LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15567, 26 March 1914, Page 10

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN.

"I ah not good at expressing my feelings at having the honour of wearing the earmark of the Legion," writes a new member. " J'm a bushman, and was up against it for two years in South Africa, and whether in peace or war I'll, always wear the badge with pride." These few words, all the same, express a whole chapter, and the moral they carry for all squadrons and all organisers is to see that only well qualified men are admitted, for the Legion badge is a badge of honour.

Members of Auckland City Squadron recently celebrated the wedding of their leader, Captain Forbes Eadie, who was married to Miss Miller, of Tauranga. Amongst the toasts were: "The bride and bridegroom," " -1 he bride's parents," "the Legion," and the host and hoßtoss " (Quartermaster and Mrs. Bridgman), and a very jolly evening was spent.

. With the establishment of a troop at Hastings, Hawke's Bay will have two definite organisations, the Wairoa (H. 8.) Squadron providing for the northern end of the province.

A badge, addressed to Frontiersman Fred. M. Harvey, at Kotorua, has been returned unclaimed.

A member in one of the bush districts writes: ;' All the men here wanted to know about the Legion, and several are eager to join. Three others wanted to know what they would get out of it, and they shied at the idea of providing their own gear." It is the custom of frontiersmen to provide their own tools and be indebted to no one, and the man who wants to know what he " will get out of it " either doesn't understand the A.B.C. of the Legion, or else he is not a frontiersman. The Legion, after all, is simply the consolidation of the freemasonry of the frontier. The freemasonry is there, all the time, and many years before the Legion was thought of the need of an organisation of the vast world wide brotherhood was recognised. In other words, the Legoin is a military Masonic Lodge, open only to men who come together in the comradeship of those who have shared oomraon dangers in the wild places of the earth.

Prom April 4 to April 14 an important Legion camp will be held by the Poverty Bay Squadron at Kaharoa, Waimata Vallex, the first important Legion camp to be beta in Australasia. Captain F. M. Twistleton, on behalf of the squadron, has sent an invitation to General Godley and other leading officers of the Defence Forces to visit and inspect the camp, and, judging from the success that attended the Christmas camp of the squadron, there should be a big muster of Poverty Bay members and some good work done.

On Friday last a meeting was held in the Pacific Hotel, Hastings, of members of the Legion and those who have applied for membership, Frontiersman W. J. Connor presiding. A working committee of those present waß formed, and Frontiersman T. P. Short was elected honorary secretary. The gazetted members were asked to apply for authority to form a sub-unit with headquarters at Hastings. Mr. Clime offered the sub-unit the use of a meeting room at his office for four year? free of charge, and the offer wag accepted, und a vote of thanks passed.

The Waikato Squadron held its first annual meeting at Hamilton on Saturday evening. Captain J. McGregor presiding. It was decided to hold two half-day parades per annum, and to form a signalling division immediately. Rifle matches were arranged, the Frontiersmen's Shield match against Ngaruawahia on April 18, Morrinsvilla match on Easter Saturday, and Cambridge match on Easter Monday. It was reported that applications from candidates for membership were being received daily. The squadron decided to build a shed at the Hamilton defence range for the protection of the targets, the permission of Captain King, of the Defence Staff, having been obtained. Owing to previous arrangements it was decided the squadron could not take part in the Auckland City Squadron's proposed trek at Easter. Captain John McGregor was re-elected to that position. Other elections were Lieut., A. Bruce; quartermaster-sergeant, R. A. Andrews: sergeant-major, O. C. Missen; sergeant, F. Hawk*; corporals, E.'Tisch and J. Stewart;- secretary- and treasurer, B, A., Aodyowfc