VETERANS’ RE-UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1921, Page 6

VETERANS’ RE-UNION.

COMMEMORATION OF WAIREKA. THE 61st ANNIVERSARY. Yesterday- on th 6: anniversary day of the province,' Taranaki veterans held a re-unioif to commemorate the Gist anniversary of the battle of Waireka, which was fought in March, 1860. A party of veterans and their wives-, totalling about seventy, were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. C. 11. Burgess, of ?<Hapu-o-unui,” whence they were motored in a )iiumbers of cars which, were kindly placed at the. disposal of a- committee of the younger business men of the town, who arranged the function. Amidst tlie beautiful surroundings of “Hapurunui,” and favored by ideal weather conditions—yesterday being one of Taranaki’s finest autumn days—the outing proved very enjoyable for the party, who were hospitably received by their hosts. There were a good many veterans present, many still hale and hearty after seventy/odd years, and some perhaps a little feeble, as they reach well on in the' eighties. Reminiscences of early days were freely exchanged by the veterans, with here and there a remark on the gradual depletion of their ranks. Of those actually engaged at Waireka there are only now twenty s eight survivors living, and ten of these were at yesterday’s ’gathering. They

were Messrs. J. Andrews (79), T. Allen (83), J. Black (78), J. Corney (81), R. Hart (89), W. King (88), J. S. McKellay («2), W1 Paynter (81), T. Veale (80), W. D. Webster (SO). the afternoon a photographic group of the Waireka men was- taken and also of the whole of the veterans. They included men who had served Jn India prior to coming to New Zealand. Prior to the commencement of the return journey Mr. Tl. A. Adlam, on behalf of the veterans, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Burgess for the afternoon’s entertainment. He remarked on Mr. and Mrs. Burgess’ work during the great war, and said there was no doubt they had done a lot for the soldiers- in Taranaki. It had been a grand , outing, and the veterans were also indebted to the citizens ,svho provided cars and for the mannery in had treated the veterans. Mr. and Mrs. Burgess had stated that they would endeavor to make the function an annual one, and ffo doubt all veterans would be pleased to make the trip at some future occasion. Cheers were given |pr Mr. and Mrs-. Burgess and for the citizens’ committee. and the return to town was commenced shortly after four o’clock. I'he citizens-’ committee desire to express their gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Burgess for their splendid hospitality, also to the lady helpers and others who contributed to the success of the function, which will be remembered with pleasure for many a long day by all those who attended.