OLD SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 97, 21 October 1932, Page 14

OLD SOLDIERS

FIRST CONTINGENT

J2ND ANNUAL REUNION

Thirty-three years have passed since the-steamer Waiwe/a left Wellington on, 21st October -with'the First Contingent of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles on. board, bound for the South African War. : On returning to Ne.w Zealand after, the cessation of hostili- ■ ties "The Firsts"; formed themselves -into an association which, despite the fact that most! ,-,of .its members were then past, the age of thirty, has proved a remarkably virile ■ organisation. Although only,il7 of the original force of 217 are still living in New Zealand, the annual reunion is invariably well attended, not only by members ot the association, .but also by the sons of members. At the • thirty-second reunion, held last night, the president, Major-Gene-ral _Bir Alfred W. Robin, K.C.M.G., presided over an attendance of about thirty, practically every district in the North Island being represented. Apologies for absence were received from the patrb:n,;-Majbr-G-'enel-al the Right Hon. the Eaß;b£:Athione,D.S.O., Aide-de-Gamp, Kensington Palace, London, and from: various "Firsts" scattered throughout Queensland', Western Australia, South ■ Africa,' and Rarotonga, and various parts of • New Zealand. As the function, wasabout to begin MajorGeneral W. L.. H. Sinclair-Burgess, General. Officer Commanding the New Zealand .Forces, called; and expressed his.regret at being unable to remain forVthe evening, and wished the company a pleasant and successful reunion. .■ The surviving members of the contingent are divided as follows:—In the North Island, 86; South Island, 31; England, 7; South Africa, 7; Australia, 10. There are ten members whose addresses are unknown. During the past year the-ranks of the association were depleted by the deaths of two vicepresidents, Lieuteitant-Colouel Burns, a medical officer, and Captain W. S. Canavan. . . ■ PASSING OP THE "CUTTER." \- At..the commencement of the proceedings the association's famous " cutter," a unique loving cup, was passed round the table. The "cutter" was originally a regulation enamel Army pannikin, but during its long term of service it has become embellished by three silver bands carrying a shield1 for each reunion. The1 passing of the "cutter" was followed by the loyal toast, and a chorus ending with the contingent's war cry,, "Ake, Ake, Kia Kaha, Hautana Auahiana.'* • , _ -The business of the annual meet- : ing was then disposed of in the course of a few. minutes. The association's officers were re-elected,1 except that Mr. T. W. Brown, the hbn.. treasurer, was made.hon. secretary also, in place of Captain J. F<. Rdckstrow, who stated that he wasrrelinquishing .the position because by residing at Eastbourne he was not as easily ■ accessible to members as was .Mr. Brown.': : It was,decided again/to issue the association's and the president made an appeal to members to submit articles to the secretary for ■publication. J According, to custom there was'no official ,toast list, the evening being spent in reminiscences arid the rpnewal of old acquaintanceships. The following contributed items:—Messrs. Jack Cummirigs, Jack Cook, aud Dr. Bowrie. Colonel :H. White, 8.5.0., D.C.M., pro: posed' the toast, of "The Army,, Na-yy, and Air Force," and Dr. Bowrie replied. Mr. Tv W. Brown proposed the toast of fine. Sixth Contingent," and Mr. E. Saylor. responded. The "Roll of Honcured. Dead" was read by Captain J. f.: Rbckstrow, .those, present standing ifi silence as a mark of respect.