R. S. A.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20465, 9 July 1936, Page 10

R. S. A.

SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH MEETING OF EXECUTIVE A meeting of the executive of the South Canterbury Returned Soldiers’ Association was held on Tuesday evening, there being present the Rev. Milbum Stewart (chairman), Dr. F. F. A. Ulrich, Messrs J. G. Duncan, C. Howe, W. Hocking, W. Bignell, F. H. Davey, B. Howell, R. J. Esler, A. M. Parker, S. Shears, G. J. Walker, C. H. S. Johnstone, W. Seward, and the secretary, Mr S. D. Mason. In his statement for the month the chairman reported briefly on his recent visit to Wellington as a delegate to the annual conference of the New Zealand Association, the business of which would be dealt with fully at a special general meeting to be held later in the week. It was with regret that he had to report the deaths of several ex-servicemen since the date of the last meeting. In his official capacity as president of the association he had attended at the funerals whenever it had been possible. He thought it opportune to mention that the thanks of the executive were due to Dr. Ulrich and the secretary for their efforts on behalf of the late Mr Charles Woodward, who was not a member of the association. A motion

to this effect was passed by the meeting. The secretary pointed out that to enable him to do the utmost possible for relatives of deceased soldiers it was essential that they should get in touch with him before making any funeral arrangements. A communication from headquarters was received, showing the total of Anzac commemoration stamp sales, exclusive of those for the final five days, to be £13,390 9s 3d, Timaru’s contribution being £5ll 18s sd, this being the seventh greatest amount from the various postal districts. A Dominion Council decision stated that the net proceeds from the sale of the stamps were to go to the forming of a national fund to be administered by Dominion headquarters. All applications for assistance from the fund are to be made through the local association.

A record of the proceedings of a conference of representatives of the New Zealand Association with the Hon W. Nash and the Hon. F. Langstone, held on May 28, was received by the

meeting. This referred to matters affecting men settled on land under the provisions of the D.S.S. Act, and was referred to the lands’ committee for attention. Branch Reports Branch reports were given by Mr Howell on behalf of the Mackenzie branch where there were at present ten unemployed ex-servicemen. Mr Seward, on behalf of Milford and Clandeboye, stated that the annual meeting and reunion had been held and that the resignation of Mr Mulligan, after many years’ sendee as president, had been received. Mr Esler reported that a very successful reunion of Pleasant Point members had recently been held and that at present there were 66 members enrolled in that district. Mr Johnstone advised that at present there were five unemployed members on the St. Andrew’s register. Recently two men were sent before the War Pensions Appeal Board, the appeal of one being successful. His branch urged that something be attempted by the South Canterbury Association to remove the hardship borne by applicants to the board in having to wait so long before being summoned to the sittings. It was decided that the matter be taken up with headquarters and that a specific case of recent occurrence be cited. Reporting on behalf of the reunion committee Mr Shears stated that 330 members attended. Thanks were due to those who acted as mess orderlies and to the members of the Municipal Band and the Highland Pipe Band, who assisted. Mr Davey reported that 80 members registered as unemployed and that at present one day’s work per month was being given from the funds available. Mr Home stated that in the month of June there were as many as 31 patients in hospital, 12 of whom were still inmates and progressing favourably. Dr. Ulrich stated that during the month six members had lodged appeals to the War Pensions Appeal Board. So far the pensions committee of the association had been successful in obtaining increases in four of these cases, two of them to a greater extent than was at first aimed at. Mr Parker advised that an offer from the Drama League to present the recent repertory production, “The Late Christopher Bean” for the joint funds of the League and the association had been received. The meeting, in accepting the offer, expressed its appreciation of the action of the League and undertook to do all possible to aid in making the presentation a financial success.