"THE DINKS"

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 25, 25 October 1920, Page 5

"THE DINKS"

REUNION OF OFFICERS: The second reunion of the officers of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade (Lord Liverpool's Own), popularly known as 'The Dinks," was held on Saturday night at Dustin's. Colonel C. W. Melvill (Officer Commanding the Wellington Military District) presided, and there was a gathering of about one hundred officers of the old brigade. Major-Gen-eral Sir Edward Chaytor (G.0.C., New Zealand Forces) was one of the guests. During the dinner many little incidents that happened at the front were recounted, and there was a great deal of humour in the 6tories told round the table. Colonel Melvill stated that apologies for absence had been received from Ma-jor-General Sir Andrew Russell, Briga-dier-Generals Hart and Young, Colonel R. C. Allen, and others. Colonel Melvill, in proposing the toast "Our Guests," said this was the second dinner of the officers of the brignde, and he was'glad to see so many present. At the same time, he was disappointed that more officers had not turned up. Many of the officers present had come a considerable distance. He thought they should keep the association going. They should keep together and be ready to ■ take their part in whatever might befall the country in the One way of keeping the association alive was to meet together at least once a year. Colonel' Melvill then referred to the operations of the brigade in Egypt and in France. He spoke of the commanded of the four battalions, and pointed out that the brigade had an excellent record, a record that every man should be proud of. He regretted that there was no unit in the Territorial Forces to represent the 'Rifle Brigade, but he still hoped such a unit would be established. General Chaytor, in responding, said he had been appointed to command tho brigade, and went to Egypt for that purpose, but events turned out otherwise, and while he was very proud of his command in Palestine, he confessed he would like to have gone to France with the brigade, because there was more fighting in France than they had in Palestine. He thought'it was a most excellent thirig to keep tho association goinij and to meet year by year. The association should have a' very good effect, not only on the officers of the brigade, but also on the country itself. There was always, ft feeling after a war that having done with it, there would never be another. About twelve months ago, when he was leaving England, there were twenty-five wars in progress, and that was a year after the armistice, nnd some'of thosu wars were big. They all knej?- what ■waT was, nnd the only way to keep It away from our shores was in being prepared. It would take money and trouble, but it would bo cheap in the long run. He asked those present to take an interest in the Territorial Forces nnd to help and encourage tho young Territorials. Colonel Austin proposed "Kindred Units," to -which Lieutenant Rutherford, who served with the Navy, responded. "Absent Comrades'' was next proposed by Colonel Puttick, who spoke of \U excellent services of tho late General Fulton, the first brigadier who made the brigade what it was. The only other toast honoured was "The Ladies." , ,','.. , Songs and recitations helped to make the evening merry.