VETERANS' ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 167, 9 August 1909, Page 3

VETERANS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Taranaki branch of the Royal New Zealand' Association of his Majesty's Veterans was held in the Town Hall on Saturday afternoon. In the absence of Captain Standish (vice-president) Colonel Ellis was voted to the chair. There were nearly forty members present. An apology was received from Captain Mace, N.Z.C.

Before passing on to the business of the meeting, a welcome was extended to lieutenant Kirkby, an old comrade i.nd friend of many of the members, who had been invited by Captain J. C. Davies to he present.. FIXAXCE. The annual statement of accounts

showed that the total receipts were £l7 ss, and there was a credit balance of £3 6s Od. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The following letter was received from Captain Standish, addressed to Colonel Ellis: ''On full consideration, and also knowing that some of our veterans desire a change, I have decided not to seek re-election as vice-president, and that the members may have a free hand in making their choice, T shall not attend the meeting this afternoon. 1 hope you will stand anil be elected, and then the Association will have a good and capable officer at their head. Will you kindly read this note to the meeting and thank the members for the many honors they have, in the past con l'erred upon me? I Intend visiting Wellington next month, and if the members desire it, will be pleased to act as their delegate jointly with Mr. Wilson Hursthouse, at the Association's Conference."

Captain J. C. Davie? said that the letter came as a total surprise to him, and doubtless to the majority of those present. Much as he regretted Mr. 'Standish's decision, lie felt that it would be useless to ask him to re-con-eider his decision, for he ivas a man fo r whom there was no turning when lie made up his mind. He moved the following resolution: "That the members of the Royal New Zealand Assoeition of his "Majesty's Veterans present at this meeting regret exceedingly that Captain Arthur Standish lias expressed his intention not to seek re-election as vice-president, a position he has held for so long, and that a vote of thanks be accorded him for his past services." Sergeant DuOm seconded the molion.

Mr. O'Donnell paid a tribute to thi; energy displayed by Csiptnin Standish in instituting the branch, and in all its affairs since that time. He also eulogised the late vice-president's successful efforts in connection with the erection of the Marsland Hill memorial. The chairman suggested that Mr. Standish might be waited on and asked to re-consider his decision, hut the meeting considered that that woulij be of no use, and the election was proceeded with.

Mr. F. W. Brooking moved, and Mr. O. Oxenliam seconded the appointment of Colonel Ellis as vice-president.—Car-ried unanimously,—ln returning (luniks the chairman said that he little dreamed when he took the "Queen's shilling" about fifty years' ago that he would ever have this honor. He appreciated ■the honor very much, and promised his comrades that lie would do his best at all times to further the interests of the veterans. Captain Standish and Mr. Wilson Hursthouse were appointed delegates to the annual conference to be held next month in Wellington. Other officers elected were:—Treasurer, Captain McKellaT; secretary. Caplain John Black; auditor. Mr.'W. F. Brooking; committee, Captain Macs, N.Z.C., Captain J. C. Davies, Messrs G. Adlam, F. Oliver, J. Kenyan, R. Wells, and O. Oxenham. The secretary was instructed to write to the general secretary in Wellington requesting him to recognise only Captain Black, the local secretary, in his communications with the Taranaki branch

o r concerning its affairs. A motion was proposed and seconded that Captain Black be granted a bonus as a mark of appreciation of his excellent services as secretary, but upon his stating his unwillingness- to receive the bonus, and announcing his liking for tire work as a "labor of love," the motion : was withdrawn, and a vote of thanks to Captain Black put and carried unaniI mous'ly.

A JUBILEE. Mr. Kyngdon proposed that it be a recommendation to the committee to fittingly celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the AVaireka engagement in March next.—Seconded by Mr. T. P. Lister, and carried.