Annual Meeting Of Shannon Branch Of R.S.A.

Chronicle (Levin), 29 April 1949, Page 3

Annual Meeting Of Shannon Branch Of R.S.A.

The annual general meeting of the Shannon branch of the Returned Services' Association was held recently, when the retiring president, Mr. B. Clayton, presided over an attendance of 22 members. A welcome was extended to Mr. J. Phillips, who was a visitor for the meeting. President's Report. In his report covering the aetivities of the branch for the year, Mr. Clayton made mention of the 1948 Anzac parade and service, extending thanks to all who had made the day a memorable one. He also thanked the members of the Women's Institute for once again providing the Anzac dinner. It was also reported that a number of members and their wives had visit-e-d Levin to extend a welcome to the visiting Australian returned service delegation. He thanked the Levin branch for the opportunity extended to Shannon R.S.A. members to meet the "Aussies." Regarding membership, Mr. Clayton stated that at present 250 members were enrolled; 55 were from the Tokomaru sub-branch and 195 were Shannon members; 215 of these were financial and one honorary member was attadhed to the branch. Touching on the food for Britain campaign, Mr. Clayton said that since the inception of the fund over £240 worth of parcels had been sent by the branch. He expressed thanks to all those who had given donations towards this worthy fund. At the moment there was a credit halance of £12 in the fund. During the year there had been some discussion regarding the holding of the general meetings on a night other than Saturday and a questionnaire had been sent to members. as the result of the opinion of members Saturday night meetings had been favoured. The attendances at meetings still remained very poor, and Mr. Clayton appealed to members to give a better response during the coming year. He said that, together with Mr. H. D. Aitchison, he had represented the branch at a meeting of the War Memorial Hall Committee and promised the support of the R.S.A. On June 12 a message Of congratulations was sent by the branch to Major-General Kippenbeiger on^being awarded the O.B.E. On August 14 the branch had adopted a suggestion to hold Naafi nights at each quarterly meeting, and this had proved very popular and had also served to increase the attendance at th meeting. Some 34 members had attended, although this ,was- not, .as' many n^s was expectbd. 'September '9 also sa^ the branfch ehter into something out of the:;grdina£y..,i$hen' 'the emfertainmbrit ^omihittee , had conducted a posers," penalties and . proflts qiiiz in' aid of thO food for 'Britain fundt This had proved very popular and a profit of over £35 resulted. Thanks were due to those business people who had donated prizes, Mrs. E. L. Hyde for the use of the theatre and the film free of charge and Mr. "Sandy" Pope for acting as quizmaster. . On October 13 the Moutoa Hall was the scene of a function conducted- by the R.S.A., at which the women's section were the guests, continued Mr. Clayton. Indoor bowls and cards provided enjoyable entertainment. The annual re-union, held on November 20, had been an outstanding success, thanks to the Women's Section, the entertainment committee and the "Tin Hat" Club. J-Force membors were among those present. A most enjoyable Christmas party was given members of the family of R.S.A. personnel by the women's 'section. This function provided fun and entertainment for both the youngsters and the older folk. An evening was extended to the members of the Shannon Women's Institute on March 31. The attendance was good. During the year three members had received their decorations from the hands of the Governor-General. They were Mr. F. O. Burtt (Efficiency Medal), Mr. N. Callesen (Military Medal) and Lieut.-Colonel J. H. Sharp (O.B.E.) . Men in hospital were again supplied with cigarettes and tobacco as part of the branch's hospital comforts service. In concluding his report, Mr. Clayton extended his sincere thanks to the secretary, Mr. E. J. Gunning, for the efficient manner in which he had carried out his duties and to the executive committee and all those who had given loyal support during his term of office. A statement of accounts was presented by the treasurer, Mr. V. J. Bateman. Election Of Offlcers. The following officers were elected for the coming year;— President, Mr. F. O. Burtt; vice-presidnts, Messrs. C. Guerin, P. J. Cole and S. W. Barber; secretary, Mr. E. J. Gunning; treasurer, Mr. V. J. Bateman; executive committee, Messrs. Burtt, Guerin, Cole, Barber, Bateman, J. W. Ritchie, B. Clayton, X A. Reid, T. E. Haley, I. P. Hemmingsen and J. T. Bovis; entertainment committee, Messrs. P. J. Cole (chairman) , V. J. Bateman, L. Carter, C. Guerin, R. O'Donnell, O. H. Tippler, S. W. Barber, J. A. Reid, G. S. Beer, K. J. Randolph, W. P. McLeish, T. E. Haley, H. D. Aitchison, W„ Third and Lieut.-Colonel Sharp; Press officer, Mr. T. S. Downes; official delegate to annual conference, Mr, X, R„ Kelly; asso-

ciate delegate, Mr. W. L. Carter., General Business. On the motion of Mr. Bovis, it was resolved that the subscription remain at 10s per member per an-? num and this sum include!. the , spb| scription to the R.S.A. R'eview. It was advised that,ak& previo.y& meeting it had been.^de6id^ii'40 $9"operate with the War Memorial Hall Committee by holding a function in about three months' time, when the Wellihgton > "Tiri 'Hat" Club would provide the entertainment. On the motion- of Mr. Bateman, it was agreed to hold over the £12 which had • been donated by members to the hall fund and add it to the sum received from the. concert. This would be done only after the donors had approved. • ' Considerable discussion' was entered into after a question was raised regarding the advisability of holding the general meetings each month. It was suggested that quarterly meetings would be sufficient and that the executive could deal with routine business between meetings. A vote was taken and an amendment, " moved by Mr. Clayton, that the meetings be held every two ' months, f ollowed by a Naafi night, was carried. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.' 1