TOKOMARU BAY NEWS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22570, 25 February 1948, Page 7

TOKOMARU BAY NEWS

R.S.A. REUNION APPEAL FOR CO-OPERATION (Herald Correspondent.) .Over 70 members of the R.S.A. gathered in the Masonic Hall, Tokomaru Bay, for the first of the two annual reunions. As well as a fair gathering of local members, several guests were present, including Mr. J. Lcggat, president of the Gisborne R.S.A., Mr. A. H. Miller, secretary of the Gisborne association, and Mr. P. J. Balfour, a member of the Gisborne executive, Mr. O. G. James, sen., led a party from Tolaga Bay. Presiding over the function, Captain P. McCallum proposed the Loyal toast and welcomed all present. The toast “Absent Comrades” was proposed by Mr. A. Morgan and drunk in silence. Mr. .Tack King proposed the toast to the visitors and Mr. Miller and Mr. James both replied. On behalf ot the Maori members, short addresses were made by Messrs. R. Moana. H. Kopua and P. Awatere. In a short address Mr. Leggat spoke of the work of the R.S.A. He said that too often returned men would not join and would ask "What do I get out of the R.S.A?’’ Tile answer to that, said the speaker, was “Nothing . . . . while you are fit and well.” It was when a man was in dire need of help that the R.S.A. came to his aid, said Mr. Lcggat, and it was up to all returned men to assist their less fortunate comrades by joining the associa. tion. Ho told of several instances of how the R.S.A. has helped, and appealed for greater co-operation from members. At a suitable interval the timehonoured supper of hot savouries was served and throughout the evening a team of mess orderlies did sterling work. Items were given by Messrs. D. Priest, I-I. Brown, O. James, P. Awatere, A. Mulligan, J. Elliott, F. Narien, J. Macaulcy, Balfour and P. McCallum.