VETERANS ENTERTAINED.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1918, Page 8

VETERANS ENTERTAINED.

~' o BY JR ISTUIINJiII SOLDIERS. As a further item in the Anzau Day commemoration, the Members of the Returned Soldiers' Association entertained the members of the local branch of the Veterans' Association and a number of friends to tea at the Soldiers' Club- The details in connection with the function were tarried out by the Mayoress and a large committee of ladies. Under their direction, and with Hie assistance of many of the returned soldiers, the old Council Chamber was transformed into a gay and bright dining hall. The room was decorated with flags and greenery, and the tables were attractively laid. There were about (10 veterans and returned soldiers present. Amongst the other guests were His Worship the Mayor, Jlr. 11. J. Okey, M.P., Mr. W. T. Jennings, M P.'s, the ministors of the town, and some members of the New Plymouth Patriotic Committee. Apologies for absence were received from the. Revs. W. A. Sinclair and"" A. C Sievewright, Dr. E. A. Walker, and Mr. J- Crone (a veteran). After the tea a number of toasts 'were honored, The loyal toast was proposed by the Major and responded to in the customary manner. The toast of the "Army and Navy' 1 was proposed by Mr. (.'. Sa dler, Messrs C. Rertraju, and tl. A. Adlaiu responding. The toast of •'The Veterans" was proposed by Mr. W. Ellis (secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association). Mr. (1. Robinson and Captain Jilack replied, both expressing appreciation of the generous manner in which the returned soldiers had entertained them, and indulged i u reminiscences of their own early-day experiences- "The Returned Soldiers" was proposed by Mr. W. J). Webster and responded to by the Ven. Archdeacon Evans. He referred to what had been chine at Rallipoli. He also said that the. boys, when they came back, were scarcely in a normal state of health, and he urged charity towards them if they got into trouble. He referred also to "what was sometimes said of the Gallipoli campaign a s being a colossal mistake. He pointed out that but for that campaign tlio whole Armenian population would have been massacred, the Russians would have probably met with disaster, and the Palestine and Mesopotamia operations might have had a very different aspect. He concluded with 'air expression of thanks to the Mayoress and the committee of ladies for (heir part, in the entertainment. The toast of 'The Parliament of New Zealand" was proposed by Mr. W. A. C-ollis and responded to by Messrs H. J. O'.tey and W. T. Jennings, M.P.'s, both of whom said that the general feeling in Parliament and in the Cabinet was that of willingness to do all that was possible on behalf of tlie returned soldier?. Mr, Jennings expressed regret that. delays occurred in responding to appeals for assistance for some men. particularly those in the 'back and isolated parts of the country. The toast of "The Ladies'' was propsoed by Mr. I!. Juder and responded to by the Mayor. The toast of "The Press" was also honored. All the toasts were en-tliii-uastieally received nnd accorded musical honors. The gathering concluded with cheers for the Mayor and Mayoress. CONCERT. I After the tea an informal concert was ' given in the billiard room and lounge. The principal part of the programme consisted of a number of songs and choruses given by a party of ladies and gentlemen, which had been arranged by -Miss Collis. Songs were given by Mrs. Lnwrey, .Mrs. Hooker, Misses Connell and Edwards, Messrs. S. If. Dunstan, W. Okey. and IT. L. Cooper; Messrs, F. F. Hooker and Dunstan also sung a duet. The accompaniments were played by Mesdames Hooker and Cooper. Supper was provided at the conclusion of the concert.