OFFICERS' CLUB ROOMS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21377, 21 January 1935, Page 6

OFFICERS' CLUB ROOMS

NEW QUARTERS OPENED GENERAL GODLEY PERFORMS CEREMONY COMPLIMENTARY DINNER

The new quarters of the Christchurch Officers' Club were officially opened on Saturday ' evening by General Sir Alexander Godley. The ceremony was preceded by a dinner in the Hotel Federal, where those seated at the main table besides General Godley were the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes; Colonel W. Mufphy, the chairman; Captain W. S. Fraser Macleod, R.N., of H.M.A.S. Australia; Colonel A. E. Stewart, Major Norton Francis, Colonel G. J. Smith, Colonel S. C. P> Nicholls, Mr fi. W. Hasell, and Canon H. O. T. Hanby.

Toasts honoured at the dinner Were "The King," "Absent Comrades," and "Our Guest, General Godley," proposed by Colonel Murphy, and replied to by General Godley. At Ihe conclusion of the speeches at the dinner the party adjourned to the new club rooms in Worcester street, whore the opening ceremony was held. Colonel W. Murphy, president of the club, introduced the visitors, and asked Colonel G. J. Smith to speak, Colonel Smith said that when he had asked Why he should speak, he was told that he was an old member of the club and had been its president many times. All present realised what a great amount of work General Godley had put into the formation and training of the territorial forces.

Fiftieth Anniversary in Septemftet The Officers' Club was not a new institution, as in September it would celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation. General Godley had always taken a great interest in officers clubß. "The club has "had its up and downs," said Colonel Smith, "and we have moved from time to time. In 1918 things were so bad that We met td decide if we should pay our debts and go out honourably. We decided to .carry on, and in carrying On have ex- j perienced a succession or successes. It is, moreover, not only a social club but a club of instruction as well, as is shown by the war games that are held, "Most of us remember with pleasure many kindnesses done to the club by Lady Godley and General Godley." The members were honoured by his presence there, and were glad to show him the way the club was living and what it was doing, said Colonel Murphy. All still took a great interest in the club, and however good the territorial forces were in the war, he could assure General Godley that the same spirit still existed and that the young men would live up to the example set by the senior officers. Colonel Murphy said that. he was sorry they had been unable to entertain the officers of H.M.AK Australia, but they were very pleased to see General Godley thereto open .the club and he could assure the members that , it would be put down in the records of the club.

General Godley's Speech "When I came to New. Zealand and had been selected to command the New Zealand fdrces. I was struck, on going round the various centres getting the training of the territorial forces under way, by the visits I made to '* the various officers'; clubs/' said General Godley. "Christchurch was one of the first I visited, and I expected to be put into ah armchair and to be told how the army was going to the dogs, what a rotten system the innovation was, and that the New-Zea-land War Office was a rotten: institu* tion. That is the Way it is done in the service clubs at Home. They are the resorts of that sort of ,man—ithe one who finally dies in the armchair and is carried out—when found," He Explained that when he arrived he soon found that he was expected to give dissertations on military tac-i tier,; and as he got to know the clubg better he realised that they were not places for fogies to sit in. By the war games they were taking a very active part in the education and advancement of the existing territorial forces and citizens' army. He had been surprised by it and then struck by it. After that he .always tried to send staff officers to srcture to the

" * very keen interest shown in the existing forces by the old staff officers. Colonel Slater told him that it*was hie duty to see that the officers' clubs were provided with every possible facility for helping the army of which' he was in command. ; It was a vefy live show then, and still was. New Zealand Generals "By your decorations on the walls of your rooms you are - keeping up the traditions of the New Zealand army," he said. , "As 1 look round. I can see photographs 6f your former presidents, of commanders of the Cariterbury forces, and of leaders 6f the New Zealand army during the Great War. There you have all, the New Zealand soldiers to rise to the rank of general," said General Godley. N He then enumerated them: Sir Edmund W. C. Chaytor, first Commander of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, later Commander of the Anzac Mounted Division in Palestine., and a famous war leader in Palestine, under whose command was the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade; Major-General Sir George S. Richardson, administrative head of the New Zealand forces j itt London during the war* Major-Gen* 6fal Sir Aiidrew H. RusseM, commanded I of the New '.Zealand Mounted; Rifle Brigade in Palestine before Sir Ed : iriund Chayto? came from New Zealand, and then in command of>the New i Zealand division- in France; and I 'Major-General Sii* Alfred" Robin, who commanded the First New Zealand Contingent in the South African War and was general officer-, commanding the New JZealand forces:at .the outbreak of the war.

"I am very glad to be able to pay my tribute to the club and to Colonel Smith, who is still taking a great interest in it, and who is helping to maintain it by acquiring new premises Which make a delightful memorial in pleasant surroundings.: I trust the Christchurch 'Officers'-.Club .will continue to flourish arid maintain its great record. Its spirit of soldiering and comradeship is a great asset to officers of the past, present, and future. I am honoured to declare the rooms open," concluded General Godley. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, who was ajsb. present, said that the members would always remember that the rooms had been opened by General Godley, and that that would give them an added significance. The club had been able to distribute quite a good deal of useful instruction. . .

"As for the financial part of it—l hope that I will, be able to do a little more than give my Usual answer 6f keeping it steadily in view," said Mr Forbes. He was very pleased to have been able to be present, and Wished the club- and General Godley every success and good fortune. "I would not be doing my duty if» on behalf of all the members, I did not thank General Godley for presenting a very fine portrait of himself to the club. I will ask-him to take back to England With him the best wishes of all the officers here to their old comrades," Baid Colonel Murphy.