BLUFF R.S.A.

Southland Times, Issue 21728, 14 June 1932, Page 7

BLUFF R.S.A.

ANNUAL REUNION. VERY SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. (From Our Correspondent.) Memories of 1914-18 were again revived when a large number of local and visiting ex-soldiers gathered at Bluff Drill Hall (and later in the Athenaeum) for the annual reunion dinner and social on Saturday evening. Mr N. W. McGorlick, president of the Bluff branch, presided, and seated with him were the Mayor of Bluff (Mr T. F. Doyle) and Messrs H. Ritchie (president and J. Roderique, representing the executive of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association. During the dinner a programme of bright music was played by the local Milyon-airs Orchestra, this adding greatly to the enjoyment of the diners. Afterwards an adjournment was made to the Athenaeum, where a smoke social was held. The loyal toast having been honoured, the gathering stood for a few moments in silence in memory of fallen comrades. Before extending a welcome to those present, Mr McGorlick read telegrams from the executives of the Edendale and Winton branches of the R.S.A., in which best wishes for a successful function were extended. It was pleasant to know that a fine feeling of fellowship prevailed between the branches as evidenced by the telegrams, which were much appreciated, the president said. Continuing, the speaker emphasized that the presence of so many at the gathering showed that a keen interest was beiqg taken in R.S.A. matters. It was satisfactory to know that through the executive’s activities the sum of £5BB had been obtained for the benefit of local men. This had been made possible not only by the loyalty of association members, but also through the support of local bodies. The Bluff Harbour Board and Borough Council had given*very valuable assistance and the R.S.A. executive was deeply appreciative of this and also of the fact that the bodies named had signified their willingness to continue helping as much as possible. Mr McGorlick voiced his pleasure at having with them his Worship the Mayor of Bluff, members of the Invercargill executive, Mr J. Gallen, of Invercargill (who had rendered great assistance to Bluff R.S.A.) and Mr J. E. Strachan. The latter came from South Africa and had served in the German East and West African campaigns. Mr T. F. Doyle, in thanking the previous speaker for the welcome extended, said that he regarded it as both a duty and a privilege to be present. He felt great pleasure in making one of such a splendid gathering. The time had come, his Worship continued, for every local returned soldier to be linked up with the Bluff Association. Looking back one could not fail to be impressed with what the latter had accomplished. Starting without funds, the executive had made a determined effort and had been signally successful. The fact that approximately £6OO had been expended in work for local ex-servicemen was proof of that and it could honestly be claimed as a remarkable achievement. The future presented a problem, because they certainly had a difficult period to face. Therefore it was the duty of all to rally round the executive. It behoved all to help, to link up and sink all differences which might arise, and in this way the local association would be able to carry on the good work as it had done in the past year. In proposing the toast to the Invercargill R.S.A., coupled with the name of the president, Mr H. Ritchie, Mr H. Newman said that all recognized the good work done by the parent body. It had started in a small way and from such had been built up into one of the most important bodies of the kind in New Zealand. It would be remembered that the Invercargill executive had helped to start the association in Bluff, a circumstance which brought a feeling of comradeship between the two. He felt confident this would be kept up and that the good work of the parent body would continue. Mr Ritchie, in replying, said that the hearty manner in which the toast had been honoured was typical of the Bluff branch, the members of which were spontaneous in thought and action. The Port Association had set a fine example which, it could truthfully be said, had put new life into the Invercargill Association. The fact that there were now about six hundred returned men linked up in Southland meant that they could get much done which otherwise would be impossible to achieve. As time went on more men were feeling the effects of war strain and the necessity of combined action was becoming still greater. Mr Ritchie concluded by congratulating the Mayor on the work of the Bluff Borough Council, the R.S.A. executive on its fine record of achievement, and urged all present to uphold the prestige of returned soldiers on all occasions, by doing which they would also be able to obtain support for those of their comrades who needed help. “The Imperial Army and Navy” was proposed by Mr O. F. Metzger, who stressed the feelings of affection and esteem which overseas soldiers felt for these splendid branches of the Empire’s forces. The work and efficiency of the two had been an inspiration to the Dominion’s soldiers. In his reply on behalf of the Army and Navy, Mr W. G. Mackay said he felt honoured at being chosen to respond. Personally he had served as a soldier, but, although he was proud to think that he and his mates had “also helped,” they always unhesitatingly gave pride of place to the Navy. To Mr A. Wachner fell the toast of “Bluff R.S.A.” He was pleased, Mr Wachner said, to pay a tribute to that body. He had spent three years on the Invercargill executive and had thus gained an insight in R.S.A. affairs and he therefore understood what an amount of work the Bluff executive had accomplished to put the branch in its present strong position. It was known throughout New Zealand as an association of live members which was doing good work for all. This was having an effect and other branches were beginning to follow the fine example set. In his response the president said that the progress of the Bluff branch had been made possible by the loyal co-operation of members. Every meeting was well attended. The townsfolk, too, had been staunch helpers throughout. As an instance, at the last annual ball local ladies had supplied the supper gratis and there was an abundance left over for distribution. The branch was out to help the needy digger, and it was gratifying to know their efforts' were appreciated. In proposing the toast “The Nursing Sisters,” Mr R. N. Porter remarked that it was surely the most important of the evening. He asked those present to imagine a war without the nurses. Men who were unfortunate (or fortunate) enough to find themselves in hospital discovered they were in a “home away from home”—purely through the wonderful kindness and efficiency of the nursing sisters. (Loud applause.) - Mr J. Roderique thanked the gathering for the way. the toast had been honoured, and added that from his own experiences he knew the tribute was thoroughly deserved, as the sisters had been a splendid body of ministering angels. Mr H. Ritchie proposed the toast “Bluff Local Bodies.” Bluff had pro-

duced many notable men, including the great statesman, Sir Joseph Ward, the speaker said. Everything local people undertook to do they did well, whether in sport or more serious activities. He coupled with the toast the names of the Mayor (Mr Doyle), and Messrs Percy Smith (Greenhills), R. Cooke and T. Gilroy. In replying on behalf of. Bluff Borough Council, Mr Doyle said that local body, in common with others in New Zealand, was passing through a difficult period, yet no man on the council’s staff had been put off, and as long as he remained in the Mayoral chair none would be. (Applause.) The council had not reduced the rate of wages earned by its employees, because it believed that reduction in salaries was not true economy. Real economy lay in efficiency and the cutting out of wasteful expenditure. There was a fairly large sum on the estimates for necessary work and a por-

tion of this would be earmarked for returned soldiers. (Applause.) The Mayor concluded by stating that he was associated with a band of energetic and conscientious councillors who would be a credit to any borough in the Dominion. The speaker received an ovation at the conclusion of his remarks. The entertainment programme submitted would have proved acceptable on any concert platform. This was only to be expected when, in addition to first-class local performers, artists such as Messrs T. Pryde, A. Credgington and B. Mehaffey contributed. The former’s splendidly rendered songs, Mr Credgington’s capital elocutionary items and the violin solos of Mr Mehaffey were received with great enthusiasm by a delighted audience. A feature of the evening was the playing of accompaniments and incidental music by Mr Norman Bradshaw, who from first to last displayed rare artistry

at the piano. So carefully chosen were the artists for the evening that every single item submitted was insistently encored. Those contributing were: Messrs T. Prvde, A. Tall (Invercargill), G. Mitchell, A. Grant and J. Gavigan (songs); Mr Brian Mehaffey (violin solos); Mr A. Credgington (recitations and stories); Mr N. Bradshaw (accompaniments and piano solos); Messrs H. Ritchie and N. W. McGorlick (stories). A memorable evening concluded with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” The committee, through whose untiring efforts the evening passed off smoothly and happily, was composed of Messrs N. W. McGorlick (chairman), T. Finnerty (secretary), M. McTigue, R. N. Porter, W. Lowe, P. Young, W. Crozier, F. Barford and J. Trembath. They are deserving of great credit for the organizing of the function.