BOER WAR VETERANS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 23, 22 October 1919, Page 3

BOER WAR VETERANS

REUNION OF FIRST CONTINGENT. The nineteenth annual reunion and dinner of the First New Zealand Mounted Rides who served in the South Afri<mn AVar between 1899-1901 passed off (Successfully in Dtistin's Rooms, Cuba Street, last evening. Major-General Sir Alfred Robin was in the chair, and amongst those present were: Colonel J. Hughes, Colonel AA'hyte, Colonel Batchelor, Major AVilkie, and Dr. Bowie. There was' a good attendance of members. In the course of the annual report regret was expressed' that since the last reunion the following members had died: —Messrs. T. Casey, AV. C. Morrison, J. Thorpo, and R-. S. Young. Owing to tho onidemic the issue of the "Bulletin" had been delayed, but it would be published' as soon -after tho meeting as possible. During tho year many "Firsts" had been repatriated from the various fronts, and had been cordially welcomes' by their comrades. During his recent visit Admiral Lord Jellicoe had under his own hand done tho association the honour to become a joint patron with Field-Marshal A'iscount French. Tho financial statement disclosed a bank credit balance of ,£lO 7s. '.nl., ano in addition there was a sum of ,£SO invested in short-term War bonds. Tho report and - balance-sheet were adooted after a short discussion, in tho course of which pleasure was expressed ai tho continued interest of members in the.now historic contingent. During tho evening various toasts were honoured, including the following: "Army and Navy," proposed by Mr. Tuck and responded to by Major AVilkie; "Absent Comrades," proposed by Dr. Bowio and responded to by Colonel Hughes; "The Ladies," proposed by Colonel AVliyte, and responded to by Colonel Batchelor and Jlr. C'atherall.

The ioil of tho honoured dead was rend amid an impressive silence by Captain Rockstrow. Tho evening was largely of an informal nature, and song and story were indulged in till a late hour, in tho course of which it was mentioned that fifty meml)crs of the Contingent had served in tho European war.