THE FIRST MOUNTEDS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2599, 22 October 1915, Page 3

THE FIRST MOUNTEDS

ANNUAL DINNER

MANY AGAIN AT THE FRONT

Their fifteenth annual reunion and pinner was celebrated by the' First New Zealand Contingent at Godber's Rooms, j Cuba Street, last night. In tho absence of their Colonel (Brigadier-Gen-eral Robin), Sergt.-Major S. H. Tuck occupied ,the chair, and just under thirty were present. There were many notable absentees, for a large number of the "Firsts" have again taken up urrns, and art either at the front or ill preparation to go there. The list includes:—Major-Generai R. H. Davies, C.8., Lieut.-Colonel J. G. Hughes, D.5.0., N.Z.S.C;, Lieut.-Colonel D'Arcy Chaytor, Lieut.-ColoneJ W. R. N. Maddocks, H.A., Major J. H. White, N.Z. S.C., Major E. Harrowell, Major H. S. Orbell, Major G. Mitchell, Major H. D. 0. Ward, R.A., Major E. Burtlett, D.5.0., Major 0. R. Neale, Major G. R. Miller, R.A., Major W. C. Morrison, N.Z.S.C., Captain M. E. Lindsay, Captain F. A. /Wood. Captain A. H. Wilkio, Captain H. W. Smith,' Captain W. T. Pitt, Captain J.. J. Raynes, Captain A. Lo C. Bartrop, Lieut. A; Batchelor, Lieut, li. J. Frseth, Lieut. S. Joyce, Rcgt.-Sergt.-Major C. H. Bould, Quar-termaster-Sergt. N. J. C. M'Donald, Sergt. W. Mahood, 'Sergt. W. Johnston, Saddler J. A. Aitken. In Camp: Captain D. E. Cardale, N.Z.S.C., Sergt.Major W. T. Burr, Band Sergt. F. Fox, Corporal J. A. Home. A laige number.of apologies for- absence were received; including one from Lieut.-Colonel J. G. Hughes, D.5.0., from Tencdos, Turkey.' -He cabled, "Good luck. Love to.all. Best wishes," and his message was received with applaUce. Captain Fred W'ood also wrote i'rom First General. Hospital, . Alexandria, iii a very interesting manner. He detailed how he came by his injuries, and the letter was mitten, with his left hand, his right having been put out of action by a bomb.. Captam Wood ; spoke in eulogistic terms of the fighting capacity of the New Zealand boys, and said that before he left-he had said that they would do well'in any kind of fighting. . The chairman said that the' record of the Firsts, in the number they had at the front, was something to-be pro.ud of. It represented nearly'so per cent, of the members of the association.

The toast of "The King" was duly honoured, and the office-bearers of the association were all re-elected. The toast of "The Army and Navy" was proposed by Mr. J. M'Pherson, and responded to by Mr. W. Blenkhorn and Mr. F. E. Beamish (6th Contingent). Mr. J. F. Rockstrow proposed the toast of "The Firsts Serving Abroad," and gave some interesting details of the wqrk being done by Major-General R. .H. Davies. They would; all be pleased, he said, that Lieutenant-Colonel "Jackie" Hughes had got his promotion. ■He was in the thick of it, and was about the only officer .who went with the Main Body who had not been laid up for some time. Lieutenant-Colonel Chaytor, another of their old comrades, ■was with the Naval Brigade at the Dardanelles. Unofficial - information' • had been received that Major J. H. Whyto, N.Z.S.C., had been wounded. Major H. D. O. Ward and Major Miller were at the front in France. He gave interesting personal details of many of the other' "Firsts" who were at the front. Speaking of the Maoris,! hesaid that thoy made the best showing of any of New Zealand's troops before they left Wellington. Since going to the front they had been equally- good "on every portunity. He thought tliat the "Firsts" liad put up a highly, creditable record in having thirty-six men again serving; at tho: fi'ont. ;. Seventy , of them had nad commissions at one time of other since the contingent left for- South Africa I sixteen years ago.

Sergeant-Major W..T. Burr responded to the toast, and mentioned that it was a well-known fact that the instructional staff had got to stop" here, however much they would like to go ,to the front. One instructor here could do as much as i one hundred at. the front. He impressed on those present that more men were wanted at the front, and suggested that the members of the First Contingent should band themselves together to send recruits to the camp. It was pleasing,' ho said, to - find that after sixteen s ; ears the "Old First'' still held together, and if each man, in the furtherance of the "more men scheme," could n;et one volunteer it would bo a. good thins. (Applause.) . Other toasts were:- "Comrades Who Have Gone Before—The Roll of Honoured Dead," proposed by Miv C.' L. Jewell, and the members stood in respect to the memory of the fallen; "Absent Comlades" (the chairman), 'V-and "The Ladies" (Mr. Witherford). Many musical items were given, and an enjoyable evening was 'concluded at a lato hour with the" singing of the National Anthem.