THE SOLDIERS’ FRIEND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19201, 18 June 1924, Page 2

THE SOLDIERS’ FRIEND.

PRESENTATION TO MISS ADA REEVE. There was a large gathering of members of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association at the club rooms yesterday morning to renew acquaintance with Miss Ada Reeve (principal “boy” in the J. C. Williamson pantomime “Aladdin”), who did so much to assist in swelling the funds for tho erection of the club on the occasion of her last visit seven years ago. Mr J. M Crae (president), on behalf of the Dunedin R.S.A.), extended to Miss Reeve a hearty welcome to their city, and stated that they were pleased to have her among them again. They remembered with gratitude her last visit: they were grateful for the work she had done in London, and her splendid efforts on behalf of the club ’n Dunedin would always be remembered. He hoped her tour would be a pleasant and profitable one. “The weather is not always as cold as this.” said Mr M'Crae, “but I hope the warmth of your reception by the people of Dunedin will compensate you.” Continuing, he said the members of the club could not let the occasion of her visit pass without some tangible expression of their appreciation, and he asked her to accept a silver inkstand and calendar, mounted on New Zealand marble, with the following inscription:—“To Miss Ada Reeve from the returned soldiers of Dunedin, in grateful acknowledgment.” He asked Miss Reeve to remember her friends in Dunedin whenever she used the stand, and wished her every success and happiness. Mr G. H. Walker (as chairman of tho Building Committee), thanked Miss Reevo for her splendid efforts in the campaign to raise funds for the erection of the club, they looked upon Miss Reevo as a “portion” of Ihe building, and a good deal of tho brick and mortar was procured onlv through her efforts. They in Dunedin were indebted to the theatrical profession in many ways, and he was sure the people of the city deeply appreciated all that had been done. The club was one of which to bo proud, and this was the first opportunity they had had of thanking Miss Reeve m person, and they did so now- wholeheartedly. On behalf of the Building Committee he asked her to accept a silver cigarette case. Mr R. S. Black, a life member of the club, also expressed the thanks of the club for what Miss Reevo had done, and said fhat as he could not say sweet things he would ask her acceptance of a box ol chocolates. Miss Reeve feelingly responded, and said it was not often she was nonplussed, hut on this occasion their kindness had overwhelmed her. She had been asked to visit tho club and go round the building, and had not been prepared for what had taken place. It was seven years since she had been in Dunedin, and she had not forgotten all the flattering things they had said about her. They had taken her by surprise, and the little she had done was not deserving of all the kind things they had said. There was one 'hing everyone had evidently forgotten, and that was her gold badge, presented to her on her last visit when she was made a member of the club. She treasured that badge above all things, and she was proud of it. Had not the people of Dunedin responded so magnificently to her appeals, her efforts would have been futile. She deeply appreciated their gifts, and she would go away warm with the thought that they had treated her so well. In conclusion. Miss Reevo expressed tho hope that the members would continue to make use of the club; to stick together in peace as they had done in war. Unless they did this they could not keep the club going. _ . . The function closed with the singing of “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” after which Miss Reeve was escorted over the building.