R.S.A. REUNION

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 178, 26 April 1938, Page 12

R.S.A. REUNION

Kilbirnie, Lyall Bay And Melrose Committee The Kilbirnie. Lyall Bay and Melrose auxiliary committee of the Returned Soldiers’ Association held a reunion at its clubrooms, Kilbirnie, on Saturday night. The chairman of the committee, Mr. D. Gunn, presided over a large attendance. Proposing the toast of the executive of the Wellington branch of the R.S.A., Mr. H. JU. Harris said that his work as secretary of the auxiliary committee brought him into close contact with the members of the executive and the ordinary members of the association, and lie had found that the actions of the executive met with the approval and support of the other members. He paid a tribute to the service rendered to members of the K.S.A. by the president of the Wellington executive, Lieutenant-Colonel A. Cowles, and the secretary of the War Relief Association, Mr. F. E. Bailey.

Replying to the toast, Colonel Cowles said that the establishment of auxiliary committees had been of great benefit to the association. They took over much of the detailed work of the executive, leaving it free to concentrate on matters of more general importance. He remarked that requests of the K.S.A. had been accorded full,consideration by every Government to which it had applied for assistance. This was due not. only to the service which returned' soldiers had rendered their country but also to the reasonableness of the requests, and the willingness of the association 1o assist the Government by suggesting a system for the administration of State assistance. Replying on behalf of the War Relief Association, Mr. Bailey said that one of the major problems of the association was the maintenance ami care of returned soldiers who had been discharged from hospital before they were fit for work. 'These men needed a period of convalescence to complete their recovery, but facilities for this were scarce, and many men started work before they were fit for ‘ir and suffered a relapse. After the vice-chairman of the auxiliary committee. Mr. G. F. East, had proposed the toast "Fallen ’Comrades,” the lights were extinguished and all present stood in silence while Mr. H. Tahiwi sang "Requiem.” The chairman announced that there were three men present who took part in the retreat from Mons. Upon his request they stood up'and were enthusiastically cheered. Several other toasts were honoured. Vocal and instrumental items were given bv Messrs. F. Gould. W. Jolies. R. Fisher. K. Jeffs, G. Tynan. H. Tahiwi, M. Urwin and J. Drinnau and Major Cameron Mr. R. Brown played the accompaniments' and two pianoforte solos.