WYNDHAM NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21179, 4 September 1930, Page 3

WYNDHAM NOTES

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ REUNION. (From Our Correspondent.) The Wyndham branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association held its annual reunion in the Masonic Hall on Friday evening, when there was a large attendance present, including visitors from Invercargill, Edendale and Gore. ' Mr F. C. Mitchell presided and expressed pleasure at the good attendance and extended a welcome to the visitors. A period of silence was observed in memory of fallen comrades. Mr W. J. Marsh, in proposing the “New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association,” said that it was the first gathering of the branch that he had attended. He had not read the constitution, but assumed that its first aim was to keep alive the comradeship of the battlefield. Another important aim of the association was to look after those who had suffered war disabilities. The spirit of service was not so generally in evidence to-day, people forgetting that peace was won for them by men who jeopardized their lives. Mr J. W. Puckey, ..president of the Invercargill branch, congratulated Wyndham on the numerical strength of its branch. He urged all returned men to join the organization, and so help the “digger” who was up against it. Unity was needed to ensure attention and greater benefit to their unfortunate comrades. The Poppy Day funds had been well used, and during the season employment had been found for a tremendous number of men, who were thus milking good. The War Funds Association was doing good work, and it gave every case a sympathetic hearing. Mr J. Tait (Invercargill) said that the Invercragill branch was being revived with active work, and he stressed the importance of all joining up to add strength. The onus was on claimants for pensions to prove that their disability arose out of war service. The cases were dealt with by the Appeal Board and in the preparation of statements a great deal of the association’s work lav. Mr Rice said that Mr Tait had stressed the importance of expressing an opinion on the Government’s proposal to combine the of the soldier with

moved: “That this annual meeting bf the Wyndham branch of the Returned Soldiers Association strongly protests against the rehabilitation report being included in the Unemployment Bill, and that copies of the resolution be sent to the acting-Prime Minister and members for the district.” This was seconded by Mr Mitchell and carried unanimously. Mr A. C. Bulling, in proposing “Our Visitors,” welcomed the visitors. Mr Puckey, in replying, cordially invited the Wyndham branch to Invercargill on the occasion of their reunion. Mr H. Bissett (Edendale) added his felicitations and mentioned that the Poppy Fund had enabled two local men to be employed this year. He hoped that they would be able to do more in future. Songs during the evening were contributed by Messrs L. B. Borrow, J. Richardson, A. E. Bulling, H. Bissett, J. Young, J. P. Stewatt, C. Ellis, and G. Clarke. Social at Menzies Ferry. Friends and neighbours foregathered at the residence of Mr and Mrs David Duthie, Coalpit road, Menzies Ferry, last Friday evening, for the purpose of making them a presentation on the occasion of their recent marriage, there was a large crowd present, and the time passed pleasantly with games and dancing, interspersed with songs by Messrs Ballantyne (Mataura), H. Richardson and recitations by Mr William Winter. Mr William T. Lobb asked Mr and Mrs Duthie’s acceptance of a chiming clock, as a token of the esteem in which they Were held by their friends, who also wished them all happiness in their married life. Supporting remarks were made by Messrs William Winter and Cecil Wilson, after which Mr Duthie made suitable ac-