HASTINGS ROTARY CLUB

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 5 September 1927, Page 9

HASTINGS ROTARY CLUB

There are folk who would like a short reply to the question, “What is a Rotary Club?” Well, it is a movement to foster the spirit of service, of appreciative understanding of men and nations, and the promotion of friendship, individual and national. The slogan of the movement is “He profits most who serves the best.” To emphasise the variety of the service which modern civilisation requires. there is only one representative from each profession or trade eligible for membership in a dub. Preference in selection is given to men who are likely to promote the objects of the organisation. The limitation of membership increases the responsibility of Rotarians to be constant in attendance, and prevents the club from dominated by any particular trade or professional interest. The limitation promotes the understanding of the varying standpoints that such a cross section of professional and commercial life presents. A Rotarian is in duty bound to make contacts with men who render service in other ways than his way. He is liable to be fined if he seeks out a particular crony or two. and thus fails in his duty to get to know his fellow members. That desire for understanding is the reason for the luncheon talks. The movement fails to attain its objective if its members do no move than sit around to be entertained. So Rotary clubs have, built up a record for stimulating their fellow citizens to co-operate in service. The growth of Rotary is remarkable. There are dubs in forty different countries. This year’s conference was held in Ostend, to which th© thousands of visiting delegates were welcomed hy their fellow Rotarian, the King of Belgium. Hastings wa s represented in the person of Rotarian Len Harvey. He wil] have an interesting tale to tell on his return.

At last Friday’s meeting Rotarian Arthur Giorgi outlined some of his experiences m the South African M ar. He left this Dominion for the scene of conflict on the 3rd of March. 1900. joining- Remington’s Guides on his arrival. Each man in the Guides had to have a knowledge of the Dutch and Kaffir languages. Colonel Remington was a giant of a man. nearly 6ft. 3ins. in height, a cavalry leader who quickly and giaphitally taught his men to care for their mounts. As an extra five shillings was allowed to the Guides, who owned their mounts. Arthur asked the colonel to pass a small hack something like a Maori pony that he wished to buy. The colonel took bold of the steed and almost shook its teeth out. No, he wouldn’t pass such a thing. And the same day the rejected mount was passed by another officer for a trooper a stone heavier, and it duly carried him for many months. The speaker told of the difficulties encountered by the Dutch farmers and families provisioning the guerilla bands after the fall of Pretoria, which led to the destruction of farm houses and the removal of the Dutch to concentration camps.

On the motion of past-President Hallett the thanks of the members were accorded to the speaker.