SCOTTISH REGIMENT

Evening Star, Issue 23381, 26 September 1939, Page 11

SCOTTISH REGIMENT

DUNEDIN UNIT ENTERTAINED Officers and men of the Otago unit of the New Zealand Scottish Regiment were entertained last night at a social evening by the Council of Scottish Societies as an expression of its appreciation of the excellent response made by the young men of Dunedin in enrolling in the unit. There was an attendance of over 100 men, including the officer commanding the company (Captain R. D. Paterson) and Lieutenant R. L. Bond. The president ot the Council of Dunedin Scottish Societies (Mr P. Findlay) occupied the chair. In hie remarks the Chairman said he had great pleasure in extending a welcome to Captain Paterson and the officers and members of the Dunedin Company. When they were invited to enrol it was for homo defence within the Dominion, but he thought he could confidently express the opinion that, should the Motherland, the British Empire, that stood for true democracy, honour, justice, and freedom, be endangered, she would find them ready for any emergency when and where that service and duty could best be filled. He hoped that, whatever might be their respective spheres in the present situation, their future ambition would be when more normal conditions prevail that the company and regiment was still maintained and linked together and dressed in the kilt. The toast of “ The Scottish Regiment ” was proposed by Mr J. Caldwell, who traced the history of the regiment since tho move for its establishment had first been made. It was pleasing, he said, for the council to see that its efforts as sponsors of the Dunedin company had met with success. The citizens of Dunedin had responded well to the appeal for help, and he hoped that they would eventually be proud of the regiment. Captain Paterson thanked the council for the interest it had taken in the regiment, and hoped that the gathering that night would be the forerunner of many more. As he was leaving tor camp, Captain Paterson also took the opportunity of saying farewell to the company, and trusted that it would meet with success in its future activities.

The toast of “ The Territorial Association ” was proposed by Mr A. M‘Millan, who said that it was an important body, and was doing excellent work, not only in getting men to ioin the' Territorials, but also in looking after them once they had joined up. The toast was replied to by Mr J. S. Douglas, who said that the association had a membership of over I,UOO. and they were wholeheartedly behind the proposal to equip a Scottish regiment. •

The toast of “ The Council of the Scottish Societies ” was proposed by Lieutenant R L. Bond, and replied to by Mr Thomas Ritchie, who said that it had been a big task to raise the monev to equip the Dunedin unit, hut it had been worth doing. He had iust returned from England, and he know that the people of Scotland were very enthusiastic about the formation of the regiment. Other toasts honoured were: “ The Staff Sergeant-major,” proposed by Lieutenant Bond and replied to by Sergeant-major Rudd: “The Artists.” proposed by Mr N. Stewart, and replied to by Mr A. Jones. During the evening Hems were given bv Messrs J. Swan. A. Jones, J. Patterson, A. Macdonald (songs L K. Cameron. I. Fraser, and S. Waldie upe selections), and J. Jeffrey (accordion solos). The accompanist was Mr S Bringhams.