Otaki R.S.A. Holds Annual Meeting

Chronicle (Levin), 1 May 1948, Page 2

Otaki R.S.A. Holds Annual Meeting

Some 150 members attended the annual meeting of the Otaki R.S.A. •which was- held in the Raukawa Hall last month; The meeting was presided over by Major-General R. Young and apologies were . received from Messrs. H. B. Edhouse, S. Blackburn, V. Morgan, w. Lumsden and H. N, Fearniey. In the absence of . the treasurer, the president "reviewed the balance . sheet which showed the finances of the branc-h to be quite satisfaetory. Before reading the annual report, Major-General R.. Young gave • notice that it was not his intention to seek ■ re-election this year. He remarked that it had given him great pleasure to have been able to hold the positiqn of

president for- so many years. Despite the requests from several members for him to eontinue his service, Mr. Young remaine'd firm in his original. intcnLion. General Young then proposed Mr. H. B. Edhouse for the positlon, paying a tribute to his capabilities. This was carried by acclamation. The electicn of thq. remaining officers resulted as foliows:—Vice -president: Mr. H, J.epson; secretary: Mr. J. McLeod; committee: Messrs. A. Wilson, E. Taylor, T. Simpson, J. Aldworth, R. Clealand, L. Cooksley, B. Bell, J. Simcox (Otaki) , C. Suliivan (Manakau) , R. Walker (Te Horo), J. Walton (Waikanae) and B. Bell (Maori representative) : The 14th annual report was read and showed financial members at 299, an increase of 34 on last yeaf's flgures. On Anzac Pay, services had been held in all centres, when 150 returned servicemen paraded at Otaki. After the service at Manakau, the memori'al to the men who fell in the 1939-45 war was unveiled. Regret was expressed at the passing of Messrs. L. McCracken. L. G. Lowry, and W. Cootes, the lajtter a South African veteran. Mr. Lowry, it was stated wculd be a great loss to the association. The names of the men of this 'district who fell in World War II had«been inscribed on the memorial. The association had contributed £20 towards the citizens' war memprial fund, and 50 fppd parcels had been dispatched to England -to the town of Stretford. At the close: of the meeting, it was 'proposed- that Mr. Young should be elected patron of the branch in honour of his outstanding leadership! and service over a number of years. This was unanimously approved. and. was. carried bv acciamatlcn.