N.A. MOUNTED RIFLES

Northern Advocate, 31 July 1934, Page 8

N.A. MOUNTED RIFLES

OFFICERS’ ANNUAL REUNION. LIEUT.-COL, TENNENT PARE- / WELLED. At the Settlers’ Hotel on .Saturday, .July 28, the officers of the North Auckland '‘Mounted Rifles hold their annual reunion. In spite of severe weather conditions, and the considerable distance many had to travel, a very good attendance resulted. This year opportunity was taken to farewell the late Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel ,K. ,P>. Tennent, M.M., who has recently relhuiuished command.' Lieutenant-Colonel and Mrs Tennent were the guests of the evening, and on this occasion the officers’ ladies also attended.

Major D. T. Wood was tlio president of the mess, and, in the unfortunate absence, through sickness, of the new commanding officer, Lieuten-ant-Colonel W. IL Lang, MX'.,. Y.D., Major IT. G. Carruth, V.D., who shortly will assume the duties of second in command of the regiment, acted for his commanding officer.

Some thirty covers wore arranged, and, after mess, the following toast list was honoured: —

“His Majesty the Xing,” proposed bv the President.

“The Regiment” was proposed by. Major A. C. M. Finlaysou, M.C., of the Retired List,who, in a. few wellchosen words, offered the toast, which was honoured with enthusiasm. Major H. G. Carruth responded, and briefly outlined the Regiment’s history.

Then followed the toast of “Lieutenant-Colonel and Mrs Tennant,” which was proposed by, _ Major 11. G. Carruth, who said how very much he and all the officers had benefited by being under such an able cofnmahding officer, and how much the Regiment was favoured by, and had progressed under, the guidance of their late C.O, lie made one complaint, and that was that LieutenantColonel Tennent and his predecessors had sot such a high standard that those who followed were going to find it hard to emulate. Ho also thanked Mrs Tennent for so ably carrying out those duties which must fall to the Jot" of a commanding officer’s wife,

On Lieutenant-Colonel Tenncnt rising to respond he was received with enthusiasm, which very well demonstrated the very high regard in which his officers held him. He thanked the officers for their loyal support during his command. He emphasised that that alone had enabled him to find his task so easy and to enjoy his term of command, and note with pleasure the good progress made by the regiment. Colonel Tenncnt took the opportunity to hand over “Old Joe,” the stick actually carried in action by a onetime commanding officer, Colonel Mackesy, which had now become almost a badge of office for the regimental commander. He also thanked the officers for the autographed group photograph and a stick* mounted with Regimental badges which had been presented to him. On behalf of Mrs Tenncnt, he thanked the officers for the engraved shell ease presented to her. Before resuming his seat, Colonel Tennent thanked- the Adjutant for his co-operation and assistance during his term of command, and asked that officer to accept from him, as a keepsake, what turned out to be a very handsome cigarette case, filled for the occasion.

Major IT. T. Atkinson then proposed the toast of “The Loyal Scols Greys, our Allied Regiment.’ '. Ho stressed the honour the Regiment had ■received in being allied to so gallant a regiment. This toast was responded to by Captain 11. -M. Foster, X.Z.S.G., the Adjutant, who briefly outlined the history of the alliance and stressed its great value, assuring those present that the Loyal Scots Greys valued it equally with the X.A. ALL. lie also took the opportunity to thank Colonel Tennent for his very kindly references lo him and thanked him for his very kind gift, and for the full measure of confidence that the colonel had placed in him. Major T). T. Wood then proposed the toast of “The Ladies,” which, on their behalf, was responded to by Captain X. C. Shepherd, This brought the toast list to a close, but before the evening ended. Captain .1. C. Layner asked permission to propose the toast of “Our Xew Commanding' Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Lang. ” This was responded, to in a. way which showed how very popular the new

C.O. is. All agreed fhat Hie reunion bad proved a great success and wen* very glad of the opportunity if gave 1 to show some appreciation of the five years’ service, as commanding officer, of Lieutenant-Colonel Tennent,