"OUR DAY"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2940, 28 November 1916, Page 6

"OUR DAY"

, RETURNED SOLDIERS' EFFORT. 1 The arrangements mnde for the returned soldiers' appeal for funds ' on. ./'..Friday and Saturday next wore dlscussed at a meeting of members of the Wellington Returned Soldiors' Association last night. Mr. J. P. Harper was • in the chair, and there was a large attendance of members. The Mrianc© Committee set np at a,'' • meeting reported' regarding the preparations. The project had been taken up with, vigour by leading citizens, and there was every indication that if the returned soldiers them- , selves worked with enthusiasm the effort would be a complete success. The chairman emphasised the association's need of funds, in order, that it might secure a club building of its 1 icwn. If every returned soldier took \ - '.in active interest in' the effort, the pub'lie would co-operate heartily, and a. substantial sum would be raised. The effort was to be made on Friday and fiaturday, December 1 and 2, and the iDofence authorities'had- granted perimission to returned' soldiers to,wear • on those days, with tfre red arm bands. The chairman, mentioned that the programme for the fete in ;tho Basin .Roserve on Saturday contained many attractive features, and (would require the co-operation of re.'turned soldiers. Sergeant-Major Dent, who still boro the marks of the Gallipoli fighting, would direct the blindfold squad drill. Hat-trimming and -hair-dressing competitions for returned 1 : soldiers would fie important features of the proceedings. The torchlight procession to be held " on Friday evening was also mentioned by the chairman. Lieutenant-Colonel iHugkes had consented to lead the procession. The members of the Veterans' .;.:''.'.'']Associaiion would take part, and per- ■//■ mission had been p'ven for an 1 optional .parade of Territorials. The procession would bo big and interesting. The Camp Commandant had undertaken to give leave to all returned men in camp lor Friday evening and Saturday. Tha procession would end at the Basin Reserve, where i an exhibition of fireworks .would bo given.. ; Matters of detail were discussed before the meeting closed. • The military will take a prominent part in the Returned Soldiers' Days lioth on Friday and Saturday next. | (Leading features in the torchlight pro- | . Session will be parades of returned men and. veterans, while on Saturday the camp. authorities have arranged for a large contingent of 1 troops to come into i. town. These will probably disembark at Te Aro station, and march thence to the Basin Reserve with their band. "The bayonet fighting display is now . assured, and other items of interest are expected from camp squads.