HERITAGE MOVEMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23347, 2 November 1945, Page 3

HERITAGE MOVEMENT

First Annual Meeting Much Work Remains To Be Done During the year the membership grew to a total of 174, including 26 life members, stated the report presented at the first annual meeting of Heritage (South Canterbury) last evening by the president (Mr S. G. McClelland). The financial position was healthy and a bequest of £5OO, subject to a life interest, was made to the organisation during the year. The year had been a trial one in which the movement had been established, continued the president. While a fair job had been done there was much that remained to be accomplished. It was pleasing that membership continued to increase. “We anticipate that our greatest expenditure will be in the future when the children of deceased servicemen begin to grow up.” said Mr P. B. Foote. “As the war recedes in the mi.nds of the people it will become more difficult to raise funds for our work. Now is the time for us to build up our finances for the work that lies ahead.”

During the earlier part of the year visits had been made to all the families of children registered with Heritage in South Canterbury, reported Mr B. L. Blodorn (chairman of the visiting committee). At that time little real assistance was required from the movement. Later visits to the mothers and guardians of the children proved that the people were appreciative of the offers made by Heritage. Recently a large number of new names of children of deceased servicemen had been received and a number of these had not yet been visited, some of them being in the country. At an early date visits would be made and maintained. It seemed to him. added Mr Blodorn. that there was not a great need for sponsors at present. “Sponsors are important; when will they be needed?" asked the Rev. M. W. ‘Wilson. “When the boys complete their schooling they will reach a stage when a man’s assistance and advice are of great value. But it is of little use to appoint the sponsors now. Sponsors should be appointed earlier so that boys and the men will be well known to each other when the man’s help is first needed. It will be only when a sponsor is sought that he will be appointed; in some cases it is preferred that male relatives of the children take the place of their fathers. Where required, we should appoint sponsors now'.” The president: That will be a recommendation to the committee. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr S. G. McClelland; vicepresidents. Messrs J. M. Bishop. G. H. Andrews and the Rev. M. W. Wilson; committee, Messrs V. W. Wilson, A. G. Tait, W. I. Tait. P. B. Foote, M. A. Raymond, A. R. Graham, James Drummond. B. L. Blodorn and C. F. B Clarke; hon. auditor. Mr A. A. Solomon.