ANNUAL REUNION

Southland Times, Issue 25308, 11 June 1935, Page 8

ANNUAL REUNION

SOUTHLAND REGIMENT A HAPPY FUNCTION TROPHIES PRESENTED The annual smoke concert of the Ist Battalion, Southland Regiment, was held in the Federal last evening. A lengthy toast list was honoured, while stories and musical items assisted in making the evening a most enjoyable one. Lieutenant-Colonel E. F. Selby, M. V.D., presided. An apology and message of goodwill was received from Colotiel Hargest, who is at present in hospital in Wellington. The toast of the “Southland Regiment was proposed by Lieutenant H. Ritchie, who stated that the regiment had had a somewhat chequered career but had always “come up smiling.” It had an excellent record of service, while its commanding officers had invariably been notable men. He congratulated Colonel Selby on being a recipient of the King’s medal. Going on to speak of the volunteer movement now under way, he said that it remained with the youth of the country whether they were going to have conscription or carry on under the volunteer system. It behoved every jfoung man to do his duty and do it willingly if they were to avoid conscription. It would be a bad thing if they had to bring in conscription. Apart from the defence aspect a man was better fitted to take his place in the world if he spent a year or two under discipline. Need For Efficient Officers. Replying, Lieutenant-Colonel Selby said that the standard of the regiment was only kept up by the officers and non-commissioned officers, supported by the men. Along with other officers of the regiment who had . received medals, he felt sure that this honour had only been bestowed because the whole regiment had worked together to maintain a high standard. Looking back to the time when he had been an N. himself, he could . remember that it had often been said that the N.C.O. was the “backbone of the Army.” To a large extent that was true, for'the N.C.O. not only had to do the work himself but he also had to see that it was done by others. Today the country was in need of men, in need of a trained army. He went on to say that the New Zealand Division had made a great name for itself in the last war and it was up to them to live up to that reputation. The regiment was extremely lucky in having the services of Captain Moore and Lieutenant Cockerell, two officers who had done much to make the regiment efficient (Applause). Speaking of the Battalion Band, he said that the band had never stinted its services, turning out sometimes as often as three times a day, and it appeared to him that the citizens of Invercargill did not always realize what an asset they had in the band. Proposing the ' toast of the “Mayor and Council,” Captain H. T. Ham referred to the way in which the Mayor had retained the confidence of the people, and also to the assistance given the regiment by the council. His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller) stated in the course of his reply that he had heard much of the trials and troubles in keeping the regiment together, and he urged them to continue their efforts to gain new recruits. Speaking of the City Council, he thought that the people had chosen the best men from the 24 candidates who sought election. Veterans and R.S.A. Sergeant-Major Davenport proposed the toast of the “Returned Soldiers Association and South African War .Veterans.” Responding on behalf of the latter body, Staff Sergeant-Major Little, D.C.M., N.Z.P.S., said that although the veterans had formed an association a little over a year ago, it was now developing considerable strength numerically. He extended thanks to the R.S.A. for the help it had given the veterans. Mr W. R. Mabson, president of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association, also replied, thanking the Battalion Band for the way in which it had turned out when requested. The regiment, he added, was composed of volunteers, who would be the soldiers of to-morrow and the veterans of the future, and thus it was closely allied to the R.S.A. Other toasts honoured were: “The Staff,” proposed by Lieutenant I. H. Logan and response by Captain A. J. Moore, N.Z.S.C.; “Visitors and Performers,” proposed by Major T. Matthews; “The Press” (Major Leckie) and “The Chairman” (the Mayor). Trophies Presented. Trophies were presented by the chairman as follows:— Fortrose Ladies’ Challenge Cup (best rifle shot in Ist Battalion who also attended camp): Private G. Allen (Headquarters Wing), score 119, 1; Private S. Rizzi (Headquarters Wing), score 102, 2. This trophy was won by Lieutenant H. S. D. Yates, who withdrew in favour of a member of the ranks. Binney Challenge Cup (best Lewis Gun shot): Corporal L. J. Small (“A” Company), score 90, 1; Private A. J. Chapman (“A” Company), score 89, 2. Captain A. F. Ritchie Crawford Challenge Cup (best machine gun shot): Corporal G. Weeds (“D” Support Company), score 195, 1; Private W. C. Munro (“D” Support Company), score 178, 2. Recognition for four years’ efficient service in volunteers was also made to Company Quartermaster-Sergeant A. A. Butson, Sergeant A. Pomeroy, Sergeant H. A. Sutton and Sergeant W. L. Rowland, Corporal J. J. F. Ramsay. During the evening enjoyable items were given by Major D. F. Leckie and Lieut. H. S. D. Yates (vocal solos), Private T. Walsh (mouth organ solo), Mr S. Griffin (piano accordeon solo), Sergeant Forbes (cornet solo), and the Battalion Band under Bandmaster Berryman. Major Leckie also led the company in ■ community singing. Mr Griffin acted as accompanist.