SPIRIT OF COMRADESHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1920, Page 4

SPIRIT OF COMRADESHIP.

FRONTIERSMEN'S BANQUET. A HAPPY GATHERING. The spirit of comradeship which is the chief characteristic of the Legion of Frontiersmen permeated the gathering of Frontiersman at the Foresters' Hall, New Plymouth, last night on the occasion of the conference banquet. A sumptuous repast had been prepared, and the hundred odd delegates nnd visitors assembled to do it justice shortly after -7 p.m. The banquet had been arranged by the Taranaki Squadron, under Lieut.-Colonel C. H, Wenton, and the congratulations which the visiting delegates poured upon them were thoroughly deserved. The catering was in the hands of Mr. A. Wooller, who carried out his part of the programme with commendable success.

The arrival of Honorary Staff-Captain D'Estere, to whom is due in a large measure the great success attained by the Legion in the North Island, was tho 6i»nal for.an outburst of applause, and on tho call of Colonel Weston, tho Frontiersmen gave him three cheers. At the conclusion of the dinner, a lengthy toast list was commenced, bv the chairman proposing the toast of '•The King." The toast of "The Army and Navy, and the Air Force," was proposed by Lieut. Standish. Captain Hitchlns, Sergt.-Major Hunter and. Captain Gilbert responded. In . proposing the toast of "The Legion;" Captain D'Estere said lie was once asked the question, was the Legion dead? He did not think so, and after the splendid meeting that day he did not think the Legion could die. They were now living in peace, and he could see that the work was progressing- in many districts. Although there was peace now, he warned the Frontiersmen that it was l their duty to be ready to protect the Empire should the occasion ever arise. Colonel Driscoll had told him that New Zealand was the mainstay of the backbone of the Legion, and he would therefore ask that they keep going and build it into a stronger post' tion.

Staff-Captain McGregor responded.

Other toasts honored were: "Other Squadrons," proposed by Lieut. Fraser Jone3, and responded to by other delegates; "Dominion Headquarters," proposed by Lieut. Laing ana responded to by Lieut. Fordyce; "Our Allies," proposed by Lieut. J. A. Miller, and responded to by Lieuts. Bacon and J. Jones; "The Frontier," proposed by Lieut. Goldsworthy, ,and responded to by Frontiersman T. M. Winki; "The Legions' Daughter," proposed by Frontiersman C. Gill; "The Veterans," proposed by Frontiersman W. D. Thomson, and responded to by Frontiersman T. S. Carson; "Absent Comrades," proposed by Captain Brechin; "The Press," proposed 'by Lieut. Wright; and "The Ladies," proposed by Frontiersman McKinnon.

During the evening musical and elocutionary items were contributed by Frontiersman Andrews, Lieut. Golds'worthy, Lieur.-Col Weston, D.5.0., Frontiersman H. Jones, Frontiersman J. Summer, Frontiersman T. M. Winki, Frontiersman Williamson, Frontiersman T. Blair, Lieut. Laing, Cpl. Hutchings, Frontiersman Darlow, Frontiersman Sutherland, Frontiersman Webster, Sergt.-Major Hunter, Lieut. Goldsworthy, and Frontiersman Andrews.