THE SOLDIERS’ FRIEND

Evening Star, Issue 18255, 20 April 1923, Page 4

THE SOLDIERS’ FRIEND

PRESENTATION TO REV. W. WALKER. [Special to the ‘Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, April 19., At to-night’s annual meeting of vhe Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association the presentation of a cheque for £2O and a gold-mounted R.S.A. badge , was made to" the Rev. W. Walker, president of the association for the last five years, who is taking uj) his residence in Dunedin. Mr W. E. Leadley, secretary of the association, stated that the returned soldiers of Christchurch, an losing the services of Mr Walker, were losing their very best friend. The “diggers” of Christchurch recognised him as a “white man,” and his sterling qualities were known not only in Christchurch, but to association members throughout the whole dominion. A .large number t of those present also paid eulogistic testimony to Mr Walker, who, they said, was a time “ sport,” and had exercised a splendid influence not only in Christchurch, but throughout New Zealand. Mr H. J. Knight, in making the presentation of the cheque, said that Mr Walker’s work , had not only been ui Christchurch, but he had done splendid service for the New Zealand R.S.A. He hoped Mr Walker, on going to Dunedin, would get back into the movementjis soon as possible. In conclusion, he declared the parting president an honorary life member of the association, and presented hiir (in addition to the cheque) with the gold-mounted R.S.A. badge. , The Rev. Mr Walker, who was aokuo-v----lodged with hearty approbation and the singing of ‘For He’s a, Jolly Good, Fellow,’ thanked the members for their kindly remarks and for the honor of, making him a life member of the association. His heart had been in the association, he said, and a new understanding had been born in him on the battlefields of Flanders, where he had seen the spirit of the, men who were standing between this, dominion and those, who would overrun it if they could. Prior to the war he warV in danger of losing confidence in men; but the war had restored his confidence, and it was the spirit of brotherhood which had been shown amongst the forces that lie wished to see continued amongst the association members to-day. From his heart he wanted to thank them for their kindness, and he assured them that he would always endeavor to live up to the honor which they had bestowed on him.