THE ANZAC CLUB IN FEATHERSTON

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2904, 17 October 1916, Page 6

THE ANZAC CLUB IN FEATHERSTON

OFFICIAL OPENING

IMPOSING PARADE AND SPEECHES By Telegraph.—(Special Correspondent.) Featherston, October 16. The new and handsome Aiimc Club at Featherston was opened by tho Minister of Defence (Colonel J. Allen) yesterday afternoon, in tho presence of a vast assemblage of troops and civilians. Tho troops, who numbered something .fliko 4000, and comprised artillery, mounted rifles, and infants;', left the Featherston Camp at half-past one o'clock; headed by the Camp Band, and presented a most inspiring.sight. The, parado was under the command of Licutenant-Colonol N. C. Adams, N.Z.F.A., while with him wore Captain Bradley, in'charge of the artillery, Major Cardale (Mounted Rifles), and Major Barton (Infantry). On arrival at Clifford Square the troops were' massed in front of a decorated platform, and appropriate addresses were delivered.' With Colonel Allen were Colonel C. M. Gibbon, C. G. S. Lieuten-ant-Colonel N. P.' Adams, N.Z.I'.A., 'Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes, QjM.G., D.5.0., Colonel MacDbnald, 1.G.5., ■Major Newcomb (Camp Adjutant), Cap--1 tain Silcock (Assistant Adjutant), Mr. IJ. T. M. Hornsby, M.P., .Mr. G. R. Sykcs, M.P., Mr. W. E. Bidwill' (president of"the Anzoc Club), and a number of prominent settlers' Mr W E: Bidwill. the president ot the club,, introduced the Minister of Defence, and in doing so said that after a few months' experience of the soldiers in their midst, the settlers were glad to be able to say that the conduct of the men had been oxcellent. These men that they now had in tho local camps wero undoubtedly the pick of our manhood, and they were glad to see the soldiers in their homos at any time. In erecting flio Anzac Club in Featherston, the' settlers felt that they were doing but a small thing for tho menJn camp,, but it served to show that the-people who remained at homo were grateful to these men. The Spirit of Their Fathers. ' In declaring the club open, the Hon. Jas. Allen told the assembled men that:the spirit in rallying to the colours was tho same spirit that had actuated the early settlers, the -fathers anil grandfathers of-the men prcsentthe' spirit to' do, think, and carry things' out. - - The-early settlers, in 6oriiing to New Zealand, - had done so with tho idea of making more of their lives, and in doing so had made New Zealand what it is, a land to be proud of,- and ono in which they of the later generation were happy to live. It was a grahu thing to see tho young men of to-day prepared- to shed the last drop of their blood to protect that land. In referring to the club the speaker said that-the building had been erected by the early settlers'of the district, and their sons, the sum of £9000 having been subscribed by about sixty of them. He suggested that these donors should have their photographs, taken and handed to the committee for the club rooms, as he felt such a collection would prove an inspiration to the hoys. Ho also expressed a wish' that tho boys would show their appreciation by taking advantage of the club facilities, and would find the institution a source of healthy recreation. The object of the club was to provide an attractive placo for the men to spend their leisure moments and draw 1 them away from those other attractions where they were sometimes apt to find moro evil than good. After thankmgMr. Bidwill, the committee, and tho settlers of the Wairarapa for their valuable work on bohalf of the soldiers. Colonel Allen concluded by saying that tho men would' fight even hotter when they knew that those at home wore taking an interest Til their movements. He urged, the men to make tho-utmost use of the chih. He then declared tho institution open, amid applause. _ Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby, M.P., and Colonel Adams also spoke. Soldiers Entertained. Tho.crowd then adjourned to tho club premises, whore,the settlers'Cntcrtainod the public at afternoon tea. In the evening the troops were tho guests of tho Club Committee, when a concert organised by Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., was given by a party of> well-known Wellington amateurs, assisted bv Misses Peggy Ross and Obernon,and Mr. Athol Tier, all of Fuller's vaudeville circuit. The concert was' followed by a dance, during which the soldiers were entertained at supper.