BIG GATHERING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3275, 14 June 1943, Page 4

BIG GATHERING

OLD TIMES RECALLED REUNION OF SERVICEMEN PAEROA-HAURAKI R.S.A. The old saying soldiers never die—they only "fade away, seems to be incorrect judging by the ever increasing attendance at the annual reunions of the Paeroa-Hauraki branch of the Returned Services Association. This year’s reunion last •Saturday evening almost packed the Civic Hall to capacity for, in addition to members of the local branch from as far away as Waitakaruru and Kaihere, there were visitors frJXi the sister branches of Matamata, Te Aroha, Waihi, Katikati and Rotorua. Meeting again for the first time since the previous reunion, many an old soldier renewed a friendship first, formed in the trenches of France, the sands of Egypt, the hospitals of England or the dark holds of troopships. Incidents almost forgotten were I’ecalled and recounted so that the formal programme, the entertainment and the refreshments were, in many instances of passing interest only, the great value of the function being that it was really a reunion. In such an atmosphere speakers had a range of topics fai' outside those of formal toasts and they knew that a verbatum report would not be published. Membership of 280 The president of the branch, Mr E. Edwards, was in the chair and associated with him on the dias were Lieut.-Colonel T. Dawe and Mr G. G. Griffiths, of Matamata, district viw- • president and member of the executive of the R.S.A. Proposing a toast to the N.Z.R.S.A., Mr J". M. Craig, secretary of the Pae-roa-Hauraki branch, mentioned that its membership was now 280, including 2'2 of the N.Z.E.F. - The toast was responded to at length by Mr G. G. ’Griffiths, district vice-president, who dealt with the recent annual conference which was attended by 156 delegates, including 15 men who had served with the. Second N.Z.E.F. They represented •95 ' branches and dealt with 270 1 remits, sitting for three days till nearly midnight oh two days. The membership of the association was now 42,167, including 3644 from the Second N.Z.E.F, Mr Griffiths gave many details of the work of the association and the rehabilitation of the men who had returned from the present con- ■ flict. ' Second N.Z.E.F. Experiences T

’■ Responding to Mr C. N. O’Neill’s toast to the Serving Forces and the Second N.Z.E.F., Captain J. Owen and L./Cpl. J. Neil told of their experiences,. clearly indicating that the members of the Second N.Z.E.F. were well upholding the traditions of the First N.Z.E.F. L./Cpl. Neil said that the men overseas read with interest and were deeply appreciative of the work of the R.S.A. and of the people of New: Zealand who were responsible for. sending the gift parcels. , In his experience everyone received parcels and it was thrilling to see a parcel from Paeroa. . .

Other toasts honoured were: “Winston Churchill,” Lieut.-Colonel T- R. Dawe;' “The Home Guard,” Mr W. Pirie and Colonel J. H. Bartlett; and “The South African .Veterans,” M. J. Thomas and Mr T. Fulton. *Kie usual toasts to the nursing sisters and to the visitors could not be honoured owing to the lateness of the hoiir.

During the evening vocal and instrumental items were contributed by Messrs A. Whisker, P. Caisley, J. Todd, W. Forrest, J. Davies and J. Maunder, while overtures were played by an orchestra comprising Messrs J. H. Bartlett (violin), W. Forrest (piano) P. H. Leigh (piccolo), T. Broadley (violin cello) and E. Beilby (cornet).