"DIGGERS'" REUNION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19759, 13 October 1938, Page 2

"DIGGERS'" REUNION

S/HOW DATE SELECTED • CUT IN "CIVIL LIST" SHORT TOAST PROGRAMME Proposals lor a remodelling of the annual gathering of ex-servicemen, sponsored bv the Gisborne Returned Soldiers' Association,, include a substantial cut in the invitation list, with the object of limiting attendance to "Diggers" and to official representatives of organisations such as the Territorial Association and the Legion of Frontiersmen. South African Veterans' Association members will 1 -xercise their own right to attend the leunion, they being entitled to membership in the company of "Diggers." Al.desire to have the attendance limited was expressed at the last annual meeting of the association, when, it" was pointed out that each yeaT had seen the number of invitees growing larger, and that the time had come to find some other means of acknowledging the interest and assistance of public men. The new proposals, however, were formulated at a conference of the executive of the Gisborne "Returned Soldiers' Association, the social corrimittee, the "Diggers" Choir, and the Tin Hat Club, held on Tuesday evening. There were i present Messrs. A. S. Mult, chairman, G. Crnwshaw, A. H. Lange, P. W. Bushnell, members of the-executive; Messrs. F. Barwick, J. Hunter, L. O. East, J. Cornelius and J. Goldsmith, social committee members; Messrs. W. R. Oxenham and H. D. "Robinson, •'Diggers" Choir delegates: Messrs. G. B. Carter and L. R. Stichbury, Tin Hat Club delegates: and-Mr. W. Oakden, association secretary. Apologies were received from Messrs. R. F. Gambrill, P. A. Gordon and W. H. James. Invitations to Reunion In respect of invitations to the reunion, it was decided that only representatives of the Territorial Association and the Legion of Frontiersmen be invited, apart from those entitled by war service to attend the reunion. The latter group includes all nursing sisters. South African War veterans and' members of the mercantile marine who served in the war areas. Sub-association districts, and the Opotiki, Wairoa and Napier associations will be asked to send delegations also. Instead of the charge of 5s previously levied, admission will cost 4s this; year, with complimentary privilege's" to members of the orchestra and civilian members of the "Diggers" Choir. The secretary will have discretion to reduce the standard charge in special cases. Messrs. G. Crawshaw and W. It. Oxenham were appointed a sub-com-mittee to organise the programme of entertainment, and a toast list of four iteflj.' - . Only was drawn up, the object being to limit the formal speeches as much as possible, and leave the remainder of the evening available for entertainment and for social exchanges.

Each oT the existing regimental assorialions was asked to provide four mess-orderlies, and it was decided to a.sk each of these associations to take charge of various groups of tables. The reunion will fall on the first Show night, November 8. with which occasion the "Diggers" gathering has an-'old association. The Show week date is believed to suit best a majority of ;tjie country and Coast ex-service-men.