HAWERA’S EX-SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1921, Page 3

HAWERA’S EX-SOLDIERS.

NEW CLUB BUILDING. THE OPENING CEREMONY. A-fter four and a half years in temporary premises the Hawera Returned Soldiers’ Club moved yesterday into a permanent home. The new club building is a handsome structure in roughcast, with a very striking frontage —a deep circular-fronted balcony across the top of which are the words, “Returned Soldiers’ Club.” When the grounds in front of the building are properly laid out the spot will be a very pretty one. The club is situated in Princess Street, and, despite the very unfavoranie weather conditions, a good crowd attended there yesterday to see the Mayor of Hawera (Mr. E. Dixon, M.P.) declare the new building open. The dead comrades of those who fought in the great war for freedom were not forgotten, and at the request or Mr. W. V. Patterson, president of the Hawera branch of the R.S.A., those present stood for a moment in silence in tribute to the fallen, to whose memory a laurel wreath had also been placed on the front of the building. The singing of the National Anthem followed.

Then Mr. Patterson made a short speech. Hu first read apologies for absence from General Sir Andrew Russell, Mr. O. Hawken, M.P., and Mr. T. McPhillips. General Russell, he said, had agreed to open the chib, but found at the last moment that he could not get away. However, the Mayor had been able to act in his stead. He would like to thank, on behalf of the club, those who had rendered assistance. First there was the Mayor, Mr. Dixon. What he had done in the interests of returned soldiers had not been done by anyone else in New Zealand. During the war every soldier who went away from Hawera was given a farewell and was met on his return by the Mayor. This was a great credit to Mr. Dixon, and would be remembered as long as he lived. The Borough Council were to be thanked for donating the site on which the c*uo was built, and thanks were due to all those who had assisted to raise money for the building of the club. There had been many donations towards the furnishing fund, and they had been able to wholly furnish the club. A great deal of thanks was due to the ladies who had very capably taken charge of the interior decorating, and last of al) he wished to thank the old housing committee for their good work during the past four and a half years. The other club room was very comfortable, and they had left it with a certain amount of regret. Mr. Dixon said that his one regret during the war was that he was not young enough to accompany the young fellows who had gone away. The only way he could help was to help those young fellows. This was a proud day with the soldiers. It was his privilege to open the temporary premises four years ago, and many people had said at that time that the chib was a mis- ; take—that it was a place whore young i men were going to do many things | which they should not do. But he said j that if the club were run on right lines ! no one need fear the consequences, and I now he had to congratulate the soldiers lon the way they had managed their , elub in the years past. They had now a permanent home. There was a comradeship amongst our boys in the trenches and fighting against the cozamon enemy that they would never forget. They had proved the true manhood of those with whom they were associated. There was no class distinction. They were all one, and those comradeships which were formed would never be forgotten. He was sure that the influences which, would go forth from the elub would be nothing but good. He hoped the time was not far distant when they should see a memorial alongside the club. An officer of the Police Department was visiting- the Hawera station that day, and the speaker knew that he was trying to find another place for the sergeant to live in. He wanted those present to help and come forward if they knew of a suitable place, and they could then put the old place on wheels (the club is situated nex-t to the police station and the sergeant’s house). If they could shift the sergeant’s residence they could have the memorial erected.

A voic: "What about th.e lock-up r' A voice: “What about tbe lock-up?” “I hope you will never be in it,” said Mr. Dixon.

He was glad to see Mr. Nolan, who had laid the foundation stone, present. He thought everyone was glad to see Mr. Nolan present, and he called on them to show their pleasure. (Hearty applause.) Hf* had very much pleasure in declaring the club open. (Applause). An inspection of the club showed ij to be very well fitted up, and a great credit to all who had a hand in bringing it into being. There is a very fine billiard room, containing three tables, and there is also a library and writing room, veterans’ room, lounge and canteen, all furnished and decorated very tastefully and comfortably. A feature of the library is a number of drawings hung on the walls of scenes on Gallipoli There are livi |g rooms on the premises for the caretaker.

During the afternoon the club orchestra, assisted by members of the Orchestral Society, and two members of the “Lilac Domino” company, rendered several very acceptable selections which were greatly appreciated. Afternoon tea was provided, and in the evening a social evening for members and their friends made a fitting termination to a most enjoyabla and interesting cerem (ny.