Returned Servicemen Guests At Anzac Dinner

Chronicle (Levin), 27 April 1948, Page 3

Returned Servicemen Guests At Anzac Dinner

Once again pn Anzac Day returned service 'personnel were the g.uests of the- Shannon Women's institute at the anriual Anzac amner. The attendance was very good although not quitp as large as cn fornier- occasions. The unsettled weather conditions probably accounted for this, and also the fact that many of the district's returned men have left . to find work in oth,er towns. The well-organised fuhction went pff without a hitch or a hold-up, and the women of sthe institute must be congratulated on their very fine gesture and also their. organising ability. Following the service at" the theatre, all returned men made their . way to the Druids' Hall, where the ladies of the institute had.spent the mornin'g making things ready. Upon entering the doors the sight of the three long and well-filled tables was indeed a pleasant one, and it was^not long before everyone was seated. In the 'absenee -of a minister, Grace was said by the toastmaster, and the ladies were kept very busy attending to the needs of the "diggers" and "kiwis." The toast of "The King" was honoured and the toastmaster, Mr. J. T. Bovis, read the various messages of goodwill. . Apologies for absenee were received from Rev: J. S. Wheeler, Mr. S. W: Barber and Rev. J. Martin. As a mark of respect, all present stood in silence for • .their fallen comrades.

Among the guests were members of the Horowhenua Highland Band and as they were to return to Levin early in the afternoon, the toast to the band was proposed by Mr. V. J. Bateman. Drum-major J. Macfarlane replied. Other toasts honoured in traditional manner were: "The Women's Institute,"- proposed by Mr. B. Clayton, president of the R.S.A., and replied to hv Mrs. • W. Easton, president of the institute; "The Shannon R.S.A.," the Mayor (Mr. D. A. Fitzgerald) —Mr. F. O. , Burtt, vice-president of the R.S.A. ; "The Old Diggers," Mr. R. S. Downes— Mr. . S. H. Roberts; "Absent Comrades," Mr. D. Aitchison; "The Visitors," Mr. R. Hook — Mr. L. Wilton, vice-presi-dent of Tokomaru R.S.A.; "Mrs. J. A. Elston," Mr. J. Ritchie— Mrs.1 Easton. ■ During the afternoon Mr, F. O. Burtt entertained with twc songs very appropriate to the occasion of Anzac Day and Mr. J. Sinclair entertained with a recitation. !Mr. Burtt also led the community singing. Mr. Tom East, of Foxton, was at the piano. i The opportunity was ■ taken by Mr. Burtt to outline the food for Britain work which the R.S.A. is doing and a collection was laler taken to aid this fund. The results were very encouraging.