BLUFF NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 24438, 19 May 1941, Page 4

BLUFF NEWS

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

The retiring president, Mr N. W. McGorlick, presided over a good attendance of members at the annual meeting of the Bluff Returned Soldiers' Association. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of those comrades who had died since the last annual meeting. In his address Mr McGorlick thanked all those who had assisted during the year, especially the women, who had raised £57 by card evenings. A feature of the year had been the Anzac Day parade, one of the best ever seen at Bluff, assisted materially by the Boys’ Battalion Band and a fine parade of Home Guardsmen. Last year’s record of £34 for Poppy Day was also exceeded this year, when £44 was raised. The balances of the various accounts were in fair condition, although a good deal of revenue had been lost through young men going overseas, the majority of whom were honorary members of the club. It was realized that means would have to be established to meet the branch’s commitments and it was suggested that the time was now opportune to proceed with the carnival which had been postponed to avoid clashing with the Labour Party’s effort. Although the funds raised would not exactly be for patriotic purposes, it was felt the purpose was very closely allied as it was for providing suitable accommodation and club rooms for the men returning from the war. The treasurer, Mr R. N. Porter, presented the balance-sheet, showing the accounts as satisfactory. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: President, Mr N. W. McGorlick; vice-president, Mr O. F. Metzger; treasurer, Mr R. N. Porter; auditor, Mr J. H. Doyle; secretary, Mr T. Finnerty; executive, Messrs J. Moloney, J. H. Forde, C. Barry, H. W. Newman and D. J. Robertson.

It was. decided to hold the annual reunion on June 14.

Mr J. Moloney was thanked for keeping the club rooms supplied with firewood.

Mr R. Johnstone conveyed his appreciation to the branch for the assistance given his son, who had been invalided home.

Appreciative reference was made to the work of the caretaker, Mr D. Bochel. A vote of thanks to the previous executive was carried. Mr R. Deacon was thanked for his action in lending the club two sets of billiard balls after the club’s had been stolen.

WAR PENSION ANOMALIES A discussion took place about war pension anomalies. A case was illustrated of a soldier with a war pension of £1 a week for life. He broke down in health because of war injuries and was confined to bed on several occasions, sometimes lor as long as six weeks. An application for an economic pension was refused on the grounds that his earnings for the previous year were too high to enable him to qualify. This case was compared with that of a seasonal worker who made £325 in seven months and after standing down for a month went on relief work and earned £4/12/6 a week. It was held that a soldier suffering from war injuries was at a distinct disadvantage compared with this relief worker, and that the means test should be abolished in the case of a returned soldier who would otherwise be entitled to an economic pension. It was decided after a long discussion to ask the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association to take the matter up. BOROUGH COUNCIL At the final meeting of the Borough Council, it was decided to accede to the request of the Progress League and apply to have the domain on Bluff Hill declared a sanctuary. It was decided to order 500 feet of 2J-inch hose for emergency purposes. Discussing the western reserve, Cr T. F. Doyle expressed the hope that the incoming council would not slacken work on this major undertaking. Cr C. G. Pilcher: I have been elected and can assure you the work will go on. That is one of the reasons why I stood. Subsequently the council sat as the Omaui Domain Board. One tender only was received for the lease of the domain consisting of 150 acres at Greenhills. The price tendered was £l2/10/- per annum and as this was considered too low, it was decided to recommend to the incoming Domain Board that an inspection be made and fresh tenders called. GOLF The four-ball bogey match played on Saturday resulted in a win for A. M. Wilson and H. W. Newman, 1 up. During the afternoon a presentation was made to Mr W. G. Fisher who is leaving for Palmerston North, and who has been secretary of the Bluff Golf Club for two years. In making the presentation, Mr D. E. S. Mason, the president, spoke in enthusiastic terms of the good work done for the club by Mr Fisher and of his good sportsmanship. Mr H. W. Newman (vice-president), Dr A. R. Ross (club captain), Mr J. Mitchell (treasurer), Mr A. M. Wilson (member of the committee) and Miss C. M. Sinclair, secretary of the Ladies’ Club, also spoke. Mr Fisher replied and wished the club success.