LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 March 1928, Page 10

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN.

ELTHAM branch

ANNUAL MEETING ANI) SOCIAL. The first annual meeting of the Eltham troop of M. Squadron, New Zealand Legion of Frontiersmen, was held last evening in the Foresters’ Hall, Llt.ham. Troop Leader .Lieutenant. R. B. Foord presided over a good attendance of members. Apologies for absence were received from Squadron .Commander Colonel Weston, Sir W. iCarncross, an 1 Frontiersmen C. Garneross, Tait and J. Bates. ANNUAL REPORT. In his report on the progress and operations of the troop, Lieut. Foord said the organisation was probably the youngest troop in the province and he vas pleased to record a gradual increase of membership as a result of the adopted policy of a slow and stead;, selection of new members of the type l .ho LicgioTi nartieularly noedoU. It n-as regretted that towards the end of the year the troop lost the companionship and comradely help of Frontiersman McAlister, who had left the district. Since the formation of the troop, monthly meetings had been regularly held with the exception of a short period, when the leader had, through an injury, been incapacitated and had been unable to convene or attend meetings. The meeting had been instrumental in disseminating general knowledge in first aid. and map reading under the tuition of Sergeant R. L. Garden. The financial position of the lroop was satisfactory with the exception that a few members’ subscriptions were still outstanding and it was hoped that these obligations would be dis charged in the near future. During the ensuing year it was anticipated that a programme of practical instruction would be carried out under the direction of squadron headquarters. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers for the ensuing year w?rc elected as follows: Troop leader. Lieutenant I?. 13. ToorG (re-elected); troop sergeant, Frontiers man G. Driver. Mr J,. Bluett. Fltham. was elected to membership.’ SOCIAL EVENING, At the conclusion of the annual meeting of the members and their wives entertained visiting frontiersmen iron, the Hawera troop, comprising Captain C N. Yickeridge, O.C’. M. Squadron ; Lieut. S. R. Veitch, Sergeant-Major I’ipu-, Q.M.-Sergt. Johns, and Frontiersman T. Whitfie'd. Tie company honoured a. short list of toasts, interspersed with song and story, and a very pleasant evening was spent. Contributors to the programme iof enLortaininent were Mrs it. L. Garden, Messrs J. M. Burns, J. Walker, G. Driver. W. Sait and Captain Yiekridge. . In proposing the toast of the Legion, Lantain paid a high compliment to the Indies generally for the resistance they gave to the cause, the definition of which, in black and white, was really a hard proposition. The aims and objects of the Legion were difficult of explanation in so many words, but the fundamental principle of the organisation was “loyalty.” This principle was .so widei.y acknowledged and practised that he had no fear of the welcome which awaited him cn his oro’ec.ted visit to England, where he was looking forward to a hearty recognition a:s a frontiersman, in fact, his regret at being unable to attend the conference of frontiersmen at Wanganui in June next was more than counterbalanced by anticipation of the rood time which awaited his visit to the other side of the world. He extended his warmest wishes of success to the youngest branch of the Legion in Taranaki. Frontiersman Belcher, on behalf of the troop, expressed, pleasure in the attendance of the ladies, his. only regret being that they were not present in greater numbers. Yates of thanks were accorded the ladies and visitors for their attendance, the entertainers and Press. Troop Leader Foord extended to' Captain Vickridge the best wishes of the troop for a. pleasant trip Home and a. sale return. ■ The singing of “Avild Lang Syne” concluded a, very enjoyable gathering.