FEDERAL CLUB

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 211, 1 June 1920, Page 6

FEDERAL CLUB

RETURNED SOLDIER MEMBERS - HONOURED. Last evening tho members of tho Federal Club gathered at thoir rooms in Willis Street to welcome home club members who answered the call of Kine and country. There was a large number preoeat, includine the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), Mr. R. Wricht. M.P., nndi Dr. Newman, M.P. Tho club's ■ president (Mr. H: R. Searle) presided. The room was decorated with flags,'.and the tables with nink and black streamers and club trophies. Thirty-nine mombers of tho club answered tho call to arms, and of those eight were either killed in action or died of wounds. ' "' . The president mentioned that it was a long time since tho club had held a smoke concert, as during the war it was decided not to hold audi aatherings. After the loyal toast had been honoured the president proposed the toast of "Our Returned Boys.' 1 The New Zealand troops, he said, had won the admiration of warworn veterans by their splendid Qualities. All the members who had not been ablo to join up were pleased to welcome some of the boys who had jhown thejt the New Zcalander was as indomitable :n battle as ho was doughty in sport. The toast was honoured with great enthusiasm. , Dr. Isaacs brieil.7 responded. Dr. A. IV. Izard said, he was very ch'' to return after a lapse of so many years to find the club in. such a prosperous condition. He had been the president for many years, and lie was glad to see the club still going. The 1 men had none away because they felt it was their duty, ami when they were at the front they only wanted to get the thing over and to return'homo. He referred to tho fine sport of comradeship which prevailed amongst Ihe soldiers, and he paid his' tribute la those who had fallen, and asked tho assembly to stand for a few moments as a tribute to those men who had "gone West."

Mr. J. P. Luke, in unveiling the roll of honour board, a handsome brass tablet, bearin? the names of thoea who had enlisted, said that those who had gone away had left a duty for those who liau stayed behind to perforin. Ho was Hot talking of the mercenary side. Had they that blessed peace in the United Kinedom for which theßC men had fought? He expressed the hope that tho dissatisfied portions of tto Empire would pull together for the good of the British Empire. Three cheers were heartily given- for those whose names were on the tablet

Other toasts honoured were "The New Zealand Parliament," proposed by Mr. Ji 0, Browne, and responded t? by Mr. R. A, Wright, M.P.. and Dr. Newman, M.P.; "Kindred, Clubs," proposed by Mr. W. L Morgan, replied to by Messrs. M. Oarr and J Zacharlah; "The vkltora," nroposed by Mr. J. Doyle: and "The Press," proposed by Mr. W. H. Fordham. During the evening musical items were contributed by tb.; orchestra and memberß.