SOLDIERS HOLD REUNION

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22082, 3 May 1937, Page 10

SOLDIERS HOLD REUNION

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCES LARGE GATHERING AT , ■ VETERANS’ HALL Australian soldiers in Christchurch assembled at the Veterans’ Hall on Saturday evening for the annual reunion of the Australian Imperial Forces Association of New Zealand. The hall was arranged in the form of a dugout, with sandbags at the entrance, and in a further attempt to recapture something of the war-time amosphere, “diggers” appeared in the full kit of the Australian soldier. . Sprigs of wattle, the national flower, were issued to all who attended. The Mayor, Mr J. W. Bean land, who is an Australian by birth, was among those who attended. Representatives were present from the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the Old Contemptiblcs’ AskKfiation, the Veterans’ Association, and the New Zealand Permanent Forces. The president, Mr L. Vemazoni. presided. After "Fall In” and “Retrkit” had been sounded by Trumpeter H. Fox; the gathering stood, facing a memorial wreath made.in the form of an Australian Imperial Forces badge, while the president paid a tribute to the men who had fallen. Alter an address by the chairman, “Last Post” was sounded, followed by "Reveille,” the singing of the National Anthem, and the sounding of the "Royal Salute.” In extending a welcome to the visitors, the chairman said they were proud to have the Mayor •with him as an “Aussie.” He also spoke til the happy relations existing between ; the association and the kindred organisations, of returned soldiers. -

The Mavor said he was delighted to be present at such an important gathering, .and he was very proud of the fact that he was an Australian, though he had been long in New Zealand. The toast list Included the following:—“ The Old Contemptibles,” proposed,by Mr J. A. Gregor; and responded to by Mr W. T. Blaikie; “The Returned Soldiers’ Association,” proposed by Mr R. C. Halex, and responded to by Mr W. E. Leadley, president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association; . “The 1 Australian Imperial Forces,’’ proposed by Mr W. J. Wilson,* and responded to by the president; “The Permanent Forces,” proposed by Mr R,*A. Campbell, and responded to' by Sergeant-Major A. L. Emerson; "The Navy,” proposed by the president, and responded to by Major W. E. S. Fuirby, representing the Navy League; “The Light Horse,” proposed by the president, and responded to by Mr wiffln; and “The Artists,” proposed by Mr G- H, Bourne, During the evening musical and humorous items were contributed. Much time was spent in reminiscences and stories.