HAPPY GATHERING

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 259, 29 July 1937, Page 4

HAPPY GATHERING

Tea for South African War Veterans Veterans of the South African War met at Kirkcaklie’s tea rooms yesterday at the invitation of Captain J. J. Clark, president of the Wellington branch of the South African War Veterans’ Association, and Mrs. Clark, to have afternoon tea and indulge in reminiscences of many years ago. There was a large attendance, including delegates from other centres who arc attending the association's conference at Wellington.

The guests were received by Captain aud Mrs. Clark, the latter wearing a frock of black floral marocain, a black fur coat with large collar and a black hat. Her shoulder spray was of deep pink carnations and maidenhair fern. Mrs. d’Emden, on behalf of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, presented Mrs. Clark with a bouquet of freesias and violets. When all were seated at the long tables, which were decorated with little crystal bowls of hyacinths, primroses, cyclamen and maidenhair fern, songs' that were popular at the end of last century and the beginning of this one —including “Dolly Grey,” “Lily of Laguna,” and “Soldiers of the Queen” were enthuiastically sung.

During the afternoon, Mr. W. J. Green (Rotorua), who described himself as the “baby” of the veterans, thanked the host and hostess for their hospitality and called upon Mrs. Frank Hay, a daughter of the late Richard John Seddon, to speak. Mrs. Hay told her audience that she really felt herself to be one of the “veterans,” for it was her privilege to have been her father’s private secretary during the South African War. She mentioned various incidents of the period and when she sat down, amid loud applause, she was serenaded by the entire gathering. Another visitor was Miss Robin, sister of the late General Sir Alfred Robin. Through Captain Clark, Miss Robin expressed her appreciation at being asked to be present. While afternoon tea was being served, community singing was again indulged in.

Sitting at the “king” table with the host and hostess were Mrs. Hay, Miss Robin, Mrs. C. Cull, Mrs. George d’Emden, Mr. G. Mitchell, Mr. Thomas McWhirter (Dominion president), Mr. J. I. Goldsmith, Mr. Richardson. The following delegates were also present:—Mr. J. J. O’Reilly (Wanganui), W. J. Carbis (North Taranaki) A. McKeown (Waitara), W. J. Green (Rotorua), A. G. Bertram (Auckland), R. W. Todd (Invercargill), T. Richardson (Stratford), M. W. Wall (Tauranga), A. Trenkner (Palmerston North), S. W. Lankshear (Palmerston North). Others present were:—Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Aldrich, Mrs. F. Warden, Mrs. J. Payne, Miss J. Nevile; Messrs. M. E. Wortley, M. Murray, A. Collins, J. W. Cowdrey, A. J. Harper, R. Tomkins, E. Hogg, A M. E. Mason, W. H. Hayman, H. C. Thompson, W. McNair Miller, L. J. B. Hammond, R. de B. Brandon, G. Gibson, Chas. F. Bishop, W. Burr, C. 11. Ritzema, A. Duncan, 8.-C. Cull, W. T. C. Wortley, F. Burton Mabin, F. Warder, James H. E. Tilling, J. V. Scott, J. Remnent, E. R. Knight (Christchurch).