TE AWAMUTU R.S.A.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5602, 7 April 1943, Page 3

TE AWAMUTU R.S.A.

WORK FOR YEAR INCREASED MEMBERSHIP “In presenting a report of the year’s activities I am pleased to announce a further increase in membership. At the end of the financial year we had 307 financial members as well as 26 members on service with the Forces, making a total membership of 333, which constitutes a record,” stated the president, Mr C. O. Edmonds, “ The balance-sheet shows a credit of £304 3s 5d in all accounts. Full details of the year’s workings are shown in the accounts. “ The annual meeting of the Dominion Council was held in Wellington as usual last June, and this branch was represented by Mr Walter McGill and myself. There have also been two conferences at Hamilton on rehabilitation matters, and at the first of these conferences you were represented by Mr McGill, Mr Sid Smith, and myself, and at the second conference by ■ Messrs Sid Smith and S. Wanklyn. “ The usual activities were carried on during the year; the annual reunion was held in May, our guest of honour being the Dominion president of the Second N.Z.E.F. Association. This branch has taken a very lively interest in all matters affecting the men of the Second N.Z.E.F., and we have submitted a number of useful suggestions to headquarters. “ One of our remits to the Dominion Council meeting was: “ ‘ That the N.Z.R.S.A. co-oper-ate with the Second N.Z.E.F. Association and give it all possible assistance in furthering its objects relative to returned men.’ “ This remit was lost. “The golf tournament was held in the spring, and was very successful, and as a result of the tournament the building fund of the Association benefited to the extent of £3l 17s.

“ The Poppy Day appeal was made as usual, and was generously responded to. Gross receipts were £155 2s 2d—also a record. This year oui women’s section will take charge of the Poppy Day appeal. “ During the year we assisted at a children’s Christmas party in Te Awamutu for children of men overseas; we sent five cases of books to the soldiers’ camp at Rotorua; and we sent a large number of books and periodicals to the Air Force camp in Te Awamutu. We are indebted to the Boy Scouts for collecting the books.

“ At the end of last year our secretary, Mr H. T. Haselden, accepted a position as welfare officer to the Auckland Patriotic Council, and he took up his new duties early in the new year. We were fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr H. Weightman to carry on the secretarial duties until the end of the financial year, and I would like to extend our thanks to Mr Weightman for filling the breach.

“ I regret having to record the death of five of our members, Messrs W. R. Beckerleg, T. Hartigan. E. O. Jepson, G. Osborne, and S. Tarver, and to their bereaved families we extend our sincere sympathy. “ In conclusion I would like to thank our secretary, treasurer, and members of the committee for their loyal cooperation and help. Our thanks are also extended to our many supporters and to all who have so generously helped the Association in any way.”