TERRITORIALS

Evening Star, Issue 17731, 4 August 1921, Page 8

TERRITORIALS

[By Skirmisher.]

“The Dominion Rifle Association has,” fjays the ‘ Weekly Press.’ “ suffered a severe loss by .the removal of Major V. Diuuio, the popular secretary, from Wellington. Major Dunne, who has filled this arduous position since the reconstitution of the meetings, has made himself very popular with all. His courtesy, tact, and geniality has made him the friend of the competitors and officials alike, and it will indeed be difficult to find a man to follow him. The association has been particularly fortunate in its secretaries. Captain Roach© was an ideal mail for the, position, getting through the moss of work without apparent effort; and then we had Major Dunne, a worthy follower in his footsteps. I can only hope' that whoever is appointed will take, the two former secretaries as their guides, and the association will continue on its successful way. Major Dunuo is now located in Christcnurch. The establishment at Burnham is now fixed up, with Captain A. K. C. M liito, Rew. Zealand Army Ordnance Corps, in command. In future all camps in the southern command will bo held there. Burnham will bo to the southern command what Trcnlliam is to the centra.! command.

The London correspondent to the ‘Weekly Press’ mentions that a wellknown "Row Zealand visitor la England, who during the war was very much interested in itho welfare of the “boys” of the R.Z.E.F., lately went down to the New Forest, and, of course, made a point of reviving his memories of Brcckenhurst, which was the headquarters of the No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital. Ho went to the local military cemetery, and was much pleased to find how carefully tended arc; (ho graves of New Zealanders who are buried there, fresh flowers being continually placed on them all. Ho feels it would be a comfort for relatives in New Zealand to know that their sons and brothers have not been forgotten, and that kind English folk are tending their graves. A completv reorganisation of the New Zealand army chaplains’ department is announced. New regulations have been issued, which divide chaplains into three sections:—(l) Active list, (2) reserve list, (3) retired list. The wearing of uniforms by chaplains will not be compulsory except on mobilisation. From August 1, IS2I, all chaplains will cease to hold relative rank, but will bo graded as first class, second’ class, third class, and fourth class, according to length of service. Chaplains’ work in each military district will, bo controlled by a board of chaplains, consisting of representatives of the various denominations, whoso duty will be. to advise the officer commanding the district on all matters concerning the duties of chaplains. Members of the board will be as for as possible the senior chaplains in each denomination. In peace time opportunities for work will lie given to chaplains in connection with Territorial camps, Senior Cadets, and on welfare committees. In my notes last week, under extracts from the. ‘New Zealand Garotte,’ dated 21st July, 1921, Lieutenant-colonel .1. A. P. Fre.dric is referred to as “lieutenant.” I regret this clerical error. I understand that Colonel Eredric really wished and allied to be placed on the “retired list” of officers, but for some reason has been gazetted as having been placed on the “reserve list.” PASSING OF “HAS BEENS.” 'The gathering which took place at the Masonic Hall last Saturday evening to mark the passing of the old Dunedin Engineers was attended by some 100 oxmembers, included in the number being Lieutenant-colonel Barclay, Majors Waite, William?. Digby-Smilh, Ferguson, Captain Gardner, Lieutenants I!. .!.). Veitch ami Jones. Among the visitors present were Colonel K. JL Smith, Lieutenant-coir onols Chalmer, Eredric, Moir, Major Eraser, Captain Williams, and Lieutenant George. The chair was occupied by Lieu-tenant-colonel L. 0. Beal, the test commanding ofiicer of (he old company. In proposing the. toast of “His Majesty’s Sea, Laud, and Air Forces,’’ Colonel Moir touched on the relative importance of each arm of Hie servile, making special reference to the landing on Gallipoli and the heroes of the Liver Civile. Deferring to the wonderful work- of the

“ baby ” arm or the. ncrvire (the Hovel Air Force), Colonel A!oir said that no one could gauge the value of the ft re at work done hy tisem in the late wain 'J hey wore heroes every man of {hem.

'i’his toast was responded to hy Major Fraser, of the Xew Zealand Staff (loros, who laid stress on the need of the old Volunteer spirit to assure the sm o,>sr. of the present Territorial system. '! he country was undergoing a period of transition, ami a wave of rcstlpssness and desire for no ’more sea. land, amt air forces ww passing over fire people. The Empire must have them, and the speaker hoped that the Defence Forces would he hacked up in the future as in the past. Major Fraser briefly referred to tlm Cadeis ns being tire, basis of the Territorial Forces, and made a. special pipe lor the public support, led by the old Volunteer spirit. He, mentioned that recruits were being enlisted in Xew Zealand for the Navy and Air Force.

The toast of the evening, “The Dunedin Engineers,’’ was entrusted to Colonel Barclay, who on rising to speak was accorded quite an ovation, sure proof indeed of the high e.-leem in which he is held hy members of the old company once, under his command. Colonel Barclay briefly sketched the history of the company during the thirty-six years of its existence, recounting many of the difficulties experienced in the earlier days. He voiced the regret, that- was felt at the passing of the- old corps, not only on sentimental "rounds, hut also from a. utilitarian viewpoint. The technical knowledge which could he acquired was valuable, and he considered that the abolition of that particular branch of the service in Dunedin was a, great loss to the community. Colonel Barclay referred to the fine esprit de corps which had always existed, a. pleasing feature being the keen interest taken in (ho welfare of the company by those whose actual service had long ceased. The speaker referred to the flue record which the Dunedin Engineer.-; had established dining the war, and read the names of twenty-eight members of the company and Miigni.-.o' Cadets who had held corn missions in the Xew Zealand Expeditionary Force. The toast was responded to by (V>’oii<d Beal, ex-Scrgeant-major Bryant, ex-Sap-pers Dryland and M‘Queen (all original members of 1885), and by Lieutenant Flynn and Sergeant Barton. Ex-Sergeant-major Bryant caused much merriment by his humorous reminiscences, ihe various speakers were interesting, and in many cases extremely amusing, but spare will not permit of justice being done to their remarks.

Tlio toast of “Other Arms” whs ably proposed by Lieutenant Voileh, and replied to by Colonels Smith, Clialmcr, Fredrie, and Lieutenant George. Each speaker referred to tlio good feeling whic h had always existed between the Engineers and the company under his command.

Major Waite, in proposing the toast of “ Absent Comrade?,” made special reference to some of those who had died for King and country. and spoke with much feeling on the heroism of '.Major Frank Slat ham. who met his end so bravely when leading his company aI, Chanak Bair. Major Waito also recalled the services which had been rendered by others, instancing Majors May and Ross, Captain Midgley, and f;ho late Sergeant-major Henry.' In mentioning the names of many members who had passed away, Major Waite spoke of the late Captain “Ted” Lacey as having been a real sport, a man, and a soldier. Tie "referred to the many good qualities of Captain Lacey, who was aiwavs the life of the old company during his many years of faithful service. Cantain Lacey, who was in command of No. 2 Field Company at the time of Ida death, for many years conducted this column. During the evening musical items were rendered by Messrs Wilhelmson, Barton, Walls. Ley land. Ellis. Flynn, Mulligan, and others. Mr Evans acted as accompanist. H was decided to make the, gathering an annual fixture, and the following committee was formed :—Colonels Beal and Barclay, Major Ferguson, Lieutenant Veikh, and cx-S.M. Bryant.