EX-SERVICEMEN

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIX, Issue 3101, 22 June 1929, Page 5

EX-SERVICEMEN

ANNUAL RE-UNION. A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. The annual re-union of the Cambridge District Ex-Servicemen was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Thursday evening, when there was the representative attendance of 90. The local president, Mr. S. N. Ziman, presided, and associated with him were tho Mayoi , (ML C. H. Priestley) and Mr. T. F. Richards. Among the visitors present were Major Bell (Hauraki and Waikato Regiments) and Major Nod Johnson (Hamilton); Apologies for absence wore received from Mr. F. Lye, M.P., Colonel Duignan (Northern Command), Captain Rishworth, Te Awamutu R.S.A., and Lieutenant Jones (Waikato Regiment). Before proceeding with the programme the silent toast to tho fallen was honoured. The Three Forces.

In proposing the toast of * 1 The Army, Navy, and Air Force," Mr. T. F. Richards said they were the three fundamental influences on the protection find welfare of the nation. To all branches New Zealand, as a far outpost of Empire, owed a very great debt and should never lose sight of their influence in the protection of our country. In' fitting tributes to each branch of ;the military services, Mr. Richards particularly emphasised the importance of the Navy to New Zealand, and paid tribute to tire service rendered during the Great'War in keeping the routes of commerce open.

In responding, Major Bell heartily thanked the Association for the welcome, and dealt interestingly with military work in .Samoa. ■ proposing the toast of the N .Z. Expeditionary Frrce, the Mayor said it ■gave him very great pleasure to support Major Bell, in again vouching for the high character of the men who left New Zealand’s shores. The Mayor advocated a continuance of military training in New Zealand, and referred to its value from an active service viewpoint; Mr. Priestlejr paid tribute to tho Expeditionary Force for the honour they brought the Dominion in their exploits on Gallipoli and other seats of war. . The speaker also referred to the fine impression created at Home. In responding, Major F. H. Anderson, Cambridge, thanked the Mayor for-his tributes, and then proceeded to give some interesting details of the N.Z.E.F., mentioning that at one period there wore 52,000 Anzacs at the'front. Major Anderrson referred sympathetically to the lot of the mefi who had returned incapacitated, or who were still suffering iq. some, way as the result <sf their active service experiences, and he made a plea for all members to give a helping hand where such was needed.

In proposing the toast of * ‘ The Ladies,” Mr. D. J. Lundon paid tribute to the splendid service of the nurses and other workers near the front lines, also mentioning the part the ladies had played at home. Mr. A. Swayne suitably responded. i ‘ The Visitors ’ ’ toast was proposed by Mr. T, H. Hampshire, and Major Noel Johnson replied, thanking the Association for the welcome and conveying fraternal greetings from the Hamilton Association and the Hauraki Kegiment.

During the evening the following en-, joyable programme was rendered: — .Songs, Mr. C. Russo,. “Dreams of Long Ago ’’: and ‘‘Beneath Thy Window ’’; humorous songs, Mr. W. Fenton (Hamilton), “The Rhinocerus” and “The Laughing Song”; songs, Mr. S. Hardwick, “In Happy Moments Day by Day” and “The Veterans’ Song”; Mr. T. H: Hampshire, pianoforte solo, songs and stories; songs, Mr. Hardwick, “The Company-Sergeaht-MajQr” and “Shipmates o’ Mine”; songs, Mr. J. Rennie, “Arizona” and “Alfonso”; Mr. C. Russo, “Funiculi, Funicula”; songs, Mr. Blackje (Hamilton), and stories' “The Agony Column” and ‘ ‘ Househunting. ’ ’

At about midnight a very succecssful function broke up with tho hearty singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem.