WINTON R.S.A.

Southland Times, Issue 21578, 16 December 1931, Page 6

WINTON R.S.A.

DIGGERS AND CITIZENS’ CLUB.

(From Our Correspondent.)

With a view to the formation of a Diggers and Citizens’ Club at Winton a meeting convened by the executive committee of the Winton Branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last Monday evening, when the president of the association, Mr J. A. Cushen, presided. Close on forty returned men and citizens of the town were present while a lengthy list of residents who were willing to assist in the formation of a club was read out. In outlining the object of the meeting Mr Cushen related that at the last executive meeting of the association the question of a club had been discussed at length. As a sub-branch of the Invercargill Association the executive had felt that such a club was necessary and it was also felt that a club could not be run successfully on the association’s own membership. It was resolved that a meeting of both town and district residents be • called and asked to offer suggestions in connection with the formation of such a club. Honorary members would assist the association financially. He explained that the present time the membership for returned men was 10/and of this the local association received 4/-. If honorary members were enrolled at a fee of 10/- or any amount all the revenue from this source would be retained by the local association. If a club was started and rooms were rented, Mr Cushen stated that he considered money for furnishing the rooms could be raised from a fund in Invercargill. Various activities of such a club could be commenced if the formation of same fell in with the views of the citizens, and he mentioned that a Miniature Rifle Club, St. John Ambulance Class, and a Debating Society had been suggested as suitable activities. In the round table discussion that fallowed several members aired their views as being in favour of the formation of a club. Dr P. Gow stressed the necessity of club rooms for the town and mentioned that the time had come when Winton should have such a social society. As the prospects for the success pf the club were evident, he,

considered the formation should be gone on with. Mr R. M. Gilmour also expressed himself as being in favour of such a movement. It was mentioned that there were prospects- of obtaining approximately a membership of 100. On the motion of Messrs R. M. Gdmour and J. D. Cameron a recommendation to the executive of the Winton branch of the RS.A., to the effect that a club as had been proposed be formed, was carried. A recommendation that a Miniature Rifle Club be formed was also carried. It was also suggested that members be admitted at the age- of 18 years and upwards. The Mayor, Mr J. A. Broom and Mr R. M. Gilmour were delegated to represent the citizens on the executive of the R-SA. in connection with the formation of the chib.