SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1934, Page 9

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

ASSOCIATION ANUUAL MEETING. REPORT UPON THE YEAR’S WORK. The 16th annual report of the North Taranaki branch of the South African War Veterans’ Association, stated that in common with other associations the association had passed through a difficult year. Despite that it was gratifying to report a credit balance of £39 19s 6d as compared with £2O 4s 3d- for the previous year. This was made possible through a grant of £l6 19s 7d from Dominion headquarters and a donation of £l9 10s from the staff of White Star Motors Ltd. Mr. G. Gibson presided over .an attendance of 14. Frequent appeals for financial assistance had been made by incapacitated comrades, who had received grants of £l6 7s 6d. The only regret was that it was not possible to give relief on a more liberal scale. The opinion of the majority of the executive, however, was that resources should be conserved for future appeals which would increase if the economic position of the country did not improve. Members subscriptions for the year totalled £ll 10s, an increase of £2. This was the only reliable source of revenue and was evident that without external help it was impossible to render assistance to comrades in need of help. Subscriptions for the smoke concert were £6, with an expenditure of £8 5s 2d, leaving a debit balance of £2 5s 2d. The executive placed on record the outstanding work done by the late Mr. G. Morton in connection with South African affairs. For many years he was a member of the management committee of the association and during its infancy rendered conspicuous service by placing it on a firm basis. To his wife and family were extended sympathy in their bereavement.

Mr. T. McWhirter again represented the association as delegate to the annual conference at Wellington. He sponsored seven remits from North Taranaki. So worthily did he represent the association and headquarter’s executive expressed concern at the prospect of his not being able to be present this year. A total of 34 comrades paraded on April 25 to participate in the Anzac memorial at Pukekura Park. Practically all were also present at an afternoon ten given by Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Burgess.

The annual smoke concert on May 24 was not so well attended as usual, though a happy time was spent in talkin over old veldt days. Mr. N.. Pike, the veteran quartermaster, was again responsible for the ararngements. Sympathy with Mr. Chas. Cheffings, who lost a hand in an accident recently, was expressed. The executive gave good service and a sub-committee consisting of the president, secretary, and Mr. Pike, was appointed to deal with emergencies. The relations between the centre and the Dominion headquarters were particularly harmonious. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £39 19s 6d. The report and balance sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. G. Gibson; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. McWhirter, B. Evetts; executive, Messrs. N. Pike, C. Mackinder, A. Lister, W. T. Joll, C. Cheffings, J. Thomas, A. Murphy; secretary-treasurer, Mr. D. P. Evans. It was decided to forward a remit to the Dominion conference suggesting that to meet members of the Government after the annual conference a committee should be formed from representatives of the association from all pails of the country.

The question of the association magazine, “Veteran," was discussed at some length and members agreed that in its present form the magazine was unsuitable and its time of issue too unstable to’ permit of great interest being taken by members. The matter of a remit was left in the hands of Mr. McWhirter to arrange for the executive to confirm. It was decided to alter the date of the annual smoke concert from May 24 to May 31. The catering was left to Mr. Pike and the musical programme to Mr. Gibson. The president and members of the Dominion executive will be invited to the gathering. Mr. T. McWhirter was appointed delegate to the Dominion conference. Reference was made to his splendid service on behalf of the association.