AMONG THE VETERANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 938, 3 April 1930, Page 8

AMONG THE VETERANS

VICE-REGAL VISIT TO INSTITUTIONS EX-SOLDIERS MET Yesterday afternoon their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Bledisloe, continued their round of visits in Auckland, calling at institutions where the sic*; and the veterans of wars are cared for. Sir George Fowlds, vice-chairman of the Auckland joint committee of the British Bed Cross and the Order of St. John, Dr. R. Tracy Inglis, assistantdirector of medical services, and Miss Bird, the matron, welcomed the Gov-ernor-General and Lady Bledisloe to the Evelyn Firth Home, where they shook hands with 20 ex-soldiers. A group of school children gathered at the gates of the Veterans’ Home, Mount Albert, welcomed the vice-regal party, but in the institution Major J. A. Wallingford, commandant in charge, gave the official welcome. Mr. J. Turner, vice-chairman of the Auckland Patriotic Committee, was also in attendance. Twenty-three of the veterans were waiting for their Excellencies on the nerth verandah, and each was introduced by Major Wallingford. Lord and Lady Bledisloe were intensely interested in the record of these old soldiers and their records. They also visited one veteran of 90 years who is bedridden. Private Innes, who had fought in every war since the Maori War and displayed a breast covered with medals, Private Scully, who had seen campaigns in India, South Africa and France, and Sergeant Cassidy, D.C.M., were three of the men with famous records of service. Last evening their Excellencies returned to Wellington by the Limited. They were met at the station by the Mayor, Mr. George Baildon, and the Mayoress, Mrs. Campbell, before embarking.