R.S.A. ANNUAL MEETING

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 175, 28 April 1939, Page 3

R.S.A. ANNUAL MEETING

MR. BAIGENT RE-BLECTE3 PRESIDENT R EGOR D POPPY SALES The attendance at the annual meeting of the Opotiki R.S.A. which was held in the Wattle tea-roc-ins on Wednesday night, was rather disappointing, considering the very large membership. but at. the same time it was evidently an indication that the work being done by the Association is along the right lines. The chair was occupied by Air. E. J. Baigent. The minutes'of the previous annual meeting were read and confirmed. Apologies for absence were received from the Rev. A. C. Hampton and Mr. R. Looney. Those present stood, for a few moments as a mark of respect to those who had passed; away during the year. 'The president presented his annual report and the balance-sheet was read by the secretary, Mr. C. D. Brown. Tim statement of accounts showed that there had been a slight 1 reduction. in the credit balance. in commenting on the balance sheet, Mr. Maxwell said he would like Returned Men to know that the hospital scheme was being carried on still, from quarter to quarter. \ Election cf Officers. The election of officers resulted as' follows : Before vacating the chair, Air. Baigent thanked the members-"of the committee and others who had assisted him during the year. President, Mr. E. J. Baigent (reelected). • Several of those present- spoke in generous terms of the very able manner in which Air. Baigent had looked after the affairs of the Association. Vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Mansell and C. Morris. Committee. Rev. A. C. Hampton, -Messrs. Al. B. Abbot, A. N. Davies, M Stevenson, Saunders. Williams, W. Frew. Al. Yanstoue, FI. G. Reeves, S. Alaxwell. T. H. Pearson and C. D. Brown. Auditor, Air. E. Herring. Hon. Solicitor, Air. G. 13. Altirray. ■Conference Delegate.—lt- was decided to recommend to the incoming committee that reasonable travelling and hotel allowance be paid to the delegate. .Members expressed the opinion that it was hardly fair that the delegate should have to meet his own expenses. Remit.—lt was decided to forward a remit to the conference asking that when n»embers are transferred a copy of his length cf membership should bo forwarded with the transfer. Thanks.—lt was decided to publicly thank all who had helped the Association during the annual function-s, etc. Centennial Anzae Service:—The question of funds for the entertainment of Australian Returned Soldiers who will visit New Zealand next year S in four vessels, was discussed and suggestions were put forward. The matter will be dealt with finally at the annual conference. .Maori Representative*.—A suggestion that there should be a Coast -Maori representative was dealt with and it was decided that a- returned man be asked to call a meeting at Te Kaha fen the purpose of electing a Maori representative-. Honorarium.—lt- was the general opinion that the secretary’s remuneration was very inadequate for the amount of work which had to Inf done and it was decided to increase the amoimt to £lo 15s. Poppy Day.—The secretary stated that the sales of poppies had been a record. Territorial AJovemcnt.—The president stated that Capt. -Gilmore of the Territorial Association would be visiting Opotiki shortly in connection with the Territorial movement- and urged the Returned! Soldiers’ Association to get behind tin* movement and endeavour to have a large attendance at the meeting and in ever.',- way possible seek to make it a success. The secretary stated that Opotiki possessed the finest troop of Territorials in the Auckland Province and had a better attendance at camps than towns of the size of V hangarei. Valedictory.—The president announced that Air. Rumble would Inleaving the district and expressed his thanks to Air. Rumble for his services t 0 the Association. Air. Rumble expressed his appreciation of the remarks of members. Thanks.—A vote, of thanks was passed to- the proprietors of the Wattle tea-reborns for their kindness.

View Obscured.—Air. Frew drew attention to the heavy growth of the trees in front of the Opotiki memorial and considered the trees should be removed, and moved that the council be approached on the matter. Aiembers supported the .suggestion and it was stated) that the Horticultural Society was willing to plant and care for the fenced-off plot. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting. ANNUAL REPORT The following annual report was presented by the president, Air. E. J. Baigent,:— ~ Your executive has pleasure in presenting this' the 20th. annual report of the work of the association. The past year has been a busy one and we again impress on all returned men the need of .an active association. Alontlily meetings have been held and well attended, and valuable service has been rendered to a. number of returned men and) their dependants. The year has ended with a slightly reduced credit balance. Tile legacy left by Airs. Simpson, which is not included in the above amount is now operating and a payment has already been made under this legacy. The hospital scheme arrangements with the Opotiki Hospital Board still stand and will do so until the Social Security Scheme gets under way. The subscription remains the same. Several pension claims, renewals and increases have been successfully negotiated through the year. The Patriotic Committee have been very helpful and all requests put forward by your committee have been received with favourable consideration. Poppy Daj- was again a great success and we extend our sincere thanks to the energetic ladies committee and the Girl Guides for another successful l’oppy Day appeal. To the public we. extend our grateful thanks for tlicir generous support. The annual re-union was held on the evening of the 24th. April and the usual good spirit of comradeship was shown throughout the evening. We are deeply indebted to the ladies’ Anzae dinner committee and the ladies of the district for providing us with such an excellent repast. Alembership has shown a very gratifying and encouraging increase, a record being established of 120 members. This is largely due to the very energetic work of our secretary, Air. C. D. Brown.

A farewell evening was tendered to Aliss Ferguson by the ladies’ Anzae dinner committee at which we had the privilege of expressing our appreciation to Aliss Ferguson for hvr excellent- services to all returned men.

It- is with regret that we record the passing of our late coinradles. Alessrs. Johnny AYalker, Joe Tabb, G. A. ALoselv, G. Ashley and El. J- Sheet.