RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16451, 19 February 1919, Page 8

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE

A meeting of the executive of the local branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association was held last evening, Mr X. B. McCaiium presiding.

Messrs E„ Hudson and E. Orchard wero welcomed as members of the executive. It was reported that sinoe the last meeting a fortnight • ago 150 new members had been elected. The secretary, Mr W J3 Lead ley, stated that the number of "new members since November 11th was 540, and that they were now joining at the rate of from 70 to 80 weeklv.

\ arious matters relating to pensions, transfers, and the re-issuing of badges were dealt with.

The chairman presented to Mr T. "Whitfield a gold medal for winning the Association's snooker championshio for the current season.

A lively discussion took place on the unsatisfactory state §f a flairs in connexion with land which had been sot aside at Cheviot for returned soldiers, and the secretary was instructed to interview the Commissioner of Crown Lands on the subject It was reported that the Railwav Department had deprived a number of' reterned soldiers in its employ of four days' nay on account of the holidays declared when armistices were signed with Turkey, Bulgaria, Austria, and Germany. This action of the Department was eevenly criticised, and the matter *a eventually referred to the headquarters of the Association in "Wellington for further action. 6

wWi, ° • I " crea f ln « - volume of work which theAssowation has to deal with it X,, 11 /? ecl<3o< * :n future the executive \ ~L m t® J J r usstea< J of fortnightly. a gut of a fine framed oil painting of the V?; °l * ! lon lioness was received from Miss Petne, of Chriatchurch, who tainted the picture her*«lf. It was considered that the picture would make a aolendid Morns'?;;. ° r o TOOmi > 6U<l Miss ,1 w *? accorded a lieaxtv Tote of thanks tat heir