RETURNED soldiers

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1935, Page 17 (Supplement)

RETURNED soldiers

MEETING - OF URENUI BRANCH. SUCCESSFUL YEAR REPORTED. The seventh annual meeting of the Urenui branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held on Wednesday evening when Mr. W. Scott presided over a fair attendance. The chairman in welcoming Colonel G. F.' Bertrand, president of the New Plymouth Returned Soldiers’ Association, and five members of the executive, apologised for the moderate attendance caused by the rough weather. Many of the local members had to come long distances, he said. The annual report said the year had started with a credit balance of £8 7s Bd, and finished with a credit of £l2 16s 6d. The increase in the balance was mainly due to. the financial success of the reunion dance. The membership was the same as last year, but there were prospects of adding' to the strength of 36 by several new • enrolments. The re-union was a greater success.

than ever, both socially and financially, the seating accommodation being taxed to the limit. The thanks of the branch were offered to Mr. F. R. P. Fredric and the. other entertainers. The district roll stood at 92 returned men. Of these 47 answered their names at the re-union. It was hoped the other 35 would attend this year. It was pleasing to note the number of returned men who paraded on Anzac Day. After the parade, the men and their wives were again entertained at afternoon tea in the hall by a ( committee of local women, A feature of | the afternoon was the programme by. visiting and local performers. The, annual dance was again a social and financial success. The report thanked the women.who helped at the gathering. During the year a cricket match was played against a team of Waitara returned men. Although Urenui was beaten, ■ all players had an enjoyable day. The report expressed the opinion that the i branch had not paid enough attention to amusements in the past and suggested to the in-coming executive that a series of cricket matches should be played annually with Waitara and New Plymouth, ■ and that an annual picnic should be held. This would not only provide some pleasure for the wives. and children of 1 returned men ’ but would also create 1

further interest in the branch and perhaps cause an increase in membership. The branch was fortunate during, the year in having no necessitous cases for which to provide. An occasional returned man who passed through the district was provided with bed, breakfast and tobacco. ; The president expressed appreciation of the able and conscientious manner in which the secretary carried out his duties. The bulk of the organisation and work fell on his shoulders. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. W. Scott; vice-presidents, Messrs. E. K. Blundell and B. H. Sharp; honorary secretary, Mr. F. D. Bramald; honorary treasurers, Messj-s. F. D. Des Forges and W. Scott; honorary auditor, Mr. G. N. Fuller; executive committee, Messrs. A. E. Denne,. N. Blennerhasset, J. Johnson, E. Maxted and J. E. Jones; delegate to New Plymouth Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr. W. Scott. It was decided to hold the annual reunion and dance on dates to be fixed by i the executive. : Arrangements for the parade on Anzac 1 Day were left to the executive. ] Colonel Bertrand gave an outline of i the work of the association during < the year. He congratulated, the Urenui 1 branch on the progress it had made.

Football Season Opened. The Urenui Football Club opened the season during the week-end with a match against Clifton junior. The game resulted in a win for Urenui by eight points to three. Judging by the form shown the local team should morb than hold its own in the competition. The annual dance held by the Waitoitoi Beach Picnic Racing Club in the Urenui hall on Wednesday evening was not well attended, owing no doubt to the very wet weather. Music was'provided by Vinsen’s Ambassador’s Dance Band. The supper arrangements were attended to by a. committee in charge of Mrs. L. Rattenbury. Mr. A. M. Zimmerman was master of ceremonies.