PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, 17 May 1923, Page 5

PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of subscribers to the Wairarapa Patriotic Association was held in Masterton yesterday, when there were present Messrs J. M. Coradine (in the chair), D. P. Loasby (Greytown), D. McGregor, G. H. Perry, J. F. Hebenton, R Lte, W. Candy, J. W. Kershaw (Marcutborough), R. R. Burridge, W. Perry, A G. Pilmer, W. B. Matheson (Ek.> tahuna), Q. Donald (Featherston), W. H. Booth (Carterton), D. K. Logau, G C Summerell, G. C. Williams, J. W. Card (Featherston), A. Forsberg f Mauriceville). G. R. Sykes. M p., Hugh Morrison and A. J. Parton (Carterton). Apologies were received from Messrs F. C. Turnor, J. B. Carruthers, A. D. McLeoa, M.P., T. Bedding, T. F. Watson, and M. R. Smith, The chairman in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet (already published in “The Age”), discussed at some length the figures as disclosed in these documents and explained that future revenue for the Association would depend upon the interest from investments, the repayment of £37,000 on loan to soldiers, and interest on the advance for the purchase of the Ahlakouka farm. Of the sum of £37,000 there was a large amount that in his oijinion would never be collected, but this was a matter that the Claims Board would have to deal with in the near future. At present there was £5762 outstanding in repayments, for which no arrangements have been made. He, for one, was not gojng to be instrumental in creating hardships for those who honestly could not meet their liabilities. (Applause). He could not say what the result would be when the Government had had a wash-up with the soldiers’ farms. Mr G. C. Summerell (treasurer), seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr D. K. Logan explained the position with reference to the Ahiakouka Farm loans, and Mr William Perry spoke regarding the So idlers’ Training Farm. Mr W. Howard Booth said that the thanks o£ the whole Wairarapa were due to those men in Masterton who had taken such a keen interest in. the welfare of the soldiers and of the administration of the Association’s funds. (Hear, hear). A vote of appreciation was recorded in recognition of the work of the outlying committees, who. as Mr Coradine explained, had rendered very valuable assistance to the Claims Board in reporting on application tor loans, etc., from their respective districts. This had made the work of the board m%ch fasier than it otherwise would have been. The present executive committee was re-elected for a further term without alteration or addition. The election of three members to represent the subscribers resulted in the following being elected: Messrs A. P. Whatman. D. McGregor, and A. McDonald. Mr J. F. A. Hebenton was elected as representative on behalf of tne Returned Soldiers’ Association. A vote of thanks to the Claims Board for their assistance and sympathetic treatment was placed on record by the returned soldiers and their dependants. MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. At a meeting of the executive committee held afterwards the following office bearers were elected for the ensuing term; —Messrs J. M. <bradine, chairman, G. C. Summerell, treasurer, and A. McGregor (as trustee in place of the late Air W. J. Welch). The Claims Board was reelected with the inclusion of Mr A. McGregor, vice the late W. J. Welch. The district committees were re-ap-pointed for a further term without alteration. and Mr G. W. Sellar, F.I.A. (N.Z.), was re-appointed auditor. Votes of thanks for the efficient services rendered by the following were placed on record: — Miss Card, secretary at Featherston; Mr A. J. Parion (Carterton), Messrs Gawith and Loggn, and Mr A. E. Prontioe, secretary.