R.S.A.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18672, 22 April 1926, Page 13

R.S.A.

1 _ ANNUAL REUNION. The annual reunion of tho Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association was held last night in Jellicoe Hall, tho president (Mr ri. J. Knight) presiding over a large attendance. In proposing the toast of "Tho Returned Soldiers* Association," tho Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) said that up to the present the R.S.A. had given great service to the returned soldiers, but the present was the testing time, as, since they had been back, many men had got married, while others had gone to other districts, with tho result that tho Association was in danger of losing its interest for members. He appealed to them to keep together, so that they could speak with one voice in respect of any grievances they had. He mentioned that he had been a chaplain in the Tauherenikau camp during tho war period, and it wag one of his chief regrets that the authorities had ruled that he was too old to go to the Front. Replying, the chairman said that it was impossible to limit the period of usefulness of the R.S.A., and in this connexion he staled that although it was now 22 years since the conclusion of the South Afridan War, the Veterans' Association was stronger to-day than it had ever been previously. Other toasts honoured were: "Tho Parliament of Now Zealand," proposed by Mr W. E. Leadley, and responded to by Messrs D. G. Sullivan, M.P., and E. J. Howard, M.P.; "The Nurses," proposed by Colonel H. Stewart, and responded to by Mr H. I'leck; "Tho Club and Ita Founders." proposed by Mr G. W. Lloyd; "Kindred Societies," proposed by Mr C. V. Quiglcy, and responded to by representatives of*the Veterans' Association and the Commercial Travellers' Association; "The Performers," and "The Press." The Rev. H. L. Blamires (Nelson R.S.A.), Mr F. Ealos (Auckland R.S.A.), and Mr J. Cooper (Christchurch Working Men's Club), who were present, were welcomed by tho presidont, and briefly responded. Items were given, during the evening by Mossrs A. F. Graham, C. Harraway (songs), G. Bennett (accordion solo), A. Tongue (monologue), Law (violin solo), W. Llovd (monologue), and A. Owen (recitation).