RUATORIA REUNION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19070, 18 July 1936, Page 3

RUATORIA REUNION

OUTSTANDJNC SUCCESS SOI.IDAIMTV REAFFIRMED CIVII. lAN GUESTS' ADVJCB i The mi.-cesses of reunions held in past voars li.v ilie Ruatoria Returned Soldiers' Association were eclipsed last evening', when ihe 1030 "inhering was auended l»y over (in "Diners" and :i number (if ex-service and civilian guests. The programme loolc a form similar to that of last year, the gathering en lencing with a dinner ni ilie Manuinhi Hotel, and then adjourning 10 the Gaiety Hal! L't.»r an evening of speech-making, song, and story, the proceedings lasting until the early hours of the morning. Excelling their efforts o\' other years, Mr. ami Mrs. P. Burton and t lie staff of the hotel had prepared a sumptuous dinner fur the occasion, and received the grateful acknowledgment of ihe "Diggers" for the interest they had shown. h was remarked, in the course of ihe reunion, thai without ihe aid uf Mr. and Mrs. Burton, I lie annual gatherings could never have assumed their importance to the ex-service men of the district, and the suh-associat ion itself would he less closely knit. lii attendant were several guests, from Gisborne, including Colouel It. E\j Gnmbrill, president of the district association. Major A. S. Muir. vicepresident, and Mr. W, Oakden, secre- : tavy; Captain .1. G. Nolan, and Mr. 1). .1. ' |;arry. Oilier griests included Messrs. .1. .!. Roberts, representing the Tokoiuurn Bay stil'i-association, arid Messrs. E. Nhelton and O. C. .lames, from TohK'H. Da v. Mr. ''. K. Williams, Dr. X. i;. Mackay.nml Mr. A. I>. Littlejoint. The toast of "Absent Comrades," proposed bv Mr. .1. 11. Taplin. president of the Rnalorin sub-assoieation, was honoured in impressive manner, ihe lights being lowered and the "Last. Post" sounded, after which .Mr. V. Xeill snug "Requiem.'" and the "Rcverne" signalized the conclusion of the ceremony. XEW ZEALAND R.S.A. A lengthy toast -list, was dealt with, prominence being given to that of the "Xew Zealand R.5.A.," which Mr. D. 11. Howarth referred to ;is a powerful organisation, depending for expression of its objects mainly upon the headquarters at Wellington, but for its real strength on the membership of the branches scattered throughout the country. Mr. Howarth paid a tribute to the work of headquarters in so directing the policy that every request put forward received consideration. Replying to this toast. Colonel Gambrill gave some details ot the recent conference, and as a vice-president of the national body, acknowledged the aid received from the district and urea branches. Only through consolidation of that strength could exservicemen protect their less fortunate mates in the struggle for existence in these strenuous times, he pointed out. Colonel Gamhrill touched upon the necessities of national defence, and asked ex-servicemen to keep in mind the sa.-riiice- which a later generation of voting men were making to that end! On behalf of the Cisbome district association, he added a few words of deep appreciation of what the Ruatoria 1 ranch had .lone in ihe past year. Toasted by Mr. .). 11. Taplin, civilian guest., spoke* hriefly, Dr. Mack-ay quoting some of his experiences of the association in its work for disabled and ailing men and their dependents, while Mr. r. K. Williams intimated lhal he would feel it a privilege to carry on. to his best capacity, the! efforts on behalf of relumed men to which his late father, Mr. K. *. Wil-1 Mams, had given so much thought. - Aft'. Littlejohu also assured the gathering that what he could do to assist relumed soldiers would be done gladly. (MSP.OUXE ASSOCIATION The Gisborne U.S.A. was toasted at the instance of M r. T. A. Sneliing, who claimed that this organisation was held up as a pattern to Xew Zealand. Replying, Mr. W. Oakden acknowledged the co-operation given to district head'quarters both by the "Diggers'-' for. whom it was working, ami also by the civilians of the whole district. He out lined s. typical instfinces of Hie needs of the "Diggers," and declared Dial silent woi leers in ihe town and country areas afforded ihe greatest help to the association. Messrs. 0. G. .lames and .1. .1. Roberts replied to the toast of "Kindred Sub-associations," the lastriientioued emphasising the importance. of rank-and-file activity in the respective neighbourhoods. Mr. P. .1. Barry was honoured by a special roast, proposed by Mr. M. Gudgeon, and in acknowledging the com-, pliiuent declared that he was receiving credit which was undoubtedly due. to .Mr. and Mrs. Burton, the excellent host and hostess id' the Mauntal'i Hotel. VOLUNTEERS' TASK The "Nursing Service" was toasiei on Ihe proposal of Mr. A. .1. 11. Kirkham. Mr. If. Kemp replying on behuli of the service, .and .Mr. s. MeCosh proposed the health of the "Army. Navy and Air .Force," Captain .1. G. Nolan replying. In ins brief speech, Captain Nolan said that a handful of volunteers was trying to do a job that by rights should be recognised as everyone's obligation, and were doing their best in the face of a seeming public apathy. lie assured the gathering that the traditions of the X.Z.E.F. and other forces of the country were treasured to-day by the territorials, and that there was no danger of their being lost or jejtisoned. Mr. and Mrs. '.I. 11. Taplin were also honoured with a toast, proposed by Mr. P. Ford, who referred to Mrs. Taplin's fine work in connection with social activities sponsored by the subassociation. A number of other (oasis were included in the programme, the toast list being interspersed with songs by Messrs. 11. Benson and F. Xeill, stories and recitations by Mr. 0. G. .lames, and a number of anecdotes of service davs by various contributors. Messrs. F.' Xeill, F. Wise, and Lionel Harris furnished appropriate music and accompaniments, I heir services being keenly appreciated by ihe {fathering.