WORK OF R.S.A.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32425, 1 May 1944, Page 3

WORK OF R.S.A.

AID TO SERVICEMEN PAEROA-PLAINS BRANCH REVIEW BY THE PRESIDENT The following annual report was presented by Mr. E. Edwards president, to the 13th. annual meeting of z the Paeroa and Hauraki Plains Branch of the N. Z. Returned Services Association on Saturday evening. “Your committe has pleasure in presenting the annual report and balsheet for the year ended March ■afe.., 1944, and is pleased to record an\jsdher year of useful service. “The year has introduced new pror blems in connection with present war conditions and we can anticipate many more problems and scope for activities with the return of men from overi seas. So far fifty-six (56) men from the present war have returned and have been accepted to membership of this association. Increase in Membership “The most pleasing feature to report this year is the splendid increase in membership of this branch which . now stands at 343 as compared with 281 last year, an increase of 62. The number of men from the present war on 31st March last year was 16 showing an increase of 40 with our' 56 this year. “Fortunately we have not been called upon to render extensive financial assistance to ex-servicemen

during the period under review, total •payments in this respect ibeing only . AE34-0-0 (approx)' but there are already indications that many: calls will be made on our resources in the near future. We have mad? the usual grant to the Thames R.S.A. to assist the Ladies’ Committee in providing comforts for ex-servicemen patients in the Thames hospital. We would, at • this juncture, express our thanks to the Thames Ladies’ Committee of the R.S.A. for the excellent work they are doing in visiting our men in hospital and providing them with necessities etc. Work of Committee “ Your committee does not hold its meetings regularly, as during these times of travel restrictions it was not deemed necessary to call committeemen from distant parts of the distXpct. Only whent momentous questions are raised are the meetings called, but a sub-committee consisting of your president, one vice-president, two committeemen, the hon. treasurer and the secretary meet almost daily and attend to ordinary routine business or decide the settlement of small accounts and consider grants etc. This sub-committee deals almost daily with , matters of rehabilitation and pensions adjustment. Many of the newly discharged men come to this association seeking guidance, and their approach to the Rehabilitation Department and Pensions office is thereby made easy. It has been found, by long experience, that newly returned men are loath to approach boards or departments of any kind and the guidance and advice of our sub-committee are helpful in this respect. Death Of Members “It is with deep regret that we report the passing of three of our members during the year. Mr Jim Thompson of Kaihere, Mr Ted Roberts,, a veteran of the South African War . and Staff Sergeant-Major W. H. . Judge veteran of many wars from the Jamieson Raid to the present war. Sergt-Major Judge was not buried in this district but Ted Roberts was laid ( to rest at Paeroa and was accorded a : R.S.A. funeral. We also express our ! deep regret at the loss, when pro- j ceeding to active ‘service, of the only j son of one of our members, Mr J. G. | Knap, and !Mr A. Cridge who lost his son in operations over Europe. To the

relatives of Mr Roberts and ’SergtMajor Judge and to Mr Knap and Mr Cridge we tender our sincere sympathy. The late Mr Thompson had no relatives in New Zealand.

“The balance sheet reveals a healthy position for there are credits lin all accounts. The general account ! has a credit of £l3B -5s 2d an increase I of £l5 5s 6d over last year. In the poppy account there is a credit of £2'25 Is Od, an increase of £55 3s 6d and in the canteen account the credit is £l5 16s 6d. i Record Poppy Sales “Anzac Day parade was held as in the past. The address was delivered by one of our members, Mr T. H. Jamieson, and after the service which was ..held in the Regent Theatre the floral, emblems were placed on the cenotaph and on the South African Memorial on. Primrose Hill. “Two smoke concerts were held during the year, one in June and the other in November, the latter being ; a form of welcome to furlough men. j “ Poppy sales were a record, £lOB 3s ' Od being received for the sale of 2300emblems. “The committee desires to place on record the thanks and appreciation of this branch of the association to the ladies of the Women’s Institute and other lady helpers who so kindly and efficiently assisted in selling poppies on Poppy Day. “Before concluding this report, I desire to express the appreciation of the association and my own persona! thanks to our secretary, Mr John Craig, our hon. treasurer, Mr Dave Vincent and our pensions officer, Mr Joe Walmsley for the excellent work they have contributed throughout the year. Their problems have been many but with full co-operation they have met the position with credit to themselves and satisfaction of the association and the members concerned.” 1