EX-SERVICEMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21229, 27 September 1940, Page 9

EX-SERVICEMEN

WAIKATO ACTIVITIES RETURNED SOLDIERS’ NOTES INCREASING MEMBERSHIP (By “Dink”) It is very pleasing to note that many returned soldiers are again seeking membership of the Returned Soldiers’ Association and at the executive meeting held last week fifteen new memoeis were added to the ranks. The latest Headquarters return shows tne Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association to be the fifth strongest association in the Dominion, a position that is exceeded only by the four main centres. A visitor to Hamilton during the last week-end was Sergt.-Major J. Blackball, who is now a member of the permanent staff. Sergt.-Major Blackhall is one ol the many members of the Hamilton Company of the National Military Reserve, Class 2, sent forward to instructional duties in the permanent Forces. Many requests for books and magazines still come in from the camps and any persons wishing to contribute these very acceptable adjuncts to camp life are requested to parcel them up and leave them with Mr E. C.- Day, who will see that they are forwarded to their proper destination. At a recent executive, meeting of the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association Mr D. I. Gate was elected to fill the presidential chair of our association which was rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr A. J. White. At the same meeting Mr E. G. Scrimshaw was unanimously elected to the office of the vicepresident. Mr Scrimshaw has been a diligent worker in the interests of the association ior many years and all will join in extending to him congratulations on the honour achieved The Te Awamutu Returned Soldiers’ Association are holding a golf tournament on the Te Awamutu golf links on Sunday, September 29, and an enjoyable day may be looked forward to. Zero hour is 9.30 a.m. The plan of attack and any further particulars may be obtained from Messrs C. O. Edmonds or H. M. Andrews, Te Awamutu. The Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association is fortunate to secure the services of Mr L. E. Haines, who has been elected a member of the executive to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr A. J. White. Mr Haines commenced military service as a member of the East Surrey Regiment and saw service during the last war as a Major in the 7th Battalion Ist Division Canadian Infantry. He is at present officer commanding the National Military Reserve in Hamilton. Prior to coming to New Zealand some two years ago, Major Haines, for three years, held the office of vicepresident of the Jasper Park branch of the Canadian Legion, a kindred organisation to the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. Imbued with a deep sense of duty many members of the Class 2 National Military Reserve have been parading nightly with the object of attaining the desired efficiency to form a nucleus of non-commissioned officers