WANGANUI R.S.A.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19008, 8 May 1924, Page 4

WANGANUI R.S.A.

ANNUAL REPORT. » —■ * V The past year has been one of quiet usefulness, not marked by any outstanding event. The separation of the affairs of the club from those of the association has relieved the association committee of a good deal of work. Membership.—The membership roll at this date stands at 200, including members of Raetihi Sub-Association, which is affiliated to Wanganui. This number is a good deal less than last year’s figures, but it is confidently hoped that there will be no further falling off, and that we shall be able to get back a good many men who allowed their membership to lapse in former years. Members arc urged to do their utmost to recruit for the association any returned men whom they know, so that the interests of returned soldiers may be properly safeguarded by a strong association, and the comradeship of the trenches kept up. Carnival.—During the year a carnival was held in conjunction with the Queen Alexandra Band, with the object of wiping off the liabilities of some £2OO odd, outstanding at the end of last year, and, if possible, supplementing the current finance of the association. The object sought was not quite realised, but a sum of £l7O was raised from this source, with the result that the position of the association is now’ much more satisfactory than it was twelve months ago. For this result the warmest thanks of the association are due to the loyal helpers who worked hard to make the carnival a success.

Anzac Day.—The term of this committee has included two Anzac Days—--1923 and 1924. On both occasions a public religious service was held in Cook’s Gardens, the proceedings being both appropriate and impressive. Poppy Day.—Each year, also, a supply of poppies was sold shortly before Anzac Day, the net proceeds being devoted mainly to the relief of unemployment, and distress among returned men during the winter. Last year the money was expended by arrangement with the Borough Council, on the improvement of Aramoho Park, and much needed assistance was thus provided for a number of deserving cases. The net amount available last year was £lOO, and it is anticipated that this year the amount available will be about the same. It should be bojne in mind that this year a portion of the money is expended through the New Zealand R.S.A., as set out in the particulars published in the press prior to Poppy Day.

Committee.—The committee has held a meeting every month. During this year Mr Lovegrove vacated his seat by non-attendance, and Mr McCrorie resigned from his position of committeeman. Messrs Horsfall and Carter were elected to fill these vacancies, but the latter did not take office. Several eases of claims for pensions, in which the help or advice of the association was sought by the applicants, came before the committee, and in each case a satisfactory result was ultimately obtianed. The association also dealt with several other individual cases of grievance, or hardship of various kinds. The number of these cases coming before the association has grown less of recent years, but there is still much scope for beneficial w’ork to be done by a well-supported organisation. During September the president and scy visited Baetihi on the ‘ annual meeting of the RactihK SubAssociation, and were pleased to note the interest that, was manifest among members there in their organisation. The president and secretary also visited the soldier settlements at Wangaehu and Rapanui, respectively, to explain the provisions of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Amendment Act, passed last session, providing for revaluation of soldiers’ farms. During the year the association was represented at the unveiling ceremony conducted at the War Memorial in Queen’s Park. Incopiing Committee.—The nominations so far received to fill vacancies on the incoming committee are: President, Mr C. H. Brown; committee, Messrs A. W. Hills, E. A. Hylton, A. J. Dingle, J. W. Horsfall, D. Walker, P. Dixon, J. Green. The remainder will be elected at the annual general meeting.

CLUB REPORT. At the last annual meeting of the R.S.A. a separate committee was set up to manage the affairs and finance of the club, which was mado a separate body. The club has been carried on throughout the year, but under considerable difficulty, and the committee is submitting to the annual meeting a proposal to authorise closing down after the present winter, say from September 30 next. The balancesheet shows that there was a loss on the year’s working of approximately £63, and we cannot hope to avoid at least as great a loss if the club is carried on for a further twelve months. During the winter months a fair revenue was obtained from the hire of the hall, and after going carefully into the matter the committee concluded that it would be possible to run on till the date mentioned, and that the assets of the club would then realise a sufficient sum to clear off all liabilities. The feeling of your committee is that the club has fulfilled its function, and if it were financially possible to keep open for a longer period, it is doubtful whether the amount ol use made of it by members during the summer would justify the expense incurred. During the year some alterations were made to enable the former rifle range to be used as a supper room, thereby increasing the letting value of the hall. The caretaker (Mr R. J. Arthur), resigned his position in October last, when Mr M. Beauchamp was appointed to fill the vacancy. Your committee specially wishes to place on record its appreciation of the valuable help and assistance it has received st all times from the Wanganui-Waitotara Patriotic Association. During the past year Mr N. Meuli has ably represented that body on the club committee and the club has every reason to be grate ful for the service he has rendered iti cause.