FRONTIERSMEN’S DINNER

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1927, Page 15

FRONTIERSMEN’S DINNER

ANNUAL TARANAKI REUNION. PRESENTATION OF Cl I'S. What better does a veteran of many campaigns like than to meet again his former comrades, to talk of oid times and to fight again the battles of yore. It. is new life to him and he looks for ward to those times when such an opportunity presents itself. So it was that, on Wednesday night, 00 members of the Taranaki Squadron of Frontiersmen congregated at the annual dinner in the New Plymouth racecu.se buildings and honoured a long toast list. AU had seen service, and many a spirited yarn was exchanged relating to adventures abroad. As Lieut. Colonel Weston was slightly indisposed Squadron Leader Pike presided, and had associated with him Staff Captain G. Bertrand (N.Z. headquarters), Lieut. R. Brokenshire, Troop Leader Lieut. C. N. Vickridga (Ohawe), Staff Sergeant W. D. Thomson. Squadron Q.M.S. Sampson, Squadron Sergeant-Major L. W. Andrew V.U. Before proceeding with the toast list Squadron Leader Pike said that those who had missed the camp, had missed a treat. Each night interesting lectures, all on popular subjects, had been given. He expressed regret at the absence of Lieut-Colonel Weston, and wished him a speedy recovery. After the toast of “The King” that of “The Legion” was proposed. Many people asked what the legion was, said Squadron Leader Pike. Standing for King and Empire, he said, it was the finest thing a man could belong to, and it behoved everyone who could to join up. Lieutenant Brokenshire and Sergeant Major Andrew, in responding, both spoke of the work of the legion, and exhorted all comrades to stand by it. Staff Captain Bertrand, in proposing “The Squadron,” said that due to good leaders the squadron was. in a very good position. Onee it was hard to get in touch with a member, while now one met with them everywhere. In Taranaki the legion had come to stay, and its future depended entirely upon the frontiersmen. The staff in New Plymouth had now been split up and some were on headquarters while others remained on the Taranaki squadron. After the next conference of tho legion in Wellington shortly, it was thought that probably headquarters would again be ■stationed at New Plymouth. As Lieut. Colonel Weston was not on tho headquarters staff he wished that the new commandant would be given the same support. It was essential to keep up tho roll number in this district for the squadron had suffered numerical loss recently by the transference of Waverley and others to the newly-rearranged Wanganui squadron. A great loss would be felt by the sergeant-major’s departure to India shortly. Sergeant Thomson (Awakino), Sergeant Brown (Paritutu), Lieut. Wright (Parihaka), Lieut. Vickridge (Ohawe), Lieut. Foord (Eltham), Lieut. Chapman (North Taranaki), Lieut. Fitzgerald ’(Ati-awal and Troop Leader N. Corbet (Egrnont) suitably responded, giving short reports of their respective districts

“Sergeant Major Andrew,” proposed by Lieut. Neilson (Waverley) came next on tho list. The proposer said ho had been acquainted with Sergeant Major Andrew since boyhood, and told some vgry humorous stories of him. The legion, ho. said, would suffer a big loss when this comrade left, as he was going to do shortly, for India. They would find it hard to replace him, but luckily he was only going for two years. Replying, Sergeant Major Andrew stated that the L squadron was his mother squadron, and he would always regard it so. «-They had eaid that his leaving would cause a great loss, but he was sure there were plenty of others to take his place.

Squadron Leader Pike then presented the trophies which were won as follow: Troop Cup for troop ehooting, two highest ecores to win.—Paritutu (Frontiersmen Herbert and Thcrkelson), total 227, 1: Headquarters (218), 2; Parihaka (204), 3. Previous winners: 1923, 1924, 1926, Paritutu; 1925, Waverley. Brunton Cup, for miniature rifle shooting. Highest score in teams of ten. Not to be won outright. Possible 88 points.—Parihaka (07), 1: Ohawe (62.3), 2. This , was a particularly meritorious win as there were only 12 in the Parihaka troop, and ten were required for a team. Herald and Budget Cup, for highest individual score.—■ Frontiersman E. J. Herbert (113), 1: Staff Captain G. Bertrand (110), 2. Previous winners were: 1923, 1925, 1926, G. Bertrand; 1924, JO. J. Herbert. Frontiersman S. R. Veitch had the honour of taking the “tin belt” for the lowest score. Another toast honoured was that of “Headquarters Staff,” proposed by Lieuentanc Vickridge, who said that Taranaki had been the first place to rebuild after the war. Staff Captain Bertrand, in replying, stated that a big weakness in the past had been that all authority had been in a few hands. If the legion wer? to progress it must organise on military lines. Subsequent toasts were those of "Visiting Troops” (Comrade Pigott), “The Entertainers” and “The Press.” During the evening songs and recitations were contributed by Messrs. Hay, Cunningham, Cornwall, Maxwell, Baird and Goldsworthy. Throughout McNeill’s Jazz Band rendered selections.