VETERANS' DINNER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 825, 25 May 1910, Page 2

VETERANS' DINNER.

INTERESTING REMINISCENCES. A PRESENTATION. Many battles were fought over again ami much good fellowship prevailed at the veterans' annual dinner last evening. The function, which is a regular Empire Day fixture, under the auspices of tire Wellington branch of the Royal Now Zealand Association of His Majesty'? Veterans, ivas held in tho Masonic Hall. Colonel Newa.ll, C.8., presided, and was supported by tho Hon. C. Jl. Luke, M.I/.C, tho Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford, ' M.P.), Mr. E. Fletcher (chairman of the Harbour Board), Mr. H. C. Tewsley (pre sideat of tho Chamber of Commerce), and others. His Excellency the Governor. Chief among several apologies for absence was one from his Excellency th« , Governor, who had intended to be present, but was prevented by the death nf ■ h:s late Majesty. He expressed great disappointment at being unable to again meet tho veterans'. Th« chairman said the veterans were deeply sorry for his Excellency's absence, and more so for tho. reason of it. Lord Plunket had been president of the association for u considerable time, and had shown great interest in it. Thej would all wish him a pleasant return to his native laud—that green island which had produced such great soldiers as Wellington, Roberts, Wolseley, and Kitchener. (Applause.) Mr. Thomas Urwin, vice-president, in proposing tha toast of his Excellency tho Governor, spoko feelingly of the help and encouragement which Lord Plunket had always given to the Veterans' Associa. tion. They all wished him every happiness and prosperity, and hoped ho would always have a kindly thought for tho old veterans. The toast was honoured with enthusiasm. Captain Edwin,- R.N., responded in tha absence of the Governor. The toast of "Parliament" was proposed by Mr. H. C. Tewsley, and acknowledged by the Hon. 0. M Luke, M.L.C. The Navy. "The check-string uf the ' Empire," was the phrase, applied to the Navy by the Mayor (Mr. Wilford) in proposing "The Army and Navy." Hq spoke strongly iu favour of the payment to the Britisr Government of as large a naval subsidj as we could afford, iu preference to at> templing to form a New Zealand navy. He regarded the German navy as a serious menace,' and the fate of New Zealand would depend ou a battle.that would bo ■. fought iu the neighbourhood of the North Bea. Battleships were cheaper than battles. (Applause.) Captain Edwin, K.N., in responding, said that in spite of some educational improvements, tho men of the Navy were the same material now as they were in his time. They were woll cared for 'and well taught, and were better men than they would have been if they had not joined the Navy. He' hoped the result of the training on the Amokura, whero everything possible was being done for the boys, would be equally good. A Reminiscence. Sergeant-Major Bezar, in responding fol the Army, said he wondered if anyone present besides himself could remember tlcj celebration of the lato Queen Victoria's birthday by the troops in the Crimea 54 years ago. It was a splendid sight, with the' British Army, the British and Prench staffs, and many of the Russian staff present. The speeches on the next toast—"Tin Mayor and Councillors, and the Wellington Harbour Board" —were short.' Jt was proposed by tho chairman, and responued to by Mr. Wilford, and Mr. R. Fletcher. Mr. C. H. Izard proposed "The Voter, ans and the Native Race," and also gave ! u touching recitation. A Merited Honour. Colonel Newnll, .in responding, -ex< pressed great satisfaction'with the award of the Mow Zealand Cross to Mr. H.' W. " Northcroft, S.M., whom he had known in tho Taranaki war as Captain Henry Northcroft. Perhaps Captain Northcroft had not much of the "suaviter in. modo," but the "fortiter in re" like a comet burned.' Yet many a time, another man's burden was carried on tha broad shoulders of Captain William Northcroft. Presentation to the Secretary. Tho vice-president (Mr. T. Urwin), ia making a presentation to the secretary (Mr. S. Stidolph), referred to the estab. lishment of tho association in tho year 1891, mainly throngh tho efforts of Mr,' Tregear, and in spite of great difficulties. The members were proud that their association had the patronage of hia Majesty the King, which ,was granted by the late King Edward.' They recollected with pleasure the attention shown them by the present King, and they -would always be proud ol' tho uniforms they had worn and the decorations on their breasts. He believed they were tho onlj veterans' association this side of the Line which had a lady veteran (Nurso Reed) anion? its members. Mr. Urwin concluded by alluding in terms of warm praise to Mr. Stidolph's services as, secretary, and handed him a presentation timepiece. Mr. Stidolph, who appeared to lie quite taken by surprise, briefly expressed his thanks. Other Toasts. Dr. Izard proposed "The Ladies and tho Wives and Families of Veterans," an<i Veteran W. Revell responded. The " toast of "Kindred Associations" was given by Mr. R. Tingey, and acknowledged by Mr. H. J. Williams. The solemn toast of "The Memory of Veterans who have passed away" was proposed by the vice-president. "The Press" and "The Visitors" were, also honoured. The Wellington Pipe Band played "Ths Flowers of the Forest," in comme- - moration of the death of King Edward VII, and other musical items were rendered. A dance was afterwards held.