HIS MAJESTY’S VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15836, 5 June 1919, Page 2

HIS MAJESTY’S VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WANGANUI BRANCH.

The above meeting was held in St. Hill Street Chess Clubroom on Saturday, the 3rd May, when some thirteen members were present. Major Lomax, president of this branch, presided. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, after which the hou. secretary (Veteran T. Hickman) presented the annual report and balance-sheet, which was as follows:

ANNUAL REPORT. I beg to report that the members now on the roll of tfiis branch is 33, as against 32 last year. During the year tour New Zealand war veterans have become members, whilst our losses by death have been three. The members have met for ordinary business ten times during the year, but 1 am sorry to say the attendance lias not been too good, the average being only nine'rfor each meeting. During the past year some fifteen members of this uranch visited Hawera to take part in the celebrations in connection with the 50th anniversary of the attack on the “Turuturu Mokai” redoubt. The Government issued free railway passes to Hawera, and our boys were treated right royally by the management committee. This branch had our representative of the fight, namely, Veteran George Tallin, who received five wounds in the engagement, and he with Veteran Beamish, of Patea (who also took part and was wounded in the same engagement) were the “heroes” of the day. Hie members of this branch also took part in the An/.ac Day celebrations, and were present at the Armistice celebrations, but, owing to some misunderstanding about the motor cars, were unable to take part in the procession. The members attended the funerals of two out of the three; members who had answered the “last roll call,” namely. Veterans Greenway and Freeman, but were unable to attend the third—Veteran Bedford Sherrill—he having died at Gisborne." They also attended the funeral of a Maori War veteran at Putiki Pah and the late Captain W. McDonnell. Neither were members of the Association, but they were Maori War veterans, and when death claimed them we considered it our duty to pay the same respect to their memory as if they were one of us. I am pleased to eay that this branch is still in a good financial position, as our balance-sheet shows a credit balance of illß 6s Bd. Considering that the subscription is only 2s 6d per year, I think it is most satisfactory. It was proposed by Veteran Major Lomax, and seconded by Veteran Russell, that the report and balance-sheet be adopted. OPIjTCEDRS.— I The election of officers for the coming year resulted as follows: —Vice-president, Major Lomax (re-elect-ed): general committee, Veterans J. Anderson, Wm. Forsythe, J. G. Russell. J. Farrell, J. Revel I, and T. Hickman (all re-elected); hon. treasurer, Veteran J. K. Revell (re-elected); hon. secretary. Veteran T. Hickman (re-elected); hon. auditor, Veteran T. D. Cummins (reelected). THANKS.—A vote of was passed to the members of the Wanganui Chess Club for the use of their room in which the meetings have been held. Votes of thanks were also passed to the vice-president (Major Lomax), the hon, treasurer (Veteran J. K. Revell), and the hon. secretary (Veteran T. Hickman) for the good services they had done during their terms of office.