N.Z. NATIVES' ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2882, 21 September 1916, Page 9

N.Z. NATIVES' ASSOCIATION

ANN DAL REPORT. • The annual report-of the New Zealand Natives' Association states that the' war has placed a strain upon the finances owing to the great number of members who have enlisted. At the clubroom a stage has been erected which should prove a benefit to the Social and Dramatic Club. The Hon. W. H. Herries autl Mr. L. M'Kenzie are thanked for donations towards the' cost. Tlio association's band, under the condnctorsWp of Lieut. T. Herd, has given excellent support to all patriotic functions. Many of the members have enlisted, and the -war has also affected the band income, but notwithstanding this.the band has been self-supporting. Quiet and' thorough work has been done by the Ladies' Guild,, which is now recognised by the Government as a valuable aid in its special sphere of usefulness. The ladies visit the Hospital twico weekly and provide all kinds of delicacies out of their funds. They also provide motor drives for such as are convalescent, and evening and afternoon parties, also 'musical entertainments of the highest standard for the sick in hospital—in fact, everything possible has been done to make the lot of our wounded and sick boys bright and cheerful. _ Tho ladies, under tho able leadership of Mrs. M'Vicari desire to thank their friends who have so readily placed their cars at their disposal, and especially the Hon. AY. H. Herries for his acceptable donation towards tho hire of cars,' and they also thank the Hon. J. Allen, and the Hon.. R. Hcat'on Rhodes for the great assistance they have rendered the guild in its work. . Among other activities, a .purchase associatioii has been established, on- ■ abling financial members to receive discount on all purchases from the business firms on tho list. The social and dramatic club shows great promise, and will help those with ability in this direction. Through tho' good services ' of Mr. and Mrs. Oulford Hell the club has been able to simply tho. men in Trcntham Camp with a regular fortnightly concert of the highest standard, which has been greatly anpreciat- . cd by both officers and men. Tlio com- i mittee thanks all those who have assisted at those concerts, and also the owners of the private motor-cars for tho conveyance of the -performers to and from tho [camp. The committee hns under consideration a mediciil benefit branch, which will enable financialmembers, upon payment of Gd. per'week, to obtain full medical benefit for man, wife; and family.