WAIREKA VETERANS ARE ENTERTAINED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19035, 2 April 1930, Page 16

WAIREKA VETERANS ARE ENTERTAINED.

DAYS OF THE MAORI WARS ARE RECALLED

(Special to the “Star.") NEW PLYMOUTH, April 1. A spirit stronger than ever seemed to rise from the members of a body of men growing gradually less in number and more feeble in phy’sique. when eight veterans of the battle of Waireka gathered with their wives and descendants in New Plymouth this afternoon as guests of the Rotarians. Such a gathering is held every’ year. Sadly, yet bravely', and with a fullseasoned philosophy, those eight veterans laughed and talked. They remarked that since the last gathering nine of the small band that survived the battle had passed away. They remarked as well, sadder still, yet with paradoxical abandon—that their remaining day’s on earth were waning. They wondered, they said to each other and to their descendants, how many of them would be able to attend the function next year. Those who attended were Messrs G. A. Adlam (88), John Andrews (87), John Foreman (83), T. O. Hickman (83), H. Arden (83), A. Binnie (87), Alex Black (79), and W. G. Orr. The struggle of the Maori wars was by no means the least of the struggles Britain was called upon to make about those times, said Colonel Weston, who presided. The soldiers were settlers as well, living amongst their enemies and living in a state of danger and tension shared by their women and children. He was glad to see so many of the veterans’ wives present. To have lived twenty or twenty-five years with one’s wife meant a growth of mutual fondness. That fondness must double and treble in strength, after fifty years. Colonel Weston assured the veterans that their civil and military record was honoured and that, when the time came for them to face the wall, as all must do, they could do so having the respect and admiration of the community.

“ In a few years more there will be none of us left,” said Mr G. A. Adlam. “ Several of the seventeen veterans now on the roll are not able to attend. Nine comrades have left us since the last gathering. Nature has called many away'.” It was very’ pleasant for them to be entertained each yea*, he said, and he hoped he would be spared to attend the next function. “ Time is short for some of us,” he said, “ and we do not know who is to be next.”