WAIAPU DIGGERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20027, 28 August 1939, Page 14

WAIAPU DIGGERS

REUNION IN RUATORIA PARK SCHEME PRAISED GISBOENE COMPLIMENTED CHANGE OF SECRETARIES Keen, interest in the proposal to establish a park of remembrance on the foreshore at Kaiti, which the executive of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers' Association secured recently for a public domain, was expressed at an annual reunion of ex-service-men of the Waiapu Valley held in Ruatoria on Saturday evening. Most of those present were members of the Ruatoria R.S.A., and the district headquarters was ottered warm compliments upon the enterprise it had shown. The gathering was presided over by Mr. J. H. Taplin, president of the Ruatoria /branch, and there were present a number of delegates fronr Gisborne, including Colonel R. F. Gambrill and Messrs. W. Oakden and A. H. Miller, past and present secretaries of the district association.

Apologies for inability to be present were received from Lieut.-Com-mander Clift McCulloch, Mr. O. T. Williams, and the executive officers of the Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay sub-associations. Lasting and Living Memorial

Referring to the Kaiti Hill park project, Mr. Taplin stated that the proposal, to establish a public domain in which lasting and living memorials to former comrades could be dedicated was greatly appreciated by Diggers resident on the Coast and in the country areas, as well as by those living in Gisborne. It meant a great deal, he said, to be able to regard one of the district’s public assets as the particular work of the association. The district executive had registered a direct hit again, he considered, and posterity would unfailingly link the new part with the existence of their association.

Replying to the toast of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers' Association, Colonel Gambrill mentioned the pleasure it gave executive members to visit the sub-association centres, and the enjoyment many of them had had from past reunions in Ruatoria. In regard to the park scheme, he pointed out that in 1937, when me national organisation had reached its majority, the Dominion headquarters had arranged for an acknowledgement of past assistance and sympathy to be conveyed to the principal local bodies in each district. The Gisborne executive had felt that it should do something on its own initiative, in addition to carrying out the headquarters arrangement, and the project, was the outcome tof that wish. Social Committee’s Funds

Its ability to complete the task of acquiring the lands was owed by the district executive to its social committee, a group of extremely active and energetic Diggers who had raised the necessary funds by special efforts. The social committee’s work had been essential to the success of the scheme. Colonel Gambrill outlined the idea of a “park of remembrance,” and stated that permission would be sought to establish in the new domain memorials of suitable types, including mementoes of the Diggers' appreciation of such men as the late Messrs. K. S. Williams, George Darton, Frank Gaddum, and Howard Kenway. The speaker also mentioned the change in the association’s secretarial post, and paid a tribute to the work of Mr. W. Oakden, who recently relinquished the post, and gave a warm welcome to the new appointee, Mr. A. H. Miller, Whose long and close connection with the work of the association he outlined. The past and present secretaries were also mentioned by Mr. I. S. C. Dalgairns, who proposed the health of Messrs. Oakden and Miller. He mentioned that Mr. Oakden had been the first secretary of the Ruatoria sub-association, and in that post had given a foretaste of the splendid service he had rendered later as secretary in Gisborne. He offered all good wishes to Mr. Oakden in his new appointment, and offered to the new R.S.A. secretary all the assistance and support Ruatoria had given to his predecessor. 10 Years as R.S.A. Secretary Replying, Mr. Oakden said that he had enjoyed his work for the association because he had felt all through his 10 years in the post that the Diggers appreciated the difficulties of that work, and made no unreasonable demands upon him. The wonderful spirit of sympathy and support on the part of the Diggers had been extended to him also by the district executive. He was happy in the knowledge that he was handing over the soldiers’ affairs to a secretary thoroughly equipped for the job, and imbued iwith the ideal which he himself 'had tried to live up to through the past 10 years. Mr. Miller also responded, thanking the gathering for its assurance of support, and expressing the hope that after settling down in the post he would measure up to the high standard set by Mr. Oakden. Among the other toasts honoured were those of “Our Guests,” proposed by Mr. T. Snelling and responded to by Messrs. McKinnon and Winter; "The Nursing Services,” proposed by Mr. M. Sullivan, “The Host and Hostess," proposed by Mr. S. McCosh, and “Mess Orderlies, ’ proposed by Mr. Barrett. In reference to the toast of the host and hostess, Mr. McCosh paid a glowing tribute to the interest taken in the annua! function by Mr. and Mrs. P. G. Buiton. The reunion wag enlivened by community singing, with Mr. Ted LoCv ‘ vvood at the oiano, and anecdotes > Messrs. P, A. Gordon, I. S. L. Dalgairns. A. J. H. Kirkham, W. Saxby, T. Snelling, J. 11. Taplin, and A. H. Miller.