New Zealand Engineers' Annual Reunion

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 225, 21 September 1940, Page 5 (Supplement)

New Zealand Engineers' Annual Reunion

The annual reunion of the New Zea- j land Engineers, Ist 8.E.F., was held in ' the Masonic Hall, Princes Street, Auckland, on Saturday night. There were 140 members present from all parts of th« North Island. Mr. N. L. Higginson, of Okoroire, presided and welcomed the representatives of the navy and army. The reunion, which -was the fifteenth that haa been held, was one of the most successful, maintaining the high standard that had been set in previous years. Among those present were the patron, Colonel L. M. Shera, 0.8. E., C.M., VD., , and Seigeant-Major E. P. Meachen, M.P., who for the occasion. ■* Many of jjtha-«peakers' madft>Teferenoe to the present war, and a particularly fine tribute was paid by Colonel Dawson in his toast of the navy, army and air force, to the work of those services. Other toasts were:—"New Zealand Engineers," Mr. Bryce Hart, responded to by Mr. N. L. Vickerman; "Fallen Comrades," by Mr. S. T. Carter; "R.S.A, and Kindred .Associations," Mr. D. McLaren, responded to by Mr. J. W. Kendall; "Our Visitors," Mr. E. G. Scrimshaw, Captain Barclay, R.E.; "The Aussies," Mr. T. W. Todd, Captain H. J. Beavis, A.I.F. Lieut.-Commarider R.- C. E.' Harding, R.N., and Major C. D. Herman, N.Z.S.C. (on behalf of Colonel N. McD. Weir) responded to the Services' toast. Items were contributed by Messrs. Dudley Wrathall, Stan Asquith and W. Todd. Mr. W. Purcell acted as accompanist. A tribute wae paid to Mr. Syd. Carter, who has been secretary for the past 14 years. The prize for the best Digger story went to Colonel T. H. Dawson.