OFF PARADE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 42, 18 August 1941, Page 9

OFF PARADE

NATIONAL RESERVE

SOCIAL GATHERING

The standard of efficiency achieved by the National Military Reserve was referred to by the Officer Commanding the 2nd N.M.R. (Lieut-Colonel G. Allen) and O.C. A Company (Major A. J. Nimmo) at a social gathering in the R.S.A. rooms on. Saturday night. It was A Company's first anriual smoke concert, and was largely attended, those present including, in addition to the two officers mentioned, Colonel C. McL. Smith (Fortress troops), Captain L. Ward (B Company), and Captain H. H. McCormick (Support Company), Colonel A. Cowles (R.S.A.), and Captain O. Mills (N.Z.T.5.).. There were appropriate decorations, the V sign being conspicuous. ' The chairman (Major Nimmo) spoke of the wonderful spirit and enthusiasm which the returned men had shown in their 30b and by which they had overcome difficulties in the early stages. If more of that spirit were shown abroad, he said, there would be a great deal less of the grumbling and growling that was heard at times in the community. The National Reserve had been built up to a fine standard of efficiency, and, although many changes had taken place during the period of its existence, the men had adapted themselves wonderfully well to the task.

Colonel Allen expressed his pleasure at the progress which had been made, and expressed the view that NewZealand should have a force every bit as efficient as it had overseas. He was convinced that that standard of efficiency was being achieved, and to that end the reserve itself had done well.

During the proceedings the chairmanship was taken over by Private C. Batten, who was appointed senior private for the occasion, and who had the company mascot, Private Booker, in attendance. They played their part in the evening's entertainment, as did the following contributors: Messrs. W. McKeon (Intelligence Officer), Tony Wood, C. Lindsay, J. C. King, Henry Tahiwi, W. Conroy, and Ravenswood, with. H. Hindle as. community-sing leader. Various toasts were honoured, and tribute paid to the fallen. Those who proposed the toasts were Major Nimmo, Captain Mills, and Private Hardie Boys, the replies being made by Colonel Allen, Captain H. Biss, and Colonel Cowles.