SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19698, 2 August 1938, Page 7

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

GISBORNE BRANCH

ANNUAL MEETING

DECLINING MEMBERSHIP

The annual meeting of the Gisborne branch of the South African War Veterans' Association was held in Findlay's rooms on Saturday evening, but owing to the boisterous weather the attendance was smaller than usual. An apology for absence was received from the president, Veteran F. Collin, who was unable to get down from Tokomaru Bay.

Veteran I. Lindon presided, and opened the meeting by asking members to stand in silence in memory ol the late Veteran J. W. Somervell. In moving the adoption of the annual report, already published, and balance sheet, the chairman said he thought the association, although its number of active members was steadily declining, was to be congratulated upon the past year's working, the general, benevolent, and social accounts all showing credit balances, while the three social functions had not resulted in a financial loss. The auditor had congratulated the association on the way the accounts had been kept.

After several questions had been satisfactorily answered, the report and balance sheet were adopted. Correspondence was received from Veteran Ben Ellis, Dominion president, with reference to his recent trip through the North Island and congratulating the branch on its successful year's working. Veteran J. Campbell wrote from the Veterans' Home, Auckland, giving information with reference to the recent death oi Veteran "Bill" Cassidy, D.C.M., of the 2nd Contingent. Greetings from England An ex-member of the branch now resident in England, Veteran C. Cheescman, wrote that he had linked up with the Tunbridge Wells (Kent) branch, conveyed fraternal greetings to his old comrades in Gisborne, and enclosed a press photograph taken at the dinner, and a long report of the proceedings. Among the speakers was Major Patton, who, in reply to the toast of the association, said that as hon. general treasurer he could tell them there were now 5000 paid-up members. One of the aims of the association was to get all South Africans out of the poor law institutions. Were they aware that no fewer than 800 South African War veterans were in the institutions or pauper houses? They wanted to get those men out of the pauper house, build them homes, and call them soldiers' homes, so that they could live in

After some discussion it was decided to make the September monthly meeting an open night, to which members could bring their wives and families. The question of holding a picnic during the summer was discussed, and eventually it was decided to hold one on a suitable date in December. Veteran J. T. McLoughlin was instructed to make arrangements for a "shoot" on the rifle range, and to act as instructor and coa~h, with a view to meeting the territorials in "combat." Veterans in Pauper Homes Some caustic comment was passed on the number of South African War veterans in pauper institutions in the Old Country, as it was thought that these veterans should be provided for for the remainder of their lives, and before preparations for another war were begun, which would add thousands more to be provided for. The published figures with regard to the number of Maori War pensioners, 180 G, a reduction of IUB since 1936-37. caused some surprise as the Maori War ended some 71) years ago. The number .of Boer War pensioners shows a decline of 70 from 1936-37, when there were 20G7. It was thought that as the Maori War pensioners declined, the money saved thereby should be used for Boer War veterans. The ,hon. secretary reported that Veterans- 11. Innes and W. Brechin were sick in hospital, and Veteran Grahame Johnstone was confined to his home. A vote of sympathy with them in their sickness was carried. The meeting concluded with a vole of thanks to the outgoing officers and chairman. The following officers were appointed for the ensuing year:-—President, Veteran I. Lindon; vice-presidents, Veterans G. Crawshaw, F. Collin, and J. Munro; hen. secretary, Veteran .J. W. Scott; hon. treasurer, Veteran F. Parker; hon. chaplain, Canon A. F. Hall; hon. quartermaster, Veteran H. Y. Hughes; executive, Veterans E. File, S. Breingan, J. T. McLoughlin, P. Brady, W. Taylor, and W. 11. Thompson; sick visitor, Veteran D. McCallum; hon. auditor, Mr. D. 11. Faram.