OLD COMRADES HOLD ANNUAL REUNION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 173, 19 April 1937, Page 14

OLD COMRADES HOLD ANNUAL REUNION

Address by Rev. A. Muriel “COMPLETING A TASK SO NOBLY BEGUN” A vivid picture of a number of Australian soldiers sitting round a brazier in a dug-out behind the front lines and burning bluegum leaves received from home, at the same time conjuring up visions of their native land, was drawn by the Itev. A. Muriel, M.C., in an address at the annual reunion ot the Old Comrades’ Association held in the Garrison Hall, Buckle Street, on Saturday afternoon. There was an attendance of about eighty. 1 Among those present were Captain H. 0. Petersen, Messrs. J. Gentles, G. Law, 11. J. Poole and J. Cameron, who served in the old Armed Constabulaij. Some of the members of this famous regiment transferred to the Police Force and Permanent Militia, which was the first defence force in the colon'y in 1882. The latter unit was divided into two sections and became the Permanent Artillery and the Torpedo Corps. In 1005 they were renamed the Royal N.Z. Artillery and Royal N.Z. Engineers. The parade on Saturday was in charge of the president of the association, Mr. J. Spence. The proceedings included the playing of “The Last Post” and the placing of a wreath by Mr. Hyland on behalf of the association at the foot of the memorial to the Royal New Zealand Artillery Regiment, whieli was draped with flags. A short service was conducted by Mr. Muriel. "The question before us is, what would these men who paid the great sacrifice say to us if they were able to communicate with us—these men who were neither saints nor ne’er-do-wells/ but just ordinary average ilien,” he said. "On such an occasion as this we should ask ourselves whether we are rendering merely lip service or whether we are by our lives attempting to complete the work they gave us to do. . "I would point out,” said Mr. Muriel, "that the best form of remembrance is not in monuments nor in obelisks; the truest form of remembrance is in trying to complete the task which these men'so nobly began. Let us then consecrate the remainder of the years that are given to us to this high and noble service, and we shall be able to say when we tell those who follow on the story of the deeds of heroes:

‘With weeping and with laughter long

shall the tale be told How well the Anzacs fought the fight in the brave days of old.’ ” The ceremony concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.