RE-UNIDN DINNER

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 174, 26 April 1939, Page 2

RE-UNIDN DINNER

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ FUNCTIOM LARGE ATTENDANCE The- annual re-union dinner provkled by the ladies oh the district for the Returned Soldiers was again a great success. A number of visitors was# present, including Wliakatane representatives. As usual several South 'African veterans attended' and by special request, members, of the local Territorials attended. The usual spirit of good comradeship prevailed and old acquaintance , were renewed. The ladies . of the district are to he congratulated oil providing -such a splendid dinner, and during the evening- it was stated!that it- was ' pleasing to> note that seme of the younger women of the district were coming forward, to assist. In the absence of Mr. J. B. Gow. the chair was taken In/yMr. E. Baigent. president of the Qpotiki R.S.A. , During the evening selections were given by McDougall’s Hot Scots Band and this helped to enliven the proceedings. After the dinner the usual toast list was honoured, this being as follows ; . “The King”, proposed by Mr. E. J. Baigent, and heartily responded to-. Apologies were received from Sisters Pritchard, Cameron and E. McLeod, Colonel Frazerhurt-. Mr, Hultand a- number of others. Mr. J. IX Clark proposed the toast of “Fallen Comrades” and this was responded to in silence with lights out. After a recitation by Mr. Brown (Native Department), the president proposed the toast of Mr. J. B. Gow, who had occupied the position of chairman at the re-union dinner for close on 20 years with .-hardly-, a break. Mr. Baigent said Mr. Gow was now unable to preside but would lie able to take liis place at the- annual service. The usual procedure was not adopted in the Roll Call, and, assisted by Mr. Bunk all, an individual Roll C«IL was given, each ex-soldier giving his name and what lie served with. This was followed by a song (encored) byMr. Jack Young. “Nursing Sisters” was proposed by Mr. C. D’. Brown and!? responded to by Air. E. A. Bunlqall. Air. A. G. Stevenson contributed a song. Air. T. H. Pearson proposed “The Territorials”, responded to byLieut. J. Alaekay. Air. Brown again favoured with a recitation and then several of the Ai'aori returned soldiers contributed a spirited liaka. Air. S. Maxwell then proposed the toast- of “The Patriotic Society”, coupled with the names of members of the committee, and respondedl to by Air. G. S. Aloodv. One of the Alaori Pioneer Soldiers, Air. Poihipi, contributed a mout-horgan solo. An item. by the orchestra was followed by the toast of “The Ladies” proposed by Air. Carter and responded to by Mr. A...GStevenson. . A story and recitation by “Tiny” Gariick (Taneatua) was ,folio wedl by a story fjy Dr. H. J. Alai 1 - “The R-:S.A.”, proposed by Rev. AF. Attwood. was responded to by Air. J. Alansell. who in the course of his remarks, said the Opotiki R.S.A. membership was now a record and that the sale of poppies this year had also- reached a record. Air. AY. .Frew proposed “The Ahsitors”. Responded, to by Alajor Alacdonald (president of the •Wliakatane R.S.A.) and ALr.. Holmberg (AA 7 haka-tane). The latter, who was *a member of the French Foreign Legion, gave a most interesting account of his association with the Foreign Legion. The concluding toasts were: “The Army and Navy”. proposed by Air. A. S. de Montalk and responded to by Capt. C. DBrown; “The" Chairman”, proposed by Air. H. G. Roches and replied to by Air. E. J. Baigent; “The- Press”,, proposed by Air. T. Steele and responded to by Air. F. H. Roe. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the function.