WEST COASTERS ALL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1921, Page 4

WEST COASTERS ALL

WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION REVIVED.

(The Dominion)

The West Coasters’ Association, which used to he a very “live” body, has been revived. At a meeting held last Wednesday in the Wellington Chamber of Commerce there was a large attendance of West Coasters, all oager to see the association restored to the position it occupied in pre-war days. Among those present was Air F. M’Parlaiul, who was president before the war. Mr M’Parland declined the chair in favour of Air J. J. M’Gratli, his pro-

poser. The association, said Mr Al’Grath, had been practically dormant since 1914. But now that the war days were over it was in the interests of A\ est Coasters, as well as of the community, that the association should be revived. Since the members had last met tho association had suffered the loss of three vice-presidents, Messrs T. G. M’Cartliy, Martin Kennedy, and Maurice O’Connor, all men who during their lives had done much for the association and the whole community. It had also lost Mr Dick Quinn, the late treasurer; and he thought it was fitting that before any business was done the regret oi the association should lie expressed. It might he asked by outsiders what the need was for such an organisation. But the explanation of the association’s value was the way in which it hound together in common ties as West Coast 1 ers and New Zealanders men belonging by extraction to many different counj tries. The association measured no ! man’s worth by what he had or what position he held in society. It was -a j good thing if the members could keep i in mind the old comradeship of the early Coast days. The fostering of ! that spirit alone was very strong justL licationrior the existence of the body. It could stand as a strong social organisation, always ready to help, the i West Coaster, who needed help. West Const boys returned from the front could be given a helping hand; and,

moreover, the association might enters tain interesting guests, including notnhle visitors to this country from abroad. He moved that the meeting should revive the association. Mr T. E. Y. Hod cl on, ALP., warmly seconded the proposal. He remembered how successful the old meetings had lieen. The time seemed opportune to make the association a live body again. He hoped that the first social would take place when Parliament was siting, because a good many members were interested in the association, and would like to be present. Mrs Seddon, his mother, sent, a message of good will to the other members. She would give willing support to the association. The Hon Roderick Al’Kenscie endorsed the views of the previous speakers. He (relieved that there should he no difficulty at all in getting four or five thousand members. There must be about 20,000 people in Wellington, he thought, who had lieen West Coasters or were descendants of West Coasters. “You cannot kill the spirit of the West Coasters,” said Mr Ben. Warnes. “We West Coasters have much to he proud of in the part played by our fathers and mothers in making New Zealand what it is to-day. We can make the spirit of the West Const revered. 1 hope the society will so prosper that we shall he able to publish a monthly magazine of West Coast news.” The meeting decided unanimously to revive the association.

Mr J. J. AUGnttli was unanimously elected president, and the meeting decided that Mrs R. J. Seddon should he the first patroness of the association. The other officers elected were:—A icepresidents, Hon Roderick M.’Kcnzie, Dr C. G. Morice, the Rev Father Gilbert, .Messrs Knox Gilmer, W. Tliomp,on. T. Dwan, L. Dwan, V. B. Ai’livelier, .) P. Firth, T. E. Y. Seddon, S. Gilmer, R. Hannah, W. Perry, and F. Al’Pa Hand; secretary, Air C. Pin IF; treasurer, Mr Ben AAarnes; auditor, Air R. H. Williams.

Air .Al’Grath moved that for his services All* AUParlnnd should he made the fust life-member. The motion was seconded by Air Seddon, and carried with acclamation.

A committee was set tip to make arrangements for the holding of the annum! (gathering in September. Tho meeting approved a suggestion that smaller social gatherings should lie held before September.