Moresby Rssaila

November Meeting Of

A GENERAL meeting ‘ of the Port Moresbv Branch of the RSSAILA was held in Branch premises at Ela Beach on November 23, at 8 p.m.

The vice-president, Mr. D. L, Pullen was in the chair, the president, Mr. S. E.

Reilly, being in Australia on leave.

Seventy members were present. After the meeting had stood in silence in memory of fallen comrades, the chairman welcomed several new members and an nounced the retirement of Mr. Keith Scott who is returning to Australia. Mr.

Scott became treasurer of the Branch soon after its revival in 1946. His services have always been willingly given and he will be hard to replace. The meeting voted him an honorarium in appreciation of his work for the Branch.

A considerable amount of discussion was given to the proposal that a State Branch for Papua-New Guinea be formed.

It was eventually decided to await the return of the president, when the question will be again placed before a general meeting of the Branch.

It was, however, decided by the meet ing to go ahead at once with the in auguration of a building fund for the construction of a swimming pool and alterations to the Club bar.

Existing medical services in Port Moresby were also discussed —general opinion of members being that they we:e inadequate. A sub-committee was appointed to examine this whole question and to report to the Branch.

REPORTS were received on various Branch projects, as follows: Billiards and snooker: Matches are being played three nights weekly between eleven teams from various Port Moresby clubs. The RSL No. 1 team is at pre sent in the lead.

Children’s Christmas Tree: Prepara tions are going forward for the children's Christmas party, which will be held on December 18. The names of 290 chil dren who will participate have already been listed.

Hospital Visiting: Members are visiting the local hospital and distributing gifts of cigarettes, etc. It was decided by the meeting not to discriminate between ex servicemen and other patients.

Beer Supply: The treasurer was able to report that the Branch’s first consign ment of New Zealand beer for the Club was on the “Bulolo” and that another consignment would be on the “Malaita.”

Only small quantities of beer have been available in Port Moresby in the past two years.

Billiard and Snooker Trophies: The secretary reported that two magnificent silver rose-bowls had been presented to the Branch for snooker and billiard championships. One came from Steam ships Trading Co. Ltd., and the other from Burns Philp (New Guinea) Ltd.