R.S.A. PRESIDENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 146, 5 June 1936, Page 4

R.S.A. PRESIDENT

Mr. Priest Congratulated TRIBUTE TO PREDECESSOR Congratulations to the new president of the Hastings U.S.A., Mr. P. J. Priest, and regret at the illness that has made it necessary for Colonel Holderness to retire after having filled the presidency for the past twelve years, were expressed in a toast proposed by Mr. P J. S. George, vicepresident, at the quarterly reunion of the association last evening. Mr. George began by speaking of the popularity of the late president, and of the devoted services that he had rendered to returned soldiers both inside and outside the association. Every member would regret, he said, the cir. cuinstances that had made it necessary for the colonel to retire.

Referring to the new president, Mr. George said he was sure that every member of the association would give Mr. Priest wholehearted support. One man oould not run the association; it needed the co-operation of everyone in it. Mr. Priest deserved aupport, and there could be no doubt at all that he would be given it. Speaking in reply, Mr. Priest said it was the co-operation of the members that really mattered. He realised when he was elected tljat he would have s hard row to hoe, especially in following so fine a president as Colonel Holderness had been. The colonel had been a really great president, and the speaker did not expect to be able to keep up to his standard. However, with the assistance ot his comrades, he would do hie best.

"1 hope,” added Mr. Priest, “that what I do will be acceptable to tho association and to returned men generally. It is necessary for us all to pull together, or otherwise we shall be helpless. I hope that this year will ba better and more prosperous for us all than the past.”