TARANAKI WAR VETERANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1922, Page 4

TARANAKI WAR VETERANS.

A HAPPY RE-UNION. ADDRESS BY BISHOP AVERIUL The Taranaki war veterans, with their wives and friends, assembled at Kawa 4 roa Park pavilion yesterday afternoon and epent a happy two hour* The purpose was to entertain the younger men of the town, who for many years past, have entertained the -veterans, and to make a. presentation and say' good-tby-e to Mr. J. Black, for over twenty yeare secretary of the branchArchdeacon F. G. Evans presided, and there were also present Bishop Averill and Mrs. Averill, and the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson). After afternoon tea had been partaken of and a song given (by Mr. C. H. Wyatt, the chairman referred to the splendid past services of Captain Black, who was obliged to resign his position owing to failing eyesight, etc., whicn they all deplored. In presenting Captain Black with a cheque, Mr. Adlam said that but for him the branch would have been disbanded years ago. He had always taken the greatest interest in the Association, and the veterans were grateful to him forall he had done, and were desirous of showing their appreciation in a practi« cal manner.

Captain Black, who was greeted with applause, said he was grateful for the kindly action of his comrades. He had tried to do his best for them, but now his eyesight was going and sciatica was troubling him, which made it necessary for him to give up his duties and say good-bye to them. The chairman expressed the hope that Captain Black would soon get again, and that his comrades would see him again at their functions. Dr. Averill, who was invited to address the gathering, expressed his pleasure at being present on such an occasion and partake of the veterans’ hospitality and good-fellowship. A note had been struck of the penalties of old age, but he desired to strike an opposite one. Old age had its compensa-« tions. They were able to get into th® back-wash, and had the joy of sitting quietly back and seeing the torrent of life rushing on its- way, perhaps striking boulders in its passage towards th® sea. There was pleasure in watching the events of the day and comparing them with the events of the past—always, of course, in favor of the poat. (Laughter). They realised, however, that the race to-day was for the young and strong, yet there was joy and happiness in feeling that the present wa® not as good as the past. Another compensation was to be found in contemplating the part taken by the boys bf New Zealand in the Great War. Why waa it that they 'had played such a noble part? Because of the example set them by their mothers and fathers, the pioneers of their country. It could not have been otherwise with such forebears. in meeting the veterans at Auckland he had often thought that th'oso of to-day had reason to feel sat-< is-fied with and grateful to the splendid stock from which they had sprung for laying such solid foundations in this young country. -So long as those of today tried to follow in the footsteps of thes-e splendid older men and women, so long would they approach nearer to making this “God’s Own Country.” (Hear, hear). Re took off his hat to those fine old men and women. Another compensation for old age was the reflection that they had in their time done their “bit,” and that the younger generation, in the greatest crisis in the world’s history, had also done their “bit.” The Bish'op then referred to the dangers besetting the early settlers in the settlement of the country, and the heroic part they had played, which was an example to and an inspiration for those who were following them, and concluded by assuring them they had not lived in vain, nor were they without honor amongst the present generation. (Applause) The Mayor followed. He paid a tribute to the work of Captain Black, who was the heart and soul of the local branch and had always taken th® keenest interest in the veterans’ affairs. He trusted he would soon be restored to good health. Messrs. T. C. List and E. P. Web< ster expressed the thanks of the younger men of the town for the kindnesa of the veterans in entertaining them, and the hope that the veterans would be long spared to enjoy their declining yeans.

During the proceedings a recitation was given by Mrs. F. G. Evans, and by Messrs. Gooder and Wyatt, SergeantMajor Lister, Mrs. George presiding at. the piano. Stories were also related by Comrades Adlam and John Hislop, ns well as by the chairman and Bishop Averill, and a happy gathering was brought to a close by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”