BATTERY SMOKE CONCERT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 133, 12 June 1909, Page 9

BATTERY SMOKE CONCERT.

Memoers of the D Battery N.Z.F.A.V. assembled in lfnge numbers at the Masonic Hall, Boulcott-street, last evening on the occasion of the annual smoke concert. The attendance is said to have been the largest that the Battery has yet had at a similar function. Captain Petherick, officer commanding the Battery, presided, and among the visitors were Major J. E. Hume, R.N.Z.A., Captain F. J. Courtney, and Lieut. RobinfK>n (Petone .Navals). Apologies for absence were received from Lieut.-Col. Bauchop, Lieut.-Col. Duthie, Captain G. S. Richardson, and otherb. "The King" having been duly honoured, a varied and enjoyable programme was proceeded with. Captain Courtney, in proposing the [ tpast "The- and Navy and Auxij liary Forces" made patriotic references Ito England's naval strength. The spirit ! of the ses*, he said, would never entirely disappear from among the English people, and we who lived also in an island would never lose that spirit. Today more interest was being taken in :naval matters than formerly. Gaptarn Courtney quoted with approval a, statement of Prince Kouropatkin to the effect that it is not an army that is required to carry on a war, but an armed nation. He hoped that a greater army would before long exist in New Zealand. Major Hume, in responding, gave it as his opinion that they did not see enough of the Nayy —the Army and the Navy should meet to a greater extent than they did. In peace time a detachment of the Imperial Navy could, without inconvenience, be spared to visit the colonies. In the matter of the Army, he would recommend his hearers to study the utterances of Lord Roberts. He congratulated the Battery upon the excellent standard of efficiency attained in their work. Other toasts included "Our Instructois," propo&ed by Lieut. Skelley, responded to by Sergeant" Petersen and Corporal Somerville; "Old Members," proposed by Captain Petherick, reply by Captain Courtney; '-Other Corps," proposed by Lieut. Glendining and reply by Sergeant Cowles ; "The Ladies," proposed by Lieut. M'Kenzie; and '•The Presp." During the evening songs and recitations were contributed by Messrs. Eichian, Toohill, Cummings, Jacobs, Bastin, Major, Watts, Gunners Grant, Kiely, and Pierard. The accompanist was Mr. Dyson. Captain Petherick presented trophies to the tuccessfiil competitions at the Saturday afternoon rifle matches at Trentham. and in the company drill during the 1908-9 season.