FAREWELL FUNCTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 228, 25 August 1938, Page 4

FAREWELL FUNCTION.

DR AND MRS F. CAMERON HONOURED. Dr. F. Cameron and Mrs Cameron were farewelled last evening bv members of the Feilding R.S.A., there being an excellent attendance. A number of apologies for absence were read, and it is estimated that almost 100 exsoldiers assembled to do honour to the guests. Mr Bruce McLeod presided and at the main table with him were Mrs McLeod and Dr. and Mrs Cameron. The chairman said it gave him much pleasure to see so many present to do honour to Dr. and Mrs Cameron. Between the speeches which followed items were given by Messrs C. A. Stanley, 0. Jackson. J. McDonald, W. M. Kendall, T. Donaldson, C. V. Guy and W. Sandilands. Mr A. E. Palmer presided at the piano, and Mr C. H. Tate acted as M.C, Supper was served by the mess orderlies and it was after 10.30 p.m. when the function wa6 brought to a close. Mr McLeod said that after a long period of years Dr. Cameron’s decision to leave Feilding was a severe blow. Dr. and. Mrs Cameron had done much for the R.S.A. in Feilding. “And,” continued Mr McLeod, “I would remind you that in 1522 the doctor took office as president with 23 financial members and he held office for 10 years. The subscription at the time was 10s; to-day we have 180 financial members and, to my mind, it is due to the early work of Dr. Cameron in regard to the branch’s activities. Those were difficult days and the doctor recognised that the ex-soldiers must be kept together, and he worked towards that objective.” Dr. Cameron had left for the War with the First Reinforcements in the troopship Waimana. Referring to Mrs, Cameron, Mr McLeod said that all knew what fine work he had done. (Applause.) On Anzac Day Mrs Cameron and her committee had worked up a wonderful luncheon for the “Diggers,” while on Armistice night supper was provided annually by the ladies’ committee, under Mrs Cameron’s direction, and both activities were thoroughly enjoyed. “We are going to miss them very much, but we all know that our friends in the South Island are to benefit by our loss,” concluded Mr McLeod. Mr L. Miller, a past secretary, said he had worked with Dr and Mrs Cameron for many years, and it had given him much pleasure to do so. In 1927, lie had been annointed secretary and ! o felt, from his knowledge of their work, that iJr and Airs Cameron would be greatly missed. Referring to the membership of the Feilding branch in 1927, Mr Miller said that there were five members, and the subscriptions amounted to £2 10s, and had it not been for the doctor’s efforts it was probable that to-day there would not have been a branch. “I would like to pay a tribute to the wonderful way the doctor, who was a very busy man, bad always been available to pull bis weight and to do his full share of the work in connection with the R.S.A. organisation in Feilding,” said Mr Miller. Regarding Mrs Cameron, Air Miller had full knowledge of her energetic efforts in connection with the Anzac Day luncheon. He wished Dr and Airs Cameron every success in Christchurch. DISTRICT GREETINGS. Air C. M. Stanley, on behalf of the Apiti ‘R.S.A., voiced appreciation of the work of the Feilding executive towards forming a branch at Apiti. In that connection Dr. and Airs Cameron had been partly instrumental in the formation of the Apiti link. On behalf of Apiti „members, Mr Stanley wished the guests many happy years in their new sphere. (Applause.; Mr N. Cowdrey, on behalf of the Halcombe sub-branch, conveyed good

wishes. The speaker had gone away to the Great War under Dr. Cameron’s care, and was fully conversant with his services. Air V. J. Stichbury made reference to the AVaimana Cup golf competition, on Saturday next, and said that members eligible for the match hoped to meet, the doctor on Saturday afternoon. Mr C. V. Jewell, secretary of the Feilding R.S.A., also spoke concern ing his contact with the guests in his capacity as secretary, and stated that there had been a ready response when arrangements were made for the function. Mr A. G. Alurch, adding his tribute, said there was no doubt that Dr. Cameron “did his job” during the Great War and since he had been in residence in Feilding. He, person ally, regretted his and Mrs Cameron’s departure. Dr. Cameron had shown a quiet sympathy and interest in all “Diggers,” irrespective of their station in life. PRESENTATIONS MADE. Before making presentations to the guests, the president said that Archdeacon Petrie, who was to have been present, had been unable to keep the appointment and he apologised for his ibs6nc6. On behalf of members of the Feilding R.S.A., Mr McLeod said that they could not allow Dr and Mrs Cameron to depart without some souvenir to remind them of the esteem and goodwill in which'they were held. -He handed Dr Cameron a handsome wallet enclosed in which was a substantial cheque. To Airs Cameron, Air McLeod handed a silver case. On rising to reply Dr Cameron was greeted with enthusiastic applause. “When Airs Cameron and I arrived here to-night we were overwhelmed by the large number of ‘Diggers’ who have turned up,” said Dr Cameron, who added that he saw many faces of “Diggers” who had come long distances to be present. As a medical officer ho had got to know the men and had learned to love them with a love that would endure as long as he lived. Regarding Anzac Day, Dr Cameron had been pleased to note the steady rise in the attendances at the services and luncheon. It could not be expected that the general public would appreciate Anzac Dhy as the soldiers did. Feeling reference to the dawn parade in Sydney was made by the speaker. Ho trusted the association would continue to work in the interests of maintaining peace, hut if the need arose he-felt sure that they would be ready. Dr Cameron expressed appreciation of the work of the Halcombe and Apiti branches, and said he had been amazed at the wonderful growth made by them. He referred fo Archdeacon. Petrie, mentioning bis keen interest in the R.S.A. and, in particular, in regard to the Anzac Day services. Concluding his remarks Dr -Cameron said he wished to thank old members of the executive for their valuable assistance, and all connected with the branch. His own activities had been made possible only with the wonderful assistance of Airs Cameron. Air AlcLeod expressed the hope that Dr and Mrs Cameron would he able to arrange to revisit Feilding annually for the Anzac Day celebrations. MRS CAMERON’S THANKS.

Airs Cameron also returned thanks for the remarks made by the various speakers, and for the wonderful attendance of members. The little she had done for the R.S.A. had been a joy to her, and she had always looked forward to arranging the annual Anzac Day luncheon. As a trained nurse she had been amongst the men in the Great War, and had found them cheery in spite of their sufferings. She recalled instances of the fortitude and bravery of some of the wounded men nursed by her, and con-

eluded by assuring those present that her husband and herself would make every effort ]to return to Feilding for the Anzac Day sendees.