SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Evening Star, Issue 22449, 21 September 1936, Page 9

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

damaru association

The annual meeting of the Oamaru South African. Veterans’ Association was held on Saturday night, Mr W. Edwards presiding. The annual report and balance sheet, which showed a satisfactory condition, were adopted. . ' Election of officers President, Mr W Edwards; vice-presidents, Messrs E. Berry and H, Maude; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. W. Woodward; auditor, Mr S. H. Wilson; committee, all financial members. , It was decided to pay a visit to iimaru on Saturday, October 2. The president thanked members for their support during the year, and a vote of thanks passed to the retiring memsome 30 veterans attended the annual reunion. Air W. Edwards presided, and a happy time was spent in indulging in reminiscences. In some instances mendships made on the veldt at the beginning of the century were renewed after a lapse of 35 years. Among th visitors were Messrs Ben Ellis (Dunedin) and H. .Harper (Timaru), and there was also a good contingent from Temuka. The roll call disclosed that veterans from the first to the tenth contingents were present, and there were also representatives of the Prince of Wales Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, Queensland Bushmen, and Coronation Contingent. An amusing feature of the reunion was revealed in the fact that no less than 12 of the veterans were grandfathers. Speaking reminiscently, Mr Ben Ellis referred to the old V olunteer days, making special reference to the Otago Hussars. He pointed out that discipline was good for everyone, and that they would not get anywhere without it. “ It is a deplorable state of affairs when Britain appeals for 17,000 men and gets only 284 volunteers for the Army,” he said. The history of the Army showed that the British Army was no further ahead than in the time of Cromwell as regards the treatment given to veterans —the public soon forget. Referring to the renewing of friendships and the bonds of unity that existed between the Returned Soldiers’ Association and the South African Veterans’ Association, he stated that in Dunedin there was a fine example of team work, the veterans assisting with poppy day, and the returned soldiers helping the veterans in many ways. They were doing their best for disabled soldiers in Dunedin, and he urged them to pull together for their common good. The following toasts were honoured ; “ The King ” ; “ Absent Comrades ” ; “ Returned Soldiers’ Association ” (Mr A. F. Stock—Mr H. C. Jeffery) ; “South African Veterans” (Mr A. C. Piper—Messrs Ben Ellis and H. Harper); “ Kindred Associations ” (Mr S. H. Wilson —Messrs F. _ Chittock, Tirnaru, J. Thorn, Dunedin, A. C. Piper, Soldiers’ Aid Association); “ The Visitors ” (Mr H. Maude —Messrs Shepherd, M. F. Woodward, W. A. M‘Nab, and H. Thompson, Dunedin) ; “ Temuka Veterans ” (Mr A. W. Woodward—Messrs A. Buzan and C. Fraser, Temuka, T. Morton, Dunedin, and A. C. Tiioreau, Timaru) ; “ Musicians and Stewards ” ; and “ The Chairman.” The following items were contributed, adding to the pleasure of the evening:— Messrs A. W. Woodward, W. Couper, and E. Berry (songs); Mr W. Rusbatch (cornet solos); and community singing led by Messrs A. W. Woodward and E. Berry. Mr G. Dorward played the accompaniments. It was announced that arrangements would be made for veterans from Dunedin, Oamaru, Timarn. and Temuka to hold a picnic at Waitaki Hydro on a date to be fixed later.