WAIPUKURAU R.S.A.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 127, 15 June 1937, Page 3

WAIPUKURAU R.S.A.

Our Own CorresDondentl.

u m Year's Activities Reviewed

fFrom

WAIPUKUEAU, This Day. Tangible proof that the majority of returned soldiers in the Waipukurau district are prepared to support an organisation whose sole aim is to iuiprove the lot of the less fortunate men who served overseas between 1914 and 1919 is to be found in the fact that the Waipukurau District Eeturned Soldiers' Assoication maintained a financial membership during the past year of 147. This matter was touched upon by the president, Mr. A. O. Williams . in his report adopted at the annual general meeting laBt night. "Thirteen years have elapsed since the tininch was formed, and the information given below together with a perusal of the accounts will show that the branch is receiving the wholehearted support of a large majority of the returned enen of the district and that it is fulfilling a very useful purpose in the eommunity," Mr. Williams stated. "Pleasing features are firstly that most of our members who received assistance from the association during the slump are continuing their support now that conditions have improved and secondly that practically all of the well-situated returned men have supported the branch from the outset and are continuing to do so.. "Eelief of unemployed. — Our members have shared in the general improvement in conditions that has taken place during the last year or so and during the period under raview it has not been necessary to provide assistance on the same scale as during the preceding few years. Nevertheless, wages to the extent of £24 19/6 have been reeeived by five members as a result of the existence of the poppy fund account. This brings the total payments during the last five years to a little over £560. "Saies on Poppy Day totalled over £45, which constitutes a new record. Our thanks are due to the matron at the Waipukurau Hospital and Pukeora Sanatorium, the girls of the District High School and others for assistance given by them in this connection, and to the public for its wonderful support. "Sanatorium patients. — The returned men at Pukeora Sanatoriuai have not been overlooked. A social evening was held at the sanatorium shortly prior to Christmas and was much enjoyed by the patients, and by those members who attended the function. "Beunion.- — A successful Teunion was held in Waipukurau during the year. "Porangahau sub-branch. — The Porangahau sub-braneh continues to function, and serves a very useful purpose iu keeping together the returned men in that portion of the district. "Anzac Day parade.— Over eighty returned men were on parade in Waipukurau this year. Unfortunately, the epidemic xestrictions resulted in the service being curtailed somewhat and prevented tbe holding of a lunch similar to that held in 1936, and which it had been hoped to cnake an annual event." Mr. Williams added that the orghnisation took part in the celebrations, and almost fifty members turned out to the parade that was held. "Our members were very pleased indeed to learn that Miss A. C. Inglis, matron of the Pukeora Sanatorium, had been included amongst those honoured by the King at the time of his coronation," he said. "Miss Inglis is a strong supporter of our branch aud has alw.ays been held in ' high esteera by all returned men with whom she has come in contact, also • Colonel ^ A. S. Wilder and Mr. N. M. Christie, M.P., who were among those honoured. "Our fmances are in a very healthy condition. As at 31/3/37 over £136 was held to the credit of the general account and over £88 to the^ crcdit of special accounts for the relief of unemployed. ' ' ■