WAIMATE SOUND ACCOUNTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21360, 1 June 1939, Page 3

WAIMATE SOUND ACCOUNTS

Returned Soldiers Have a Good Year *We Are Going Ahead ” "I think the accounts this year are fairly satisfactory,” the president of the Waimate branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association (Mr W. F. Barry) stated at the annual meeting. Taking it all round, we have had a fairly good year. It only remains for members to stick together, and we will be in that happy position when we will be able to say: ‘We are not going back, we are going ahead.” ” A noticeably small number of "Diggers" had attended functions during the year, Mr Barry stated; other people attended and said: “We thought this was a returned soldiers’ affair.” He paid tributes to the secretary (Mr S. d’A. Grut), the firing party, poppysellers. the newspapers, Sergeant d’Auvergne, Mr J. Lash and the public generally for their assistance. Officers elected were: President, Mr W. F. Barry; vice-presidents, Messrs A. Lyall and A. E. Lewis; committee. Messrs C. C. Wright, A. J. Kearton, A. Jackson, A. Williams, A. J. Hawke, A. J. Kirby, and Captain N. A. Rattray; auditor, Mr D. McDiarmid; delegate to the annual conference, Mr J. A. Lash. A donaton of £l/1/- each was made to the Waimate Highland Pipe Band. Silver Band and Salvation Army Band. The president remarked that the bands had always readily assisted at the Assnciatibn’s activities. Referring to preparations for the celebration of the branch’s twenty-first anniversary, Mr J. M. King, a member of a sub-committee appointed for that purpose, said that a special re-union could be held in the place of the annual function. Invitatons would be sent to the Mayor of Waimate and members of the Borough and County Councils.

Strong Membership There were 2C5 financial members, with another 11 in prospect, compared with 217 in 1938 and 246 in 1937, the annual report stated. The figures, in view of deaths and transfers, were not disappointing. Poppy Day sales brought in £94/19/11, an increase of £2/10/3 on last year. Although the number of unemployed men requiring assistance was less than hitherto, the need in many- instances was as great, and the expenditure of £lO2/11/5 showed that the Poppy Day appeal and Headquarters’ grants from the canteen fund, were still required in full. The Anzac Day' ceremony was well attended and the collection was the largest for three years. The children’s party had been a marked success, and the number attending was at least equal to that of the previous year. Judging from the wide and enthusiastic assistance given in raising funds the function would appear to be the Association's most popular effort. The annual reunion was up to standard, the cricket match was an enjoyable event, while the dance was an outstanding success socially and financially. Tributes were paid to the services given by Mr J. A. Lash in connection with pension matters, and to Messrs D. Newall and W. Carlton in connection with the children’s party. OLD PUPILS’ ASSOCIATION SOCIAL EVENING Two one-act plays. “Five Birds in a Cage” and the "Dear Departed.” were staged at the opening social for the year held by the Waimate High School Old Pupils’ Association. A drama circle was formed, and will meet fortnightly. Groups for dressmaking and homecraft were also formed after the object of the classes had been outlined by a tutor of the Association for Country Education (Miss M. G. Owen). Pictures were screened by Mr G. Aitken, and community- singing and dancing closed the evening.