EX-SERVICEMENS’ REUNION

Matamata Record, Volume XVI, Issue 1446, 31 July 1933, Page 5

EX-SERVICEMENS’ REUNION

PUTARURU CELEBRATION

First Effort of New Branch The first annual reunion under the auspices of the recently-formed Putaruru branch of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association was held in the Putaruru Town Hall on Thursday. About 80 ex-servicemen were present, and Mr. H. L. Martin presided. The evening was a joyous one throughout and a credit to the organisers. The hall had been very tastefully decorated with green and white streamers by the Putaruru branch of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, and the Putaruru Brass Band, directed by Mr. A. Brown, rendered the | following selections: “ Australia For Ever,” “ Scotia,” “ Postrrfan’s Paradise,” “ Stein Song,” “ Great Little

Army,” “ Coloney Bogey,” and the well-known regimental march, “ Invercargill.”

The Roll Call.

The roll call revealed that there were representatives present from varied branches of the forces, including the Imperial forces and even an ex-member of the French Foreign Legion. A Naval Challenge.

In replying to the toast of the Navy, Mr. H. R. Young mentioned that during the war he had served on a ship which mined the Elbe and the Weser. On one occasion a torpedo had snapped in a firing tube and three men had volunteered for the operation of removing the obstruction. He had been one of the three, and on lota being drawn the task had fallen to him and had been carried out successfully. Later at Heligoland the ship he was attached to had circled near the harbour blowing its siren and daring the Germans to come out. They had not done so, however. Work of thle Air Force. In commenting On the Royal Air Force, Mr. Owen Jones paid a tribute to the designers, the manufacturers and the mechanics of 'the aircraft. Most people were inclined to think only of the pilots, and to give then, all the credit, but without the wonderful work done by designers and manufacturers the pilots could not have carried on.

Mr. J. D. A. Painton, secretary of the Rotorua R.S.A., also spoke and mentioned that he thought he was the only foundation member of the Rotorua branch still in harness.

Apologies were received from Major Dansey (Rotorua) and the Rev. A. C. Hampton and Mr. G. G. Bell (Matamata).

The Toast List.

Mr. P. Morrison acted as toastmaster and the toast list was as follows: —The King; “ Fallen Comrades,” Mr. Owen Jones; “ The R.5.A.,” Mr. J. D. A. Painton (Rotorua)—Mr. R. W. Cook; “Army,

Navy and Air Force,” Mr. J. Fisher —Mr. Owen Jones, Mr. G. G. Griffiths and Mr. H. R. Young; “ Kindred Associations,” Mr. H. Martin; “The Aussies,” Mr. N. L. Higginson—Mr. Owen Jones; “ The Veterans,” Mr. G. G. Griffiths (Matamata) —Colonel E. G. Fraser (Rotorua); “The Visitors,” Mr. Lyons; “ Absent Comrades,” Mr. N. S. Griffiths (Matamata) —Mr. H. Lindsay.

Entertainment Programme.

During the evening much appreciated items were given by Mr. A. Halliday (Arapuni), Mr. E. Clair, Mr. R. W. Cook, Mr. H. Walls and Mr. C. Walton.

Mr. R. W. Cook, secretary of the branch, acted as pianist, and as M.C. was largely responsible for the smoothness with which the programme was carried out.