HUTT VALLEY R.S.A.

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 185, 2 May 1940, Page 3

HUTT VALLEY R.S.A.

Decline In Membership

A decrease in membership of nearly 100 was shown in the report presented to tlie annual meeting of the Hutt Valley sub-branch of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association this week. The decrease, it was stated, could be largely accounted for by the disorganization caused” by the present crisis. The membership was 055 at the end of March. There was an attendance of 74 members at the meeting, the president, Mr. A. E. Pattinson, presiding. , An important feature of the years work was the establishment of the Taita Cemetery soldiers’ plot, said tlie report, and a "movement now on foot to erect a memorial and lych gate. The architect, who had given his services, was Mr. IV. McKeon. The finances were in a healthy position, the general fund showing an improvement of £23. The association had taken an active part in the centennial celebrations and had assisted in raising money for the memorial on Petone Beach. Eulogistic reference was made to the service given by the retiring president, Mr. A. E. Pattinson. Colonel C. S. Weston congratulated the branch on its move for a soldiers’ plot at the Taita Cemetery and its entertaining soldiers from Trentham. Mr. H. E. Edwards outlined the work done by the war graves committee and spoke of the work done by Mr. A. Woolley at Taita Cemetery. A discussion took place on the question of the association owning its own clubrooms, specially in view of the men returning from the war. Several members advocated that a fund should be opened in the Hutt Valley, and others suggested asking the Wellington branch for assistance from its building fund. The subject was left in the hands of the executive. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. C. J. Ashton; vice-president, Mr. 11. E. Edwards: secretary, Mr. P. E. McNicol; treasurer, Mr. R. Peel; executive committee, Messrs. C. A. Burdan, A. C. Casey, W. Garrett. L. Hook, N. N. Oldershaw, F. D. M. Smith, F. Stunnell, E. F. Wilton, S. 11. Wood and L. W. Woolley: delegates to Wellington Association, Messrs. C. J. Ashton, 11. E. Edwards, and L. W. Woolley, with Mr. N. N. Oldershaw as deputy representative; auditor, Mr. J. W. Harbord.