ANNUAL MEETING OF WAVERLEY-WAITOTARA R.S.A.

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 May 1950, Page 6

ANNUAL MEETING OF WAVERLEY-WAITOTARA R.S.A.

WAVERLEY. May 29 (OC).—Dr. P. V. Graves, 1914-18, 1939-45, presided over a record attendance at the annual meeting of the Waverley-Wai-totara R.S.A. The annual report and balance-sheet were read, discussed and adopted. The association has a good credit balance even though some hundreds of pounds has been spent on food parcels over a period of years. The election of officers resulted:— President, D»'. P. V. Graves; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs M. H. Dickie, S. B. Wilson; hon. treasurer, Mr R. J. M. Coleman; hon. secretary, Mr. R. Hammonds; committee Messrs. A .J. Larsen, L. M. Fairbrother; M. Halley, A. Pokau, D. K. Chamberlain, F. J. * Bilton, C. W. Pollard, H. J. Slater, W. F. Alexander and C. H. Harden. The procedure for Anzac Services in future years was fully discussed, and, after hearing the views of a number of members, it was resolved that there be a service in Waitotara and one in Waverley, but, if possible, these services should be held in the morning. Dr. Graves had covered most of the activities of the association in the annual report and in conclusion wished to thank all members of the committee and association for their generous support over the past year. ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1950. “The membership now stands at 145 as against 173 last year,” stated the annual report. “To some of you perhaps the activities of this branch are not enough—to others, no matter how active we may be, th;|y would not be sufficiently interested to accord any more support than they do at present. How we can stimulate the interests of these members and keep this branch and the R.S.A. in general active and alive is a difficult problem, and one that is the serious consideration of the Dominion Executive, to such an extent, that a special session at the next conference in June, is to be devoted to this subject, which has also been referred to in the April number of the ’Review,’ and also in a separate report by Mr E. J. McCabe, assistant general secretary, on the future development of the R.S.A. “There are also some amongst us who do not only absent themselves from all functions, but who also have plenty of criticism of an adverse or destructive nature to offer ‘off stage,’ so to speak, and who never venture to come and speak their minds openly at meetings or offer any helpful ideas. Fortunately, I think there are only a few in this branch, who might so think and who might consider their association is run by the same old crowd for their own interests and. nobody elses. < “Let our metings and all other functions, in the future be well attended; let all grievances and petty problems be well and truly brought to light. Then we will be a healthy, vigorous branch. There is too great a tendency to leave all issues to the other chap to attend to, and the unsatisfactory result is stagnation. We must not stand still. We have a powerful organisation, which requires the full co-operation of all members.

“Activities.—The few functions we have had have been very successful—the annual ball, smoko, three film evenings, ana this year’s picnic, which was a new and successful innovation, undertaken mainly to give an opportunity for the Serviceman and his family to gather together, and particularly the children, and also for the purpose of returning some of the hospitality to the public for the interest and help in the past. Hence the reason for widening the invitation to include everyone in the district, whether members of returned services Or not. It now seems that this will be an annual event, but it will have to be earlier in the summer. “Land Settlement. —It may interest you to know that in the Wanganui Rehabilitation District 47 units have been purchased and 169 servicemen have been graded and are awaiting settlement. Of this number, in our area, at least 16 have been settled on farms and some 24 others have been graded and are awaiting settlement. The thanks of this association are due to Mr. A. J. Larsen for the work he has done in this matter as our Rehabilitation representative. “Anzac Day.—lt was gratifying to see such a good attendance at the Waverley Parade, and a very fine address was delivered by Mr. Huston, of Hawera, a former president of the South Taranaki R.S.A. It is likely in future that the school service will take place the day before when a greater number can be present. The future local observance of Anzac Day in this district is one of the important items on the agenda tonight when it is hoped a full and frank discussion will take place. WAVERLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. "Your committee unanimously decided that this association should become a member of this newly formed body, of which any person or authorised organisation in the district may become members, and we have been represented at all their meetings to date.” Rugby Boundary Dispute The boundary dispute between the Taihape Rugby Sub-Union and the Oroua Sub-Union will be referred by the Wanganui Rugby Union to the commissioner, appointed by the New Zealand Union, to investigate such disputes. The dispute concerns the Mangaweka Club, which wishes to continue playing in the Taihape competition. However, the Oroua SubUnion claims that msny of the players live in the Oroua district and therefore should be playing Rugby in that district. Permission is to be sought by the Wanganui Union for those players in the Oroua district to continue playing with Mangaweka.