SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS FOREGATHER.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 August 1931, Page 6

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS FOREGATHER.

HEARTY REUNION HELD BY DISTRICT BRANCH.

Probably 'the most 'successful reunion vet' held by the Horowhcnua branch'of the South African Veterans’ Association was that which took place on Saturday evening. The attendance filled the Oxford Tea-rooms, and eontingenters were present from a district extending from Tokomaru to Parapaiauinu, The branch president, Mr E, Hogg,, vias in the chair, and from start to, finish the proceedings went with a swing. The annual roll-call was made, and 39 answered it, among whom were troopers from the Ist Contingent onwards, naval men, and members of the Imperial and South African home forces, all of whom had seen service in the Boer War. Messages apologising for unavoidable absence and conveying greetings to old comrades and wishes for a successful function were received from Messrs J. Linklater and W. H. •Field, M.’sP., Major A. de Brandon (Wellington), the president (Captain J. J. Clark) and secretary (Mr J. H. E. Tilling) of the New Zealand Association, Messrs J. Goldsmith (Wellington), M. Spencer and J. B. Bateman. A beautiful silk flag, that of the Union of South Africa, had been presented to the branch by Mr Spencer, and occupied a prominent position in the room.

After the toast of “The King” had jjceu honoured, the chairman spoke _of the loss sustained by the Association in the death of Mr Robert Tubman, of Levin, whom he referred to as a comrade who had served both in the South African War and the Great War —one who had been a good citizen and loved bv all who knew him.

* The assemblage then stood in silence for a few moments as a tribute to ‘ ‘ Absent Comrades. ’ ’

The health of “The Visitors” was drunk, after which that of “The R.S.A.’’ was proposed by Air F. E. Parker. Speaking as one of the South African veterans, he said that they envied the men from the late War their association and the grand comradeship cemented by it. That organisation must be looked on as the leading association in New Zealand for men who had been on active service. Some veterans had been to both wars, and their record was one for admiration by those with lesser service. The finest result that remained, to the ex-soldiers from their experiences overseas was the comradeship which enabled them to meet one another aud shake hands as old comrades. He trusted that the Levin branch of the E.S.A. would grow and prosper. The toast was responded to by Major G. D. Hamilton, president of the Levin R.S.A., and Mr H. G. Maekay, secretary. Major Hamilton pointed out that the R.'S.A. was not a close corporation. Every one of the South African veterans was entitled to full membership, and the Association would take up any case of a South African veteran requiring assistance now that he was getting up in years. At the Dominion Conference of 15 'months ago it had appeared as though there was a chance of launching certain reforms on their behalf, but these had been delayed by the slump which had since occurred. Nevertheless the Association would probably obtain a good many improvements from the next Government that came into power. The conditions of military training in New Zealand had reverted to the old voluntary system, and he would like to see every South African veteran and returned soldier do everything in their power to induce ypung men to join up. He was one of those who believed that one volunteer was worth twelve pressed men. Most of the veterans had families growing up, and he hoped that the boys would follow in their fathers’ footsteps. Air Alackay said that any iMii who had served the Empire in any war overseas could join tile R.S.A. Quite A'number of men who had served in South Africa were in the late War and WCrc very useful there because they knew the run of the ropes. Referring to the special work of the R.S.A. in taking up the case of incapacitated men, Mr Maekay said that the R.S.A. met with a fair measure of success.

1 In proposing “The Volunteer Movement,” the Mayor (Mr C. Blenkhorn) said that if anyone had had a grievance against the Government it was when they heard that the fine defence system that had been built up was pulled to pieces; and he and all old soldiers were very glad that the country was now returning to the old volunteer movement. He felt sure that the veterans would be behind the movement and see that the strength was kept up. The lads would have « Very good time and would come oXi't of the camps better 'and brighter men. Responding to the toast, Mr Martin 81 me ox said that the volunteer movement might receive a compulsory trend

from the veterans who had sons old <eh'obgh to join. The speaker referred ■to the significance of the volunteer system at the time that the Boer War broke out, nearly all the members of the contingents being drawn from that force. Volunteering had been enjoyable for those who had entered into it, and he thought much of the same spirit had lived on into the Territorial system. During the course of the evening, the Mayor spoke on the value of comradeship and gave some instances of it

that had occurred when .he visited the

South Island, on a holiday tour and renewed old ties formed in the contingenting days. • . ■Several of the members present-con-tributed reminiscences,- among ; the speakers being Mr F. J. W, Stallard, who .received his training, in-the .Royal Horse Artillery, and served in . India, the South African Campaign and the Great War, in which last he attained to the command of a New Zealand battery; also Mr W. Bryant, of Levin, who was in the Royal Marines in the Old days of the ’ broadside battleships, and who saw service in the Zulu Wars; and Mr W. S, Jamieson, of Shannon, an ex-Naval man.

Further toasts honoured were:— “The Concert Party,” proposed by Mr G. Thompson and acknowledged by Mr T. G. Vincent; “Shannon Veterans,” the Chairman —Mr Blackwood; “Otaki Veterans,” the Chairman —Mr M. Sim-

cox'; “The .South African Veterans’-As-sociation,” Major Hamilton—Mr Hogg; “Paraparaumn Veterans,” the Chairman —Mr Cluny; “The Stewards and Committee,” Mr Parker; and “The Press,” the Chairman —“Chronicle” representative. The Chairman, in responding to the toast of the Association, said he had a good committee and they 1 tried to carry out everything to the letter. ' They Jrad a good secretary also, in Mr A. H. Maclean, The musical.'programme, which was much appreciated, consisted of the following items:—-Songs, “The Sergeant Major’s on .Parade,” “Long Live the icing,.” and “Leader of the Town Brass Band,” 'Mr A. J. W. Hodder; “Let Me Like a Soldier Fall,” Mr .A. Mottershead; ‘ ‘ Nancy Lee ’ ’ and ‘ ‘ Sally Horner,” Mr H, Denton; “The Deathless Army,”' Mr' T. G. Vincent. Duet “ The Battle ilve,” Messrs Hodder and’ Mottershead. Quartettes— ‘ ‘Comrades in Arms” And “spys of the Old,Bri- ’" Messrs Mottershead, Hodder. Denton an,d..Vincent. A number of.O*u campaign songs were sung by tHc; gath-; ering, .with muchheartiness.' * Mr gx Sorensen wasp the pianist for the ‘evel(f--'ing. . r< v