A FAREWELL

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1940, Page 2

A FAREWELL

TO 2nd ECHELON,MEN.

BY RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSN.

There was a crowded and enthusiastic attendance at the Soldiers’ Han last night when the Hokitika Returned Soldiers’ Association entertained the members of the Second Echelon at a ;,moke concert. The proceedings throughout were bright and enjoyable, die gathering, proving a very happy one.;

.The chair occupied by the President of' the’R.S.A. (Mr R. G. Millenj. the Deputy .Mayor. (Mr. A.,. R.. .Elepck) md County Chairman (Mr ,J. A. Murdoch) being among those present.

: During the evening there was some community singing led by Mr Copp, while • songs were rendered by Messrs Grenfell, Perry, Beddington, Daly, Spiers, Dr. Childs and others, and Mi Murdoch gave a recitation. Messrs Copp and Foster supplying the accompaniments.

The President in opening the pro •eedjngs proposed the first toast “Tin King.” Mr Milieu ’ then proceeded to ■xtend a welcome to the Deputy Mayoi Mr A. R. Elcock), their. Patron (Mi l). .J. Evans) and other visitors and specially to extend a very sincere and heart3 r welcome to the members of the Second Echelon. The way they have pined up had won the greatest admiration of the older members of the R.S.A. We are particularly interested n these men of the new army for it vas to them that they had to look tc. as. the future members of the Associaioii and' lie hoped they would all join t when they came back. There would be much to do for the old, ones, and also for some of the new ones who nay need attention. ’ The Government have pledged their word to do their utmost for the welfare for our soldiers when they return and we of the Association are also pledged to do our best. He hoped all would return and join up with the R.S.A. It was further inters.ting to know that it is expected the second will follow the first echelon into Egypt. Personally his recollections of hjgypt are very pleasant ones. He had found it a very fascinating country. He : then proceeded to give some advice to the men shortly going arid wished them all Godspeed. “The New Army,” proposed by Mr R„ J. Appleton, who expressed his apare.ciation of the privilege of doing so, is a citizen of New Zealand. The men had a huge job before them and the whole of the people would carefully watch their work. They had every confidence in them and felt sure that they would fully uphold the high record of former soldiers. He wished them the best.of luck; Godspeed arid a safe return. •Lieut. Ferguson replied, appreciating the remarks of the proposer. The present army was particularly fortunate in some ways and unfortunate in others. They were better cared for than the men of 1914-18 but they recognised that they had a stiff job to uphold the high standard set. He felt however that the new army would prove themselves as good as the ones sent overseas before. ’

Sergt. Chandler also replied, stating they would try to keep up the fine standard set by the “Old Diggers” and assuring those present that those lie was associated with were a fine body ot men. Mr J. A. Murdoch (County Chairman) said he was glad to be present to honour the men of the new army. New Zealand will remember with gratitude what had been done and what was going to be done. He urged members to join lip with the R.S.A. If it were strong enough they would have a mighty big say in the Parliament of this country. The soldiers had a direct right to representation, the right of the people who had saved the Empire to ciaim the right to have a say iu tin country they had saved. Mr D. J. Evans proposed the toast of - “Old Diggers”. They were deeply indebted to the performance put up in-the last war. They had carried their name in undying fame. They had done remarkably well and came back with honours thick upon them. The young Army will soon be jumping off from the same place. Just as the people ol this district were behind the old army, the- new army will find equal support. Already the provincial fund was over £800 ; and he hoped in a month it would reach £IOOO. They hud sent away 1 large amount of goods for the I* irst Echelon, little parcels of remembrance hat lie hoped would lie fully appreciated by the recipients. He commended the patriotic fund the community generally, and though there was some ove'rlapipng at present that would be jvoreome in the' ftitifrck ' -He hoped the men of the new army would keep in touch with local -patriotic -movements and advise of ally little requirements which would receive prompt attention. The R.S.A. have a fine building which was a great asset to the town, which Was indebted to the way they have carried on over the years.

Mr Birss (Kumara), replied briefly, assuring them that he did not think there was one of the old army who not like to lie able to take part again with their younger comrades. Tim:, Chairman proposed the toast of Mr Frank Foster, a meinbe r of the executive who had been transferred from Hokitika.

Mi- Foster replied expressing; regrot at his coming departure and trihuting the Avork of the P.S.A., specially mentioning the President and the hard working secretary (Mr T?. Paterson). Mr Paterson proposed the toast of

Mr J. Bain, an original member of the Executive of the Hokitika R.S.A. Mr Bain replying suitably and expressing the hope to serve again, if his services were required.

Dr. Childs proposed the toast of Rev. D. D. Thorpe, recently appointed padre “or the 3rd Echelon.

Rev. 1). D. Thorpe replying said lie had offered his services at the outbreak if war, and now had been accepted. Ho had a word or two to say about the weather, but felt that if they did not have plenty of rain then they would not have their glorious West Coast scenery. V tribute was paid to the women folk who were tlnV ones that felt the strain of war as riVvich or more, than‘the men. Mr-Thorpe cVrihcliklikl by expressing the hope that lie would meet tlm men assembled there' oll ’his' arrival in ,Egypt,

Proceedings then closed with the singng of Auld Lang Sync and the Natonal Anthem.