ANZAC DINNER

Chronicle (Levin), 27 April 1946, Page 3

ANZAC DINNER

— : . m W I. ENTERTAINS R.S.A. } . - — — Upoii en'tering the Druids' Hall on Thursday one was met with long lines of tables, covered with delightful things to eat, the oecasion being the Shannon Women's Institute's annual dinner to- returned • service -personnel.. Some 256 returned men were present,.-and guests included home service ■ personnel and. members of the' Levin Pipe Band, who were in to'wn for the Anzac parade. Apologies were received from Messrs. L. G. Lowry, M.P.j D. B. Annesley, S. Easton, D. Easton, Colville, L. J. Morgan and Pte. N. Coley. , - ~v Mrs. J. A. Easton extended a welcome on behalf of the Women's Institute, and the Rev. Mr. Martin said grace. Then everyone present set in to enjoy themselves. Mr. J. T. Bovis, as toastmaster, kept things moving in his usual bright manner. The toast of "The King" was proposed by Mr. Bovis and honoured in the customary manner. Other toasts were as follows: "The Women's ' Institute," proposed by Mr. S. W. Barber and responded to by Mrs. J. A, Easton, president of the W.I. ; "The Levin Pipe Band," Mr. W. H. Behrens — Drum-Major Carmichael; . "The Shannon R.S.A.," the Mayor (Mr. R. E. Downes) — Mr. ,R. Hook; "2nd N.Z.E.F.," Mr. S. H. Roberts — Mr. D. Aitchison; "The Visitors," Mr. C. Guerin — Mr. T. Jones, a merchant seaman from London; "The Helpers," Mr. Sinclair. During the aftern'oon the oppor1 tunity was taken to farewell eight Imen of "J-Force" who are at present on final leave. These men were: Ptes. T. Spring, N. Taylor, J. Robinson, C. Ryder, Sunnex, Aislabie, Marriatt, N. Saunders and T. Atkinson. Mr. S. W. Barber, president of the R.S.A. , menticned that the boys were going overseas to do a very necessary job. He hoped that their task would be a pleasant one, and that there would be no trouble in Japan. He wished them a good trip and a safe return to this country. Mr. E. ■ J. Gunning, on behalf of the R.S.A., presented each member with a parting gift. Mrs. J. .A. Easton, on behalf of the W.I., spoke, and wished the boys every success- and a pleasant trip. She called upon Mrs. R. Roberts to make a small presentation to the boys. ■ The next speaker was the Mayor, Mr. Downes, who also wished them all the best that was possible, and hoped conditions would have quietened down in Japan when they arrived. Mr. A. Gillespie spoke on behalf of the Shannon Football Club. During the afternoon musical items were rendered by the Rev. Mr.. Martin. and Mr> Aislabie,.