MILITARY GATHERING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17112, 18 March 1919, Page 8

MILITARY GATHERING.

SIR R. WALKER'S DEPARTURE Members of the Auckland Garrison' Officers' Club met last evening to formally say farewell to Major Sir Robert Walker 0:1 the eve of his return to England. Si. Robert Walker is an Imperial officer, an .J he went to Franco in 1914 with his regiment, the Coldstream Guards, and served until shortly after the battle of Neuv.> Chappelle, 'tehee he was invalided home. Later, he came to New Zealand, and wu appointed infantry instructor at Trentbai.'. camp. Subsequently •ho was appointed general staff officer at Auckland. He he! J. that position for two years, when h.i resigned. There was. a large attendance of officers from all parts of the Auckland district, including Colonol H. R. Potto. C.M.G., officer commanding the Auckland military district. Colonel J. Stevenson,' president of (ho olub, was in the chair. He expressed hi appreciation of the work Sir Rotor'' 'Walker did while attached to the Auckland district headquarters staff. H' assured him that when he left New Zealand he would carry with him the esteem and good wishes of every officer of tin district. During the period of tho wa;* the position of general staff officer call I for special ability, sound military knowledge and fact, and, possessing these, Sit' Robert Walker had carried out his dutic 4 with entire satisfaction to everyone Colonel Stevenson ilso referred to th*» great interest, taken by Lady Walker in the territorial movement, as shown by thj fact that she had given valuable trophiea for competition among the various units. In reply, Sir Robert Walker acknowledged the support he bad received from the officers in the Auckland district. H i also thanked the officers for the support they gave to the late officer commanding tho district, Colonel G. W. S. Patterson. to whom he made feeling reference. H> said he bad never served under a moro Jenial-harted or k'ndly commanding officf." that Colonel Patterson. Referring to tho territorial 6ystem, he said that apnarentlv radical changes were pending, and lie expressed the hope that the territorial officers who had worked all through tho war vould give the new scheme their loval and strong support. The name and fam.* ew Zealand soldiers had won in the mr was one of the proofs of the success C. .erritorial military training in the Doninion.