OLD THAMES BOYS.

Waikato Times, Issue 12183, 19 September 1911, Page 4

OLD THAMES BOYS.

A WAIKATO ASSOCIATION.

A large number of ex-Thames residents gathered at the Hamilton Hotel last evening for the purpose of considering the advisability of forming an association on th 3 lines of the Auckland body. APOLQGiES.

Apologias were received for ;.te absence of Messrs Brown . ampo), Booth, Varnay, Jones, Palunige, j'. Osborne, M ana A. Quick, and C. Otto (Ongiarue). The convenors Messrs E. Bates, A. E. Cooke and G. E. Buckland briefly touched on the advantages of such an association. They had hoped to form a body with about 15 to 2(J

members, and t 0 their surprise found that there were over lno ex-Thames residents at Hamilton willing to join. Once the association was formed no difficulty would be experienced in keeping it going, the members of the parent association having promised to give every assistance. The Auckland body started with a membership of G, and at the present day the list contains 300 names, so that if only 60 per cent, of those whose names were handed in joined the Waikato Association they would be starting very well.

After the objects and advantages of such an association had been enlarged upon by several speakers, Mr G. E. Buckland moved that "A branch of the Old Thames Boys' Association be formed in Hamilton, as a branch of the parent body in Auckland." This was seconded by G. F. Hulme and carried unanimously- . ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of office-bearers resulted Patron, Mr H. J. Greenslade, M.P. ; vice-patrons, Messrs C. Manuel, Wm. Blomfield and Sands ; president, Mr J. B. Hooper ; vicepresidents, Messrs G. F. Hulme, Lymburn, senr., J. Varney, A. E. Cooke, G. E. Buckland, E. D. Bates, R. Restell ; committee, Messrs C. Tonkin, Watson, S. Stapleton, G. Richards, W. Shields and A. Newdick ; secretary, Mr R. H. Coomfces; treasurer, Mr A. E. Cooke ; auditors, Messrs W. Burne-Smith and Paltridge.

COUNTRY MEMBERS. Mr Bates, suggested that a country committee be set up for the purpose of enrolling old Thames Boys residing in the outlying districts, and the following gentlemen were appointed with power to add to their numbers Messrs J. Coutts (Te Kniti), Gillespie (Te Kowhai), A. Thomas (Cambridge), H. Pearce (Rotorua), G. Davis (Putararu), B. Smith (Ngaruawahia) and J. Paull (Ohaupo).

SUBSCRIPTION. The subscription was fixed at five shillings per year, and it was decided to adopt the Auckland Association's badge. THE OPENING SOCIAL.

The matter of -arranging the initial social gathering was left in the hands of the committee. a vote of thanks t 0 Mr Hooper for the use of the room concluded the meeting.