers'. Association bo formed at Balclutha: to bo called the Clutha District Returned Soldiers' Association." This was seconded by Mr Allison and carried unanimously. Mr Walsh moved: "That the Clutha District Returned Soldiers' Association be registered as an incorporated society."—This was seconded by Mr Haggitt and carried. * The question of rules was discussed, and the rules of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association were read. It was decided, on tho motion of Messrs Walsh and Blaikie, to adopt these with ono or two minor alterations. The following office-bearers were elected: President, Lieutenant-colonel Grigor; vice presidents—Sergeant-major H. W. Carver and Mr R. J. Arthur; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. F. Walsh; Executive Committee —Messrs G. Sinclair (Owaka), H. M'Allister (Owaka), A. Hisloo (Stirling), L. Barrett, W. Blaikie, J. Gold, E. F. Allison, and T. Lyall; auditor, Mr Carroll. Vacancies havo been left on tho committee to enable Kaitangata to be represented. An offer from the Balclutha Club to dispose of the furniture and fittings of the club room was accepted, subject to suitable arrangements in regard to rental being mado with tho landlord. A general discussion followed on the ways and means to raise funds, and a number of suggestions were made, the principal being the holding of a Paddy's Market and a bowling and tennis carnival, tho latter suggestion being subject to tho approval and assistance of tho clubs mentioned. It was hoped ultimately to raiso tho sum of £SOOO to erect a permanent memorial of the war.