TEMUKA ANNUAL RE-UNION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21127, 29 August 1938, Page 3

TEMUKA ANNUAL RE-UNION

Returned Soldiers Forgather Old Friendships Renewed With rousing songs and hilarious stories, all reminiscent of the period of the Great War, members of the Temuka branch of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association celebrated the annual re-union of the branch on Saturday evening, in company with members of sister and kindred associations from all parts of South Canterbury. Mr A. R. Beck, president of the branch, presided over the function which took the form of banquet followed by a social hour. More than 230 men attended the reunion and associated with the president at the top table were the Mayor of Temuka (Mr A. W. Buzan), Messrs G. J. Walker (president of the South Canterbury branch), W. F. Barry (president of the Waimate branch), and d’A. Stanley Grut (secretary of the Waimate branch). The loyal toast and the silent toast to “Fallen Comrades,” preceded the president’s welcome to members, visitors and friends. In proposing the toast to the “South African Veterans,” Mr George Harrison said that the members of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association looked upon the veterans of the South African war as fellow “diggers,” and

in his reply Mr George Paterson said that the South Africans appreciated the good will and the good fellowship of the Great War veterans.

“The Temuka Association is always delighted to greet its visitors,” said the president in proposing the toast of “The Visitors,” to which replies were made by Messrs G. J. Walker, Barry, d’A. Stanley Grut, J. M. King (Waimate), and W. Seaward (Milford and Clandeboye). Gratitude to the Temuka Borough Council and to the Geraldine County Council for the many favours and courtesies extended to the members of the Association was expressed by Mr G. C. Tully (secretary of the Association), when he proposed the toast to “The Local Bodies.” In his reply, Mr Buzan said that he did not know of any other body which catered so efficiently and so capably for its members as the Temuka branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. The toast “The Ladies” was proposed by Mr G. E. Pierce, and the reply was made by Mr C. C. Stanley. Mr J. King, Temuka, proposed the toast of “The Newspapers,” and of “The Chairman.” Community Sing In the course of the evening there was community singing led by Mr W. McAndrew, of Ashburton, and musical items were given by Mr McAndrew (tenor solos), Messrs J. Crozier and G. Holmes (steel guitar duets), Mr C. C. Stanley (baritone solo), and Mr C. L. Hanson (piano accordion, Messrs Hanson and J. Rickus were the accompanists.