WAR DAYS RECALLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 91, 18 April 1929, Page 10

WAR DAYS RECALLED.

EX-SOLDIERS' REUNION.

WORK OF AUCKLAND R.S.AJ

APPEAL BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL,

Over 400 members of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, their wives and friends, attended a reunion last evening at the Scots Hall. The president. Lieut.-Colonel T. H. Dawson, C.M.G., was in the chair. The GovernorGeneral, Sir Charles Fergusson. and Lady Alice Fergusson, attended. Others present included Mrs. B. Cadoux, president of the Women's Ex-Service Association, who wore her four war decorations, and Mrs. Dawson.

In welcoming the Governor-General, the chairman reminded ex-soldiers that Sir Charles Fergusson was a famous soldier, having commanded the sth Division in the famous retreat from Mons.

"I am delighted to he. with some of mv old comrades again," said his Excellency. "Many of us here to-night serv ed in the same theatre of war. My next remark always causes laughter. We spoke the same language in those davs. (Laughter and applause.) And we saw the same scenes."

Lieut.-Colonel Dawson had said that womenfolk had been invited to the gathering in order that they might see the type of men with whom their husbands consorted during a few horrible war years. He was glad Lady Fergusson had accompanied him for that reason alone. "But if your Excellency thinks they all looked like they do to-night, you are very much mistaken," Sir Charles said to Lady Fergusson. "And if you think they spoke then as thev speak to-night, especially when the rations failed to come up, then you are still more mistaken." (Laughter.) "But we have all trimmed ourselves up considerably sinos those days. We have got greyer, older and some a little more bald. However, they are the same fine men, and I am delighted to be with | them again."

His Excellency said he yesterday read' the annual report of the Auckland turned Soldiers' Association. This had given him great satisfaction. He w» a delighted to see that the membership was steadily growing, particularly at a time when men wen inclined to drift

apart from the association. It showed that m-embers appreciated the benefits of the association, not only for themselves, but lor others who were less fortunate and unabVa to help themselves. The association assisted the poor chaps who were down on their luck to find their feet again, and secure for them their pensions. It also did a variety of other good things. Sir Charles appealed for a continued interest in the affairs of the association.

The band of th-a Northern Depot. Xew Zealand Engineers, under the baton of Lieutenant A. Stewart, who left New Zealand as a drummer boy with the Main Body, played a number of militarv and English airs during the evening, 'while the Lync Quartet, and Mr. Alan Mr Elwain gave vocal items. Mr. Ron. Mus. ton rendered two fine violin solos. The gathering, which was eminentlv successful, concluded after supper had been served.