“DINKS’” REUNION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19667, 27 June 1938, Page 6

“DINKS’” REUNION

N.Z.R.B. GATHERING

BATTALION LINER .MELEE

ALL OBJECTIVES TAKEN All objectives .fell to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on Saturday evening, when survivors of the “Dinkum soldiers’ units resident in Poverty Bay. Wairoa, and the East Coast area foregathered (for their first unit reunion, held in the Bon Accord rooms. Mr. E. Harris was in the chair, and the attendance comprised over GO veterans, who put a charadteristie sting into the enjoy ment of a well-chosen programme.

The president roferred with regret to the absence from the reunion oi the patron, Mr. E. M. Hutchinson, and the lion, secretary of the Rifle Brigade association, 'Mr. W. Wallace, who had forwarded apologies for non-attend-ance. Tie noted with pleasure, however, the presence of Mr. W. Oakden, secretary of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association, an organisation which members of the 'brigade most heartily supported. The issue of a small tot of rum to each member of the gathering, and the honouring of the loyal toast, was followed by a dinner to which all did full justice, in anticipation of the “hopover” planned (for later in the evening. The tables were arranged in battalion order, and after the dinner had been disposed of battalion lines were merged and old comrades made the most of the reunion.

During the toast to fallen comrades. Mr. Frank Neill sang the “Requiem,” Mr. W. Oakden acting as accompanist, and later Mr. D. Dyer took over the piano, and furnished music for a number of enjoyable songs and for community singing. Messrs. L. O. East, F. Neill, W. Oakden, and H. Moore contributed to the programme. Occasion, was taken by the chairman to congratulate the provisional committee on its fine work, the fruits of which were seen in the large gathering and the strength of the membership roll.

The toast list comprised “Fallen Comrades,” proposed 'by Mr. Chas. Harvey; "New Zealand Rifle Brigade, ’ proposed by Mr. IT. Carleton Williams; “Kindred Services,” proposed by Mr. J. McF. Ciacher, and “Returned Soldiers’ Association,” proposed by Mr. W. J. Duley.