ST. ANDREWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19513, 12 June 1933, Page 8

ST. ANDREWS

R.S.A. REUNION. The annual meeting and reunion of the St. Andrews-Pareora branch of the R.S.A. was held in the St. Andrews Hall on Thursday night. There was a gathering of nearly a hundred comrades, including representatives from Timaru and other places. An apology was received from Mr J. H. Blue and from Mr Percy Elworthy, who were unavoidably absent. The chairman (Mr F. H. Hatton), welcomed Mr Mcßobie, the new president of the South Canterbury Centre, and members of the Timaru Executive. In delivering the annual report, the chairman stated that the roll now stood at 69, an increase of two over last year. It was with regret that they had to chronicle the passing of one of their late comrades, Mr John Mitchell, of Pareora. A special committee had been set up to deal with unemployment among returned men, and had done excellent work. Commencing with funds amounting to about £lB, the sum of £43/8/- had been paid out in wages. There was every indication that further relief would be required this year, and negotiations were afoot to secure a suitable plantation from the Railway Department near St. Andrews, in order to begin work. At Christmas thirty parcels had been sent from Timaru to children of unemployed soldiers, and parcels of groceries were sent to ten homes from the canteen funds. The committee was again grateful to the public for their generous support of the Poppy Day appeal. This year 401 poppies had been sold for a total of £2O/1/-. Grateful thanks were due to the school teachers in country places, who had been so helpful in selling poppies. The committee was also grateful to the Women’s Institute who had sold the poppies in St. Andrews. In concluding, the chairman appealed for increased interest and continued loyalty to the incoming committee. The electon of officers resulted as follows:—Chairman. Mr C. H. S. Johnston; secretary, Mr E. Cosgrove; committee, Mr A. G. Morrison, Mr J. ,J. Quinn, Mr T. Guthrie, Mr L. Hayward. Mr J. Brunton, Mr W. R. Harvey, Mr A. L. Bennett and Mr Dave Brunton. On the motion of Mr S. F. Hanson, a vote of sympathy with the relatives of the late “Jock” Mitchell, and with Mr D. Stowell, in the loss of a son, was carried in the usual manner. After some discussion the following resolution was carried:— “That this meeting expresses its disappointment of any proposal to utilise the R.S.A. for political purposes, and expresses the view that great care should be exercised in awarding the Association gold badge, and on no account whatever, should it be awarded to the leaders of any political party.” The annual reunion was then held, and the rest of the evening was filled in with songs, stories and reminisences. A spirit of comradeship prevailed, and the proceedings were most enjoyable and continued until a late hour. Community singing was most successful, and the choruses were rendered in true digger style. The following toasts were honoured: The King, proposed by the chairman; The Army, Navy and Air Force, proposed by Mr McLeod, and responded to by Captain T. W. White; New Zealand R.S.A., proposed by the chairman and responded to by Mr Mcßobie; Pareora-St. Andrews Branch, proposed by Mr Goodman, responded to by Mr F. H. Hatton; absent comrades, proposed by Mr C. H. S. Johnston, responded by the Rev. Mr Stewart (Timaru). During the evening the following items were given:—Song, Mr Roger Gregory; song, Mr Gervin; the Magnum Bonn l, Mr S. T. Powell: song, Mr Pryce; short story, Mr G. A. Wilkes; song, Mr S. F. Hanson; twenty-third Psalm modernised, Mr C. H. S. Johnston. Mr C. Hanson and Mr J. F. Turpie w'ere the accompanists. The gathering terminated with the singing of “Auld Lang Sync.”