REUNION HELD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32873, 23 June 1947, Page 4

REUNION HELD

RETURNED SERVICEMEN

ATTENDANCE OF OVER 300

PAEROA-HAURAKI FUNCTION

Saturday’s stormy weather wtw no deterrent to over 300 members of the Paeroa-Hauraki Returned Services Association and visitors from Auckland, Waihi and Thames, who attended the annual reunion of the association in the Civic Hall, Paeroa, on Saturday night. Opening the function, the president, Mr Edwin Edwards said that he was pleased to see so many present,. especially of the younger men. He extended a welcome to all, and mentioned that therfe were members from Auckland, Mou.it Albert, Waihi, Thames and the subbranches of the Paeroa-Hauraki Association. Mr Edwards stated that Major-General H. K. Kippenberger, C. 8., C.8.C., D.S.O. and bar, had sent •his regards to all the returned servicemen, especially to those of the second expeditionary force.

With Mr Edwards at the official table were Messrs W. Armour, an ex vice-president of the Auckland of the. Returned Services Association, Mr J. M. Craig, secretary of the Paeroa-Hauraki branch, and Captain M. G. Fowler, the senior officer of th i

No. 2 army area. In the “ roll call ” it was shown that by far the greatest proportion of the men present were members of the army. There were a few ex-navy and ex-air force members, and thr.e veterans of the South African War. A special welcome was given Mr R. Jutson by the president, Mr Edwards. He stated that it was the first reunion that Mr Jutson had attended for some years as he had been in hospital in ill health. Entertainment was provided throughout the evening by the Paeroa Orphans’ Club orchestra, led by Mr J. H. Bartlett. Opening the programme with “ Soldiers of the King,” it presented various selections during the function. Other items were given by soloists. Mr G. Pinnock was the first, who sang “ A Chip Off the Old Block” and “ Phil the Fluter’s Ball.” .

Other soloists were Mr J. Richards and Dr. D. Gordon and Mr R. Brenan.

The toasts of the evening began with “ The King ” which' was pro-

posed by Mr Edwards. In proposing “ Members of the J-Force,” Mr C. N. O’Neill said that there was not much seen of them in spectacular headlines, but all could .be unreservedly grateful for that. When the forces during the war caused headlines, he said, it meant sorrow and camage. The members of the J-Force were upholding the dignty and honour of this country and of Great Britain, and, Mr O’Neill said, he knew they would carry out their duties as best they could.

“ The Members of the J-Force ” -was replied to by Mr G. Masters. Other toasts drunk were “The / Silent Toast ” to the memory of fallencomrades, proposed by Mr D. Gt Sinclair, “ The South African War Veterans,” proposed by Mr V. Maloney, and replied to by Mr T. Fulton, “ Women of the Services,” proposed by Mr P. Williams, and replied to by Mr M. J. Thomas, “ The R.S.A.” proposed by Mr G. Parsons and replied to by Mr Edwards, “ The Hauraki Regiment,” proposed by Mr J. M. Craig and replied to by Mr S. J

Hedge, “ Kindred Associations,” pro posed by Mr W. Armour and replied

to by Mr G. Malcolm (Waihi).