BOER WAR VETERANS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1935, Page 23 (Supplement)

BOER WAR VETERANS

NORTH TARANAKI ASSOCIATION.

WORK OF YEAR REVIEWED.

The annual meeting of the North Taranaki South African Veterans’ Association was held yesterday. Mr. G. Gibson presided.' In the annual report, the executive stated that owing to the loyalty of members and the keen interest they had taken in the affairs of the association the association completed a successful year despite the fact that many cOmfades were still held in the tentacles of .the economic depression. The executive officers were to be congratulated on the efficient manner in which they carried out their duties—in some cases at considerable personal sacrifice of time and money. They gave their services unselfishly and ungrudgingly with the object of securing for those who served in the South African War all benefits due to them from the Government of the Dominion. Steady progress had been made since the inauguration of the New Zealand Association but still much remained to be done, and it behoved all old campaigners to associate themselves with the association so that in its just demands for the betterment of the position of members the executive might present a united front. A perusal of the last issue of the Veteran should convince members that headquarters’ executive was a very active body, though hampered by the lack of “the sinews of war.”

The balance-sheet showed a credit .of £5O 2s 7d as against £39 9s 6d last year. The expenditure £69 19s 6d had been unusually high owing to financial ■assistance given to incapacitated comrades, the amount expended for this purpose being £47 10s. The amound received from annual subscriptions was £l4 10s, an increase of £3 on last year’s contributions. It would be noted therefore that had it not been for , a grant of £ll 3s 4d from Dominion headquar/ ters, and' a profit of £26 18s 6d from competition organised by Mr. H. Thomson and friends the resources would have been seriously strained. The executive was deeply grateful to Mr. Thomson. ' . HELP FOR DISTRESSED.

The association could not continue to assist comrades, in distress without external help, though it desired to continue and even to extend this branch of its activities. For this reason, apart from others, the executive earnestly appealed to all comrades of the veldt to keep themselves financial although they might not be in a position to pay the full amount of their dues. The executive aimed at greater strength in membership. The annual smoke concert was an unqualified success, many new faces being in evidence. An innovation was made by the introduction of community singing of old-time war songs. Contrary to the usual experience the event showed a surplus of receipts over expenditure for which the association was indebted to the splendid organisation and management of Mr. R. Pike. Mr. Pike, who had removed to another sphere of action, tendered his resignation and it was with sincere regret that the association severed its connection with a member who had rendered yeoman service as a past president, a delegate and a long standing officer of the executive. Another committee member, Mr. J. W. Thomas, left the district, but it was hoped in the near future to have him back to give the executive the benefit of his counsel. Two parades were held during the year. One on the occasion of the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester, the other being the regular Anzac parade.. The former was attended by 22 members and the latter by 36-r-a- record. On the afternoon of Anzac Day, South Africans at the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Burgess, were privileged to attend a memorable reception at the Agricultural Hall in company with their comrades of the. Great War. 'ANNUAL CONFERENCE. In August last year the president and secretary accompanied by the delegate, Mr. T. McQuirter, to the annual conference, their object being to get into closer touch with the Dominion executive, and the working of the association. It was only by personal contact with those in control that one fully realised the amount of work entailed in guiding the destinies of the different associations. It would be pleasing to. members to learn that Mr. McQuirter was held in the highest esteem at headquarters for his keen interest in, apd his wide knowledge of, all matters pertaining to South Africans and their affairs. He sponsored six remits from Taranaki, two of which were withdrawn after explanations were made by the delegates present. The executive extended to Messrs. J. W. Thomas and A. Sadler its deep sympathy in their sad bereavement. i To obviate calling country members to frequent meetings an emergency committee, comprising the president, the secretary and Mr. Pike, was appointed to deal with business requiring urgent attention. It was fitting that the executive should pay a tribute to the Dominion secretary, Mr. J. H. Tilling, for the very able and conscientious manner in which he carried out his onerous duties. Relations existing between the association and headquarters were of a most cordial nature. The association was indebted to the Press. . Mr. C. Macindei' complimented the secretary and president bn the sound position of the finances. / The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr. G. Gibson; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. McQuirter and F. Evetts; executive, Messrs. A. F. Lister, W- T. Joll, C. Cheffings, C. Macinder, G. Allardice, H. Thomson and' E. Wooldridge; secretary and treasurer, Mr. D. P. Evans; conference delegate, Mr. T. McQuirter. The meeting supported a proposal that the subscription, might be paid in instalments. The secretary said it was possible that the executive might have to battle for further pensions and it was only by having the full strength of the association behind it that it could expect to Succeed. a Messrs. D. P. Evans, G. Gibson and A. P. Lister were elected a sub-commit-tee to deal with matters of an urgent nature. It was decided to hold the annual smoke concert. Mr. Paynter to make arrangements for the catering and Mr. Gibson for the entertainment. Votes of thanks were accorded to Miss Gibson, for work in connection with thetyping of correspondence, the president and the Press.