Returned Soldiers Foregather

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 172, 24 July 1939, Page 2

Returned Soldiers Foregather

PAHIATUA ANNUAL REUNION DINNER HELD Over a hundred ex-soldiers and visitors were present at the annual reunion of the Pahiatua branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association held in the Foresters’ Hall on Saturday evening last. Mr. M. Lawson, president, opened the evening by proposing the loyal toast. He also expressed pleasure at seeing so many present at the function and hoped everyone would have a good time. He also spoke of the visit of the Australian comrades who would be coming across during the Centennial celebrations. “For that visit, headquarters had levied 2s a member for the entertainment of the contingent. Wairarapa had already raised £7OO, which is a great effort,” stated Mr. Lawson. The membership of the Pahiatua branch stood at 130, said Mr. Lawson. He thought it should be 200 and he urged euch member to bring at least one along to join up. Members could be justly proud of their association, which had done so much. It was non-political and non-sectarian, and had a membership of 35,000. There were 92,000 exsoldiers in New Zealand, 70,000 being New Zealanders and 20,000 other members of the British Empire. They all should make an extra effort to swell the membership. Mr. Lawson then welcomed Mr. A. K. Greaves, of Palmerston North, who was one of the hardest workers to further R.S.A. interests, stated the president. Mr. Greaves then screened scenes from the late war, which brought back memories to many. The screening was very much appreciated by all. Mr. Hutchison, accompanied by Mr. R. Boagey, rendered two songs which were well received by the audience. The following was thfc toast list: — 4 ‘Absent Comrades,” the company standing in silence while “Requiem” was sung by Mr. J. W. Greaves; “Local Bodies, War Relief Association and Kindred Associations,” proposed by Mr. Moss Moriarty and responded to by the Mayor, Mr. b. K. Siddells. Mr. Siddells stated that when he was in Wellington recently he inquired about territorial training for Pahiatua. He was informed that Napier, Dannevirke and Masterton were provided for, while Woodville and Eketahuna were granted a troop. There had been no provision made for Pahiatua. Community singing of old wartime favourites, led by Mr. J. W. Greaves, was then enjoyed by those present. The toast to the visitors and South African War veterans was proposed by Mr. R. Boagey and responded to by Mr. L. T. Herbert (South African War veteran), Mr. Gordon Wicks (Woodville Association), Mr. Golder (Eketahuna branch) and Mr. Frank Casey (president of the Dannevirke branch). Mr. A. W. Bisset, proposing the toast of the Pahiatua Returned Soldiers’ Association and the New Zealand Association, stvted that the Pahiatua branch had 14J acres of park reserve (Walton Park) and in which were lilanted 12,000 trees, which was a credit and an asset to the local association. Mr. Morton Lawson responded. The final toast of the evening was proposed by Mr. Gordon Smith and it

was to the executive. Mr. Lawson, in responding, also thanked the mess orderlies for their untiring attention during the function and also for the preparation. During the evening Messrs N. Rawson and Gordon Wicks entertained in their usual humorous manned. Music was supplied by Mr. Russ Merrie.