NOT FAR BELOW PEAK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19376, 14 July 1937, Page 14

NOT FAR BELOW PEAK

G.R.S.A. MEMBERSHIP INVERC ARGIL!/S RIVALRY YEAR’S WORK REVIEWED “It is heartening to be able, once again, to record an increase in financial membership, and we are now only 23 behind our peak figures of 1216 established in 1934. This is particularly gratifying;, in view of the fact that during the year there were many removals from our area, these having been more than balanced in new members,” states the annual report of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association, which is to be submitted at the general meeting on Saturday evening.

“Most of the sub-associations have made their returns as usual, and almost all have increased their membership by comparison with last year,” the report continues. “The final figures were 1193, as against 1150 for 1935-36, the respective areas contributions, with the previous year’s figures in parenthesis for comparison, being as follows: —

“We staved off the Invercargill

challenge by a margin of 82, but the southern association has intimated that another membership contest is to be fought out in the new year.” Claims for Pensions Discussing pensions, the report points out that while applications were just as numerous as in the past, it becomes increasingly difficult to establish claims so long after the war. The calls made on the honorary medical officer had been heavy, and the association was deeply indebted to him and to his partners for the services they had freely rendered. Investigations of claims for the war veterans’ allowance numbered 25, 20 of the applications being granted. Of the 67 applications for pensions dealt with, 14 were still being investigated. Of the 53 in which investigation had been completed, 11 applicants had been advised not to proceed, six were advised to seek the war veterans’ allowance, and 36 claims were made for war pensions. All but six of these claims were granted in the first instance; four were refused and appeals lodged, three being won and one lost; and two were awaiting the decision of the Pensions Board. Work of Sub-Associations Included among the subjects dealt with in the report are the work of the social committee, the celebration of Anzac Day and the excellent response to the Poppy Day appeal; the annual reunion in August, 1936, the distribution of Christmas gifts to the children of unemployed “Diggers,” the Anzac Day stamp issue, and the work of the sub-associations. Touching on the latter, the report states: — “The 10 branches in country districts continued to function wonderfully, in keeping up the district membership, retaining the interest of their members, caring for those in need of help in their areas, and in many cases -naterially assisting the Gisborne association beyond the payment of capitation. A conference of delegates with the Gisborne executive was held on October 17 last, being highly successful, and as a result of decision come to regarding administrative costs, several branches have already

contributed extra sums to the secretary’s salary fund. Seven enjoyable reunions were attended oy delegations from Gisborne during the year.” Hospital Benefits Scheme The hospital benefits scheme is also the subject of comment in the report, which points cut th'e 'very favourable nature of the agreement by which any member residing in the Cook Hospital district can provide, by an annual payment of £1 10s, for hospital costs in his own or his family s illnesses. The executive heartily commends the scheme to members, 150 already having signed up and paid their fees; it is felt that many more will avail themselves of the opportunity offered when the provisions are more widely known. Sub-associ-ations outside the Cook Hospital district have been recommended to approach their respective hospital boards for similar agreements.

Town 795 (780) Waikohu 83 (86) Tokomaru Bay .. 68 (65) Tolaga Bay 60 (56) Ruatoria 40 (42) Te Araroa 40 (28) Nuhaka 39 (31) Matawai-Motu .. 34 (44) Tikitiki 19 (18) Bartletts’ 15 * (*New sub-association.)