PLEASANT REUNION

Chronicle (Levin), 10 November 1947, Page 2

PLEASANT REUNION

v R.S.A.'S ANNUAL GATHERING . Members of the Otaki R.S.A. held I their annual reuiiion in _ the Raukawa Hall on Saturday night, when there was an attendance of about 200 returned servicemen., Major-General R. Young, president i of the Otaki branch, preside'd, and was supported by the vicepresident, Mr. H. B. Edhouse. Present as r.epresenting the nursing service were Mrs. Evans and Misses O'Laughlin, Forrester, Swabey and King. Aicer the loyal toast had been honoured, and the singing of "Requiem" by Mr. W. H. Townrow and the sounding of "Reveille" by Mr. R. Pickering, the chairman welc'omed all present, and spoke of the excellent work of the nursing Sisters, particularly mentioning Misses Margaret Swabey and Nancy King, who had recently joined the R.S.A. General Young also made mention of other young members who had joined forces and stated [ that by the tjme Anzac Day had arrived improvement would be '■effected at the obelisk, while names j of those who had^ i allen in the | last war would be' added to the j tablet on the Cenotaph. The soidiers' plot at the cemetery was !fl,lso receiving attention. j Canon H. E. K. Fry, in proposing {the toast of "The Nurses," made 'mention of the fine work they had accomplished during the war period, stating that it was wonderful the deeds they had accomiplished. He added that it would { have been impossible to have done without their services. Doctor jPowles, replying on behalf of the 1 nurses, also ma'de mention of their magnificent work, stating that he liad had ample opportunity of see4ng the good they had accomplish!ed. Colonel C. G. Powles, proposing the toast of "The R.S.A.," stated that he hoped that it would continue to flourish and that young ; members would take an interest in : it. He spoke in high praise of the jexecutive members of the R.S.A. in Yhe city, and of their good work. 'He hoped that strong support ; would be- forthcoming from all j members. "Responding, Mr. P. H. G. Bennett also spoke of the importance of the R.S.A. and the good work the executive had done, :and was doing. He regretted that many people had almost forgotten that there had been a war, b'ut by the formation of the R.S.A., it could stili be remembered. He desired to see all interested in R.S.A. work. and hoped it would have the Government's backing. "The Fighting Services" w.as ably proposed by the chairman, who told of the days of the Crimean War, and how the men of the 1914-18 war had followed the example set. He highly praised rlie courage and capabilities of the men of the last war. .... Messrs. Heath Sincox (Navy), J. Aldworth (Army), Tom Empson (Air Force) and J. Te Puni (Maori Battalion) replied, after which the Maoris present sang the battalion song, both in Maori and European. Canon Fry drew attention to the fact that Sunday was Remembrance Day, and that it would be observed by all church.es. Mr. Edhouse. then proposed the toast of "The Visitors," welcoming them and stating- that he hoped all would enjoy the evening, and carry away pleasant recollections of the function. Mr. G. Armstrong, of Levin, extended thanks to the Otaki branch of the R.S.A. for its invitation, and congratulated it on the good work it had done and was doing. He congratulated the management on the excellent evening and said that it was with pleasure he had come to Otaki, it being his home town for many years. He spoke oi the importance of R.S.A. work, and the lieed for returned servicemen giving it every support. Mr. H. Lumsden, in proposing tlie toast of "The Entertainers" made mention of the nne talent among the native race. An excellent repasj: was provided by Mrs. Royal, and during the evening natives of Otaki and district contributed songs, which were greatly appreciated. Mr. Townrow and Mr. McLusky also contributed pleasing items. After a very pleasant evening's entertainment, the gathering dspersed after community singing.