SEVENTH N.Z.M.R.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1993, 25 February 1914, Page 9

SEVENTH N.Z.M.R.

i (South' Africa.) j. •.' ;• —-— <h ANNTJ.iL REUNION. The annual reunion of the Sevonth :New Zealand Contingent (South Africa), 'which went to tho Boer War, was held ■in Godber's Rooms, Oubi' Street, last ! night. Colonel Porter, C.8., presided, and just over forty contingenters were present. The gathering was very representative, members being present from Auckland, Napier, Ohristc'hurch; Invercargill, and other towns. '. Proposing the toast of "The Army and Navy," the chairman said that during the Boer War England was favoured by tho fact that lier enemy had no navy to hamper tho transport of troops. It behoved every soldier to look to the ■Navy, for the. two branches were invtcrwoypn.in their traditions. ..Referring ■ito tile presence of Colonel Heard, 'Col,'oncl Porter complimented him and the other Imperial officers on tho manner in .*wliich tho; Territorial.- Jprceß -jadJbWn fb'rotgW'tb ciency! The toast was drunk coupled •with the name of ColoneJHenrd. ' Replying, Colonel Heard referred in pleasing, terns to the Navy, which was, : ho said, "tho ; cement which welded, together tho various component parts of. this Empire of ours.". '(Applause.) Speaking;'of the Territorial forces, in New Zealand, Colonel Heard said it was most interesting" for Imperial officers to control such a scheme. They appreciated '.the improvement in tho Territorials since',the .start. . Thi-i was tho more noteworthy because, with the exception of a few Volunteers, all tho members were young and inexperienced men when the Bqheme was started. The Cadets had also progressed in a wonderful way. While those present were beyond the. Territorial age, they could do good work by joining the Reserve, and .encouraging • the young, men to take their training seriously. Tho toast of "Absent Comrades" was drunk in silence. During the evening Colonel Porter, on bohalf of .the,members.present, made a presentation of-a set of pipes to Mr. Arthur Esson, the secretary of the association,''who lias done a great deal to foster the reunions. In replying, Mr. Esson said that during the past few years he had been able to getin touch with 250 members of the contingent in all parts'of the world.