A SEASIDE WEEK-END?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1554, 23 May 1916, Page 3

A SEASIDE WEEK-END?

A very enjoyable social function took place at Mr E. B. llolben's seaside residence, “Whakarua," on Saturday eveniftg, when the oflk-ers of the military headquarters staff at Palmerston X. and friends gave a return dinner to Messrs Ilolben and Kirk, and the occasion was taken to bid farewell to Colonel Tale, who has been transferred on promotion to Wellington. The party arrived by motor cars, and prior to the dinner spent an enjoyable time with (he drag' mbs. Colonel Pringle presided at the festive board, and after full justice had been done to the good I lungs provided by the caterers, Messrs Langley Bros., tin 1 following toast list was gone through : “The King,” “Oar Guests, Messrs Ilolben and Kirk," proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Mr Ilolben ; “Colonel 'fate," propos 1 by Major Bosworlh in a neat s[ . 1 which it was made apparent that Colonel Tale was held in the highest esteem by his subordinate officers at headquarters. In reply, Colonel Tate, after referring in complimentary terms to his subordinates, ’sketched the growth and development of Ihe territorial movement, lie deprecated any attempt at a military caste, lie said this, in any case, would not be tolerated in a democratic country. Military preparedness, however , was absolutely essential throughout the Empire. The territorial system had enabled (he Government to render assistance without unnecessary delay to the Motherland through the machinery of the territorial system. The present war was the most gigantic in Ihe world's history, but after this war another war would be fought of even greater proportions with nations who were yet asleep. It would be* a cast 1 of the 1 survival of the lit test. If we do not keep prepared against (hat day we must go down. Military training must be continued, and every boy taught to take his place in (he defence of his home and Empire.' Major Jickell, in an eloquent and forceful speech, proposed the toast of the “Navy and Army,” responded to by Colonel Pringle and Mr E. Lawton.

Colonel Tate proposed the toast: of “Our Boys at the Front," which was drank in silence as a tribute to the heroic dead. Captain Furby, who was badly maimed in tin* Gallipoli campaign with the main body, responded. He ventured the opinion that the Western campaign would be a more difficult proposition to the New Zealanders than lighting the Turks in Gallipoli. Referring to the hitler, he paid a line tribute to the British regulars who took part in that memorable campaign, and said that the Anzacs gave the palm every time to the gallant regulars —the finest soldiers on earth.

Other (oasts were honoured. The following coni ribut cd items ; Messrs .). Belt, Ilolben, Bierard, Ilornblow, Fuller, and some clever conjuring feats bv Mr Cookson.