South African Veterans Hold Annual Reunion

Chronicle (Levin), 4 May 1948, Page 6

South African Veterans Hold Annual Reunion

Over 100 guests were ■ present , at the annual' reunion of the Levin South African War Veterans' Association on Saturday ' night. Although 49 years have1 passed since these • veterans ' of the . Boer War left -New Zealand's shores in defence of the Empire's cause, the friendships of those aays continue undiminished. . •Among the guests were .the Mayor of Levin, Mr.. H. B. Burdekin, the chairman. of the H.oro.whenua County Co.uncil, .Mr. A, M» Coiquhoun, the chairman of the Horowhenua Electric .Power Board, Mr/T. G. Vincent, the president of the Levin R.S.A., Mr. N. M. Thomson, the chairman of the. Horowhenua College Advlsory .Commlttee, Mr. F.. H, Hudson,- • the president of the Wellington South African Veterans' Associatlon, Major W. W.ood, Dr. L. J. Hunter' and Mr. J. J. Maher,- M.P. . ' n The president of the association, Mr. E. Hogg, welcomed the visitors and members, expressing the wish that all present would spend * an enjoyable evening. Then followed the solemn toasts, "The King" and "Fallen Comrades," and during the latter the Last Post was played by Mr. G. R. Lester. The following was the toast list: "Qur Town and Distriet," proposed by v Mr. H. J. Lancaster '-and responded to by Mr. H. B. Burdekin; "Our Visitors," Mr. R., W. Evans — Mr. T. G. Vincent; '"The Returned Services' Association," Mr. M. Smith — Mr. N. M. Thofnson; \'Army, Navy and Air Force,vKMr. A. M. Coiquhoun— Major -W-. Wood.; "South African Veterans/- Mr."' E. R. Winkler — -Mr". E. Hog$"; .''Leviii South African W ar - Veterans, Major Wood— Mr. Hogg; "New>. Zealand Parliament," Mr. CGWGN.ew-' man — Mr. J. J. Maher; "Our Oldest Member," Mr. Hogg — Mr. .J;'Yauhg; "Our Secretary," Mr'; F. Hiidson---Mr. W. W.' Cressy/."Our 'Orqbestra and Artists,"- Mr. -J>.„ Morgan/ Y The ... orchestra, cpnsfeMrig; ; qf Messrs. J. W. Hayfield, ! H. JL. : jfen•kins, G. R. Lester, M. Boycet jp.' Kennerley, L. Spencer and W. A-.'S. 5enny, presentcd various . '■items during the evening, and just b^iore •upper there was a quarter of an hour of old song favourites, ineluding "Dolly Gray," "Just. "R-eak the News to Mother," "The Boers HavGot my Daddy" and "Soldiers of the King." Midway through the programme .,here was a pleasant diversion with •upper and the stand-to and KoII Call. The supper was f^ved by the mess orderlies appointed for the evening..- ■■ ■> ., ... ■ . After refreshments had. ; been partaken of, a presentation vras . made to Mr.; and Mrs. T D. Pq,r- . sons, to Mr. Parsons for his-.tqut- ! tanding service as secretary" of the association for many years aiid to Mrs. Parsons. for her work in decorating the tables at every annual reunion. The president, Mr. E. Hogg, remarked ho.w Mr. i -Parsons hadwfaithf-ully ca-rried' out his work for many years in spite • of the fact that he was a very busy man. .■? On behalf of his wife and himself, Mr. Parsons responded, and jaid that all the work they . had , done had been a labour of love tfor the association.. He thanked members for the tribute. paid to hitn and extended his best wishes for . every success in the coming years. Apologies for absenee we:e ••"eceived from Messrs. J. Nicholson, F. StallKrd, M. Swanson, "Nip" Harvey, H. W. C. Baird, J.- Wilson, F. Ward', W. Little, and H. Hammond and Drs. S. J .' Thompson and S. T. G. Miller.