DUNEDIN HIGHLAND RIFLES' REUNION

Evening Star, Issue 15477, 27 April 1914, Page 9

DUNEDIN HIGHLAND RIFLES' REUNION

A reunion of th© old members of th© Highland Rifles was held on Friday evening at Sweetings Restaurant, Slliart street. Lieutenant - colonel A. Stoncham was in th© chair, supported by past officers, and there was a good at tendance -of cx-niembers; An excellent supper had been prepared by Host Lawson. Apologies were received from a large number of old members, including ex-Captains J. L. Gillies and A. Dempster, ex-Lieuten-ant J. D. Cameron, ex-Bugler RT W. Wilkinson (now captain, sth Regiment, Wellington).

The loyal toast having been drunk, the chairman stat©d he was very pleased to be with his old comrades again, and hoped a pleasant evening would be spent by all. These reunions served to keep the exmembers in touch with each other, and at a future meeting steps would be taken to form an old members' association. He proposed the toast of "Absent Comrades," and mentioned many of tj)s old members who. although absent, Were with them in spirit.

Ex-Lieutenant D. Henderson proposed " Th© National Reserve," and said they, as old Volunteers, were fully in sympathy with th© reserve, and h© hoped the old members would join th© new organisation, and by so doing give support to the Territorials.

In responding to the toast, Lieutenantcolonel Stoneham explained the conditions of membership and service in the National Reserve, and expressed the hope that all his old comrades of the now defunct Dunedin Highland Rifles would enroll. At the preliminary parade of the reserve the night before he was pleased to see a number of his old comrades, and felt sure there should be no difficulty in enrolling a whole company of ex-Highland Riflemen, and they could continue their well-known enthusiasm in the new order of things. He was sure that the National Reserve was going to fill a long-felt want—<a want now more acute under the new Defence scheme, under which the terms of service were limited, and when these were completed a man went right out of the service, and lost touch with that which, for our country's sake, as well as his own, he should be in touch with as long as be lived. The National Reserve would do this, and do it effectively, without entailing any hardship en .the mem hers...; It had , now ; caught on properly, and the citizens fast realising what a great organisation i this reserve was going to be. This was in evidence at the preliminary parade, when almost every section of the community was represented, and he had not witnessed so inspiriting a sight since the celebrations of the South African War. The eagerness and enthusiasm displayed at that parade were going to be further shown on Tuesday, when the National Reserve, along with other troops, would be inspected by General Sir lan Hamilton. He felt quite sure that they would receive from the public present that day such a reception as would gladden their hearts. In conclusion he asked every member of the Dunedin Highland Rifles to fill in hie enrolment form, if he had not already done so, and send it along, and also be present on Tuesday for the general's inspection. The toast of "The Ex-Members'* was proposed by ex-Lieutenant J. S. Nelson, andT heartily responded" to. The Chairman proposed the health of "Our Secretary," which was given with musical honors, and responded to by Mr J. K. Macfie. During the evening songs and recitations were given by the following old members:—Messrs W. M'Kinlay, R. Gibson, D. Henderson, R. Clark, A". M. Paterson, D. Paterson, R. Harper, G. Waldie, J. G. M'Dougall, and R. H. Adair, and pipe selections were rendered by Messrs R. H. Adair and Dj Matheson. The duties of accompanist were carried out bv Mr J. K. Macfie.