BULLS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 196, 20 July 1936, Page 8

BULLS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) BULLS, July 18. The Bulls Women’s Institute held a dance and card party in the Town Ha. J this week, and the attendance was well up to the average. Music was provided by a professional orchestra, and extras by Mrs Kyles and Miss Kearney. A Monte Carlo dance was won by Miss AkUii and Mr It. Field, a lucky Gay Gordons by Miss J. Button and Mr E. Carter, andl a statue waltz by Mrs U. Hill a >ul Mr S: Richardson. In the supper room a good number played progressive euchre, tno trophies being won as follow: -Ladies prizes, Mrs 11. O. Clark 1, Mrs G. Groshi id 2; men’s, Mr Jack Bromley 1, Mr W. Lovell 2. Supper was provided. Ine function was capably run by the lac 'p 9 - Approximately 100 members andlrrttm attended the annua reunion of he Bulle Returned Soldiers’ Association, held in the Town Hall supper room on Friday night, and the gathering was a record one in every respect. Mr H. V. Bond president was ill the chair, and associated with him were Mr S. A. Harrison (secretary; of the New Zealand R.S.A.), Mr W. A. tWMI (past president)Rev. A. C. Lane (pad ). Mr O. H. Grut (lion, treasurer), and Messrs J. E. Walker (chairman) and J. 11. Pcrrctt (trustee), of .the BuUs-Ohakea-Sanson and Lower Rangittkei latriotic; uo cielv. Representatives of branches in Matton Hunterville, Ilalcombe, Foxton, I ending’ and Ron got ca were present as well as many visitors from other parts Apologies for absence were received Lm/ 1 Colonel C. G. Powles, Captain J. G. Mitchell, and Mosers James Bull, J. Lmklatcr, R- D. McKelvie, B. J. Jacobs, Collier M. D. Anderson, H. Fagan, L. \\cod, T Hay, W. Aiken, S. Rich and others. Ml- Bond, in proposing the loyal toast, made feeling reference to the peril which Hi‘- Majesty had gone through, as reported that day, and said that it was with a deep sense of gratification that all learned that their King has escaped injury. Padre Lane was entrusted with the toast of Absent Comrades” and expressed regret at the absence of Mr 8. Rich the lion, secretary, who was in hospital, but who, ho knew was with them in spirit that evening- Mr W. A. Churchill sang ‘ Requiem, all standing as a mark of respect for those who had “gone before.” Mr Churchill, m dealing with the toast of N.Z.R.b.A. Headquarters” referred to the growth of the association, the membership now being liearlv 30,000. It was an honour, ho said, to have with them Mr Harrison, secretary of the association, who had proved hhn*clf a good friend to all returned men. Mr Harrison, in reply, expressed ptcasuro at being invited to attend the gathering, and to hear headquarters so well spoken of. Sixty-five of 85 associations had been represented at the recent 20tli conference, and the association was never more solid than at present. He referred to a proposcd pilgrimage to the battclficlds of uallipoli and France, and to representation at t.hc forthcoming Coronation of the King. New Zealand needed a bigger population, he said, and schemes like the Flock House scheme should be supported. Men of the mercantile marine, he considered, shou t be brought into the association, and should share its benefits. The Anzac stamp campaign had been a record success, stamps to the value of £17,181 having boon disposed of. He paid tributes to the work of various branches, and the generous response made by the general public. Mr Harrison deals fully with pensions, and advised possible applicants to place their position fully before the executive, where they would receive fullest attention. Mr 'Vines, in toasting “The Army, Navy and Kindred Setvice;,” stressed the dependence of one section on the others, and said that all had to stick together, for unity was strength. Mr Brookes replied on behalf of the Australian Forces, Mr Trcnkcr for the South African veterans, and Mr A. M. Cooke for the Navy. Mr H. H. C. Holland proposed “Those Who Kept the Home Fires Burning,” eulogising the Patriotic Society for 1 heir wonderful work, and the womenfolk who had made great sacrifices while the men wore away at the Great Wat. Mr J. E. Walker, chairman of the Patriotic Society, detailed the work done for returned men, and Mr J. H. Pcrrctt supplemented his remarks, adding that no returned soldier was' turned down, though the funds were dwindling now. Mr J?errett considered that war service shortened a soldier’s life, anfl that ho was entitled to a pension at 55 years. He regretted that Mr James Bull had been unable to attend. Mr Bull had been one of most active workers for the Patriotic Society, working the northern end of Rangitikei iusr as Mr J. F. McKelvie bad done In lower Rangitikei. ’ In the Town Hall at Bulls the speaker had scon a flag sold throe times at £SOO a bid, and Rangitikei bad raised more for the soldiers than many placeii of greater population. In conclusion, he congratulated members on having such a live, hard-working president as Mr Bond,- and urged them to stick together so that the association would prosper. "The Visitors” were toasted by Mr Bond, Mr S. A. Harrison being associated with the toast. It was a pleasure to meet the secretary of the Dominion executive, he said, and to know the man, Mr Harrison being one who would cheerfully assist all in need. He thanked members of neighbouring branches for attending, and the various performers for helping to brighten the' reunion. Mr Harrison, Mr D. Warner (Halcombe), and Mr M. C. Fcuwickc (Marton) returned thanks. The toast of “The Press” followed. The roll-call was responded to by members of all branches of the service, and a hot supper served. Mr Geo. Richardson, as song leader, was in good form, and Messrs C. H. Edwards and §. A. Harrison presided at the piano. Mr F. Prentice supplied music on his aceordeon, and Mr W. A. Sutherland played the bagpipes. Others who contributed to the programme were Messrs A. J. Petrie, J. McDonald. T. Sims, A. Brookes, L. Huddleston, and S. Harrison.