Bluff Returned Soldiers’ Association

Southland Times, Issue 22923, 23 June 1936, Page 5

Bluff Returned Soldiers’ Association

ANNUAL SOCIAL

On Saturday evening the Bluff branch of the R.S.A. held its annual social, the president (Mr N. W. McGorlick) presiding over a record attendance. Among those present were the Hon. T. F. Doyle, M.L.C., the DeputyMayor (Mr J. H. Doyle), Messrs H. C. McKenzie and F. E. Wright (representing the executive of the Invercargill R.S.A.) and many members of the city association and other branches. After the Loyal Toast had been honoured, the “Last Post” was sounded by Mr R. Ashwell and at the chairman’s invitation the gathering stood for a while in silence in memory of fallen comrades. Mr McGorlick extended a welcome to all present and expressed his pleasure at seeing such a splendid attendance. The speaker then invited the Hon. T. F. Doyle, M.L.C., to address the gathering. He had always enjoyed these socials in the past, Mr Doyle said, and it was a great pleasure to him to be present again. He had taken a keen interest in the Bluff branch and the fine work it was carrying on; and when he read in Wellington that the association had purchased a section on which to build a club room he felt a wise step had been taken. With the possession of such a place members could meet in congenial conditions for pleasant recreation and the discussion of matters affecting returned soldiers. Continuing, Mr Doyle said that throughout New Zealand the R.S.A. was doing splendid work. The Dominion president (Mr Perry), who was known personally by the speaker had the welfare of every “digger” at heart. The association was well represented by more than 30 ex-servicemen in Parliament and it was certain that a measure dealing with pensions to be brought before the House shortly would receive sympathetic consideration. The Government intended to assist returned men who needed help. For that matter it hoped to make conditions better for the people of the Dominion generally. Mr Doyle urged members to cooperate loyally with their executive officers and concluded by wishing the Bluff R.S.A. continued success.

Replying to the toast “Invercargill R.5.A.,” with which his name was coupled, Mr H. C. McKenzie said that it was a pleasant duty to attend as one of the city association’s representatives. Fellow members of that body had specially asked him to congratulate the Bluff branch on its splendid increase in membership; and he wished also to felicitate the local returned men on the decision to build club rooms. He was sure the pleasure gained would justify the effort. The speaker urged members to heed Mr Doyle’s advice regarding unity, for in this the real strength of the association lay. Before concluding, Mr McKenzie touched on the subject of Anzac Day. He felt sure that ex-servicemen appreciated the stand made by the executive in the matter and that none desired to see the day pass without the observance it merited.

Other toasts were “Navy', Air Force and Imperial Army,” “The Chairman.” “The Press.” Warm tributes to the work of Mr John Tait in the interests of returned men were paid by the chairman, Mr McKenzie and others. Mr McGorlick announced that a meeting of returned soldiers, their wives and all residents willing to assist, would be held on Monday evening to make arrangements for the forthcoming R.S.A. carnival. The social had been extremely well organized and great credit is due to the local executive and willing helpers who attended the tables at supper and saw to the various arrangements for the evening. Music was supplied by an orchestra composed of the following: Messrs C. Dixon (piano), B. Mehaffey (violin), R. Ashwell (comet), M. West and H. Ryan (guitars). In addition to excellent numbers rendered by the orchestra, individual items were ■ given as follows: Messrs M, West, A. Giles, M. Murfitt, T. West, A. Campbell, M. Wixon, ’ A. Cheyne, A. Grant (songs), C. Payne (song and musical monologues), West and J. Gregg (songs and hakas), B. Mehaffey (violin solos), N. W. McGorlick, H. McKenzie, J. Forde, E. Jones, A. Campbell (stories and elocutionary items). Community singing was also heartily entered into by the gathering. A collection taken up during the evening in aid of the Fund for Crippled Children realized £3.