SOLDIERS OF YESTERDAY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2881, 20 September 1916, Page 8

SOLDIERS OF YESTERDAY

r —tWELLINGTON BRANCH OP .VETERANS' ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of tho Wellington Branch of tho Now Zealand Veterans' Association was hold on Monday night at_ the Returned Soldiers' Club, tliero being a numerous attendance of members, presided"' over by Mr. . R. Tingey (vice-president). _ The annual report stated that during tho year five new members had boon elected and three had died—Messrs J. Smyth. J. Burke, and Dugald MncKollar. The roll now numbered 1 80. The chairman stated that while Comrade Christie was in tho Defence Stores ho had mado a Jino colleotion of trophies and old arms and ammunition. Whon they loft Buckle Stroot it was understood that they were to,be looked after, but no trace could bo found 1 of them. It was a pity, because they wero of valuo to the veterans, if not to the general public. Lieut. Humpt,ries had dono his best to get thorn, but had failed. T,ic chairman went on to thank tho committee of' the Soldiers' Club.for tho use of the ro'om, obtained through Captain Simson. 'Tho term of tenure was apparently only six months, but ho hor/ecf it would bo oxtended. If they had tho continuous uso of the room thoy hadi every reason to bcliovo that the •branch would .'.increase in strength, and that as time wont on some of tho younger veterans would join. The . balance-sheet showed a credit balanco of £96 165., and the chairman remarked' that tho money at the disposal of tho. association w«6 used to help old members who. needed assistance. .-■■ Mr. G. B. Purdy moved tho adoption of 'tho report and balance-sheet, and'in so doing congratulated- the secretary (Mr.'S. Stidolpli) on the admirable manner in which ho had carried out his duties. Tho motion was seconded by Mr. Robinson, and carried. The election of officers resulted as under (His Excellency tho Governor is presidout):—Vice-president, Mr. G. B. Purdy; secretary and treasurer, Air. S. Stidolph (re-elected); auditor, Mr. T. Blandl (re-elected); delegates to the Now Zealand Association, Lieut.-Col. C. D. Mackintosh and Mr. R. Tingey; sergeant-major, Mr. W. Christie (reelected) ; committee, Captain Henry, and, Messrs. W. Christie, 0. B. Eos, R. Tingey, J. G. W. Dalrymple, Robinson, and L. Brown. Colonel Porter said ho thought it was time that, all the veterans in New Zealand should bo brought into touch with one another, and he proposed that a complete list of all military, medallists now drawing pensions bo obtained from the Commissioner of Pensions and their addresses bo entered in tho Central Register in "Wellington, with a viow to keeping in touch with them in various directions. He would bo glad, ho said, to assist, the committee in carrying out tho work of enrolment. The secretary said this was not the work of a branch, but of the association. Colonel Porter said if this branch obtained the roll it .could! lay it before tho association for it to : deal with. Eventual'}' Colonel Porter withdrew his motion.