RETURNED SOLDIERS ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1930, Page 3

RETURNED SOLDIERS ASSOCIATION

HOKITIKA BRANCH. The above Branch met at the Soldiers’ Hall at 7.45 o’clock last evening. Present: Messrs Evans (President), Lynch, Menzies, Fade, Armstrong, Gilchrist,l Stuart and Paterson. The formal business being; disposed of, correspondence wap read ' from Headquarters, R.5.A.,, Wellington, forwarding £2 IDs 2d balance on last year’s poppy returns; notifying postponement of Mr Leadley’s tour; and advising as to Executive meeting. In connection with the last subject, the purchase ol a suppiy of 'poppies from the Canterbury Branch through Headquarters. was approved, the poppies to be made by returned disabled men. A notification was received regarding the levying of the amusement tax.

Mr F. Smith’s Orchestra booked the Soldiers’ Hall for popular dances on December 27tli and January sth. An account for £22 Is for gravestones was passed for payment. The Secretary reported the (special account for this purpose was now exhausted. and it was resolved to make a. special appeal to replenish the fund at next Anzac Day gathering. Mr J. O'Brien, M.P., wrote promising to support an amendment to the Gaming Bill to permit euchre tournaments for c-haritnb}? pui-poses.— Received with thanks. Mr O’Brien also advised he would support the Unemployment Bill on the lines desired by the Branch.--Approved. Air IV. El. Brown wroth apologising for absence and suggesting the viceprosicloncy should be filled by the anpointmont of an active member. The suggestion was approved, and Mr A. C. Armstrong was appointed VicePresident, and Mr C. Hart to the vacancy on the Committee.

The Revd. Knights was elected a member of the branch. and Air J. J. Mclntosh an honorary member. The Secretary reported a credit balance of £4B,with liabilities amounting to £l5O. It was decided to appl\ for permission to hold an art union for gold specimens, to be drawn on or about New Year’s Eve; tickets one shilling. The organisation was left tr>. the Secretary.

' Various arrangements for the Old Time Dance on the Bth prox. were made. The music will be provided free by the Black Hand Orchestra as a donation to the hall fund. It was resolved to ask the ladies to undertake the catering on lines similar to the mii’tary ball. Admission _ was fixed at tho popular price of 2s 6d. fit was hoped to"’ make the evening a popular reunion -and in particular to see returned 'men and their wives present in force. Trio indications were that the public would attend in ! large numbers, and many country visitors were expected. Tickets o.f admission were placed on sale. It was resolved' to hold the reunion of the Branch at the Soldiers' Hall on tho 12th November, the nearest available date to Armistice Day.

The meeting concluded at 8.45 o'clock.