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RETURNED SOLDIERS.

ANNUAL SOCIAL FUNCTION. SHIELD FOR COMPETITION. The annual “ at home ” function given by the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association as a mark of appreciation to those who have assisted the association’s efforts towards the alleviation of distress, was held in the club rooms on Tuesday evening. Mr A. M'Hutcbon, vice-president of the association, presided over a very large gathering of members and friends. In his opening remarks Mr M'Hutchon apologised for the absence of the president (Mr H. L. Paterson; who had been called to Wellington on urgent business. Continuing, the chairman stated that the association owed a debt of gratitude to all who had assisted in so many ways. Without that assistance, and many who had helped were not present, the association would not have been able to assist so many ex-service men as had actually been done, and the function that evening was inaugurated with a desire to show, in some small measure, the appreciation of the members of the association for the invaluable assistance rendered by the many helpers. At a suitable period during the evening the chairman, on behalf of the executive of the association, handed over to Lieutenant-colonel H. E. Barrowclough, D. 5.0.. M.C., commanding otficer of the Ist Battalion Otago Regiment, a handsome shield for sectional' competition in the regiment. The executive, said Mr M‘Hutchon, had decided to take an active interest in the Otago Regiment, and had come to the conclusion that the best way in which interest could be shown was to present a shield for competition among the various units. It was felt that every encouragement should be given to the establishment of an adequate defence force, but the presentation of the shield was not a hostile demonstration on the part of the association. Defence, not defiance, was the motto. The interest of the association in. the activities of the Otago Regiment was fostered by the fo that the men undergoing training were being encouraged in all the manly qualities which would stand them in good stead in later life. He trusted that the time would come w’hen the nations would rise above the follv of war, but until that time it was necessary to prepare for any emergency. He then handed the shield to Lieutenant-colonel Barrowclough. After thanking the executive of the Dunedin R.S.A. for the shield, Lieutenant-Colonel Barrowclough stated that, in his opinion, there w’as no more effective way of serving one’s country than in the defence force. As the chairman had said the work of the territorials was defence, not defiance, and it served to train men to become leaders in the event of another war. All officers associated with the forces realised that there was a great deal of public apathy to be contended with, and therefore the association’s gift of the shield was very encouraging. The great majority of the members of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association had served in the Otago Regiment, and he was very gratified that they should think it advisable to encourage the efforts of the men in the regiment to-day. The executive had also shown great wisdom in its decision as to the nature of the competition for the shield, for already the competition had had a wonderful effect on the regiment. The first competition had been held and the shield had been won by No. 13 Section of No. 12 Platoon, “ C ” Company. Mr E. Anderson, a past president of tne association, in presenting the shield to Corporal Ironside, the commander of the winning section, expressed regret that Mr Patterson, the president of the association, had been unable to be present. The Otago Regiment had in several theatres of the Great War established a reputation which no regular regiment of the line had bettered, and the names of those batlefields were engraved on the shield, which was also wrapped up in the traditions of the famous soldiers who had served in the regiment. He then presented the shield t< Corporal Ironside, who replied briefly, stating that he was very proud to be the first to hold it, and hoped there would be keen competition for its possession in the future.

At the conclusion of the main business of the evening, Mr R. S. Black made appreciative reference to the excellent work of the executive of the association, and wished it every success in the future. Items were given by Mr M‘Naughton (solo) and Messrs P. Anderson and Parker (duet). Supper was served later in the evening, after which a dance was held, the music being supplied by Mr Leedon’s orchestra-

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19280807.2.276

Bibliographic details

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 76

Word Count
761

RETURNED SOLDIERS. Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 76

RETURNED SOLDIERS. Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 76