FRONTIERSMEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20182, 26 June 1928, Page 8

FRONTIERSMEN

ANNUAL GATHERING A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION The annual conference of the New Zealand branch of the Legion of Frontiersmen held in Wanganui during the week-end was agreed by all to have been, the most successful gathering of its kind since the war. The business of the conference was followed keenly, and the fullest discussion of every point invited by the Commandant, Col. C. H. Weston, D. 5.0., in whom all members haze the greatest confidence, which was expressed in his unanimous re-election. The great amount of work done voluntarily by Staff-Major Bertrand of New Zealand Headquarters through whom all correspondence and monies must pass from the various squadrons to London or New Zealand Headquat ters and from them back to squadrons was referred to by those present. Staff-Major Bertrand was again appointed to his position. Captain D’Esterre, Commissioner fot the southern hemisphere, gave a very interesting resume on the early days of the Legion in New Zealand and told of the class of man they had before the war which enabled them to offer a force of 1000 men fully equipped with their own horses, to man a transport from captain to greasers, and to sail to any front where their servises were re quired, also to the black shirts, as they were known in tho-V) days, who crossed the Channel and en listed in the Belgian Army and were therefore the first British soliders in ♦he war. Captain D’Esterre also said how much pleasure it gave him to bo at the conference and to note the progress made and the. organisation of the command, which was a great credit to the officers concerned.

When the buisness of the conference was over the members held a smoko concert. The following assisted in the programme: Mr F. Thomas, Mr Peter Buchan, Mr A. L. Griffiths, Mr Robertson. Mr Guy Hardenberg, Col. Weston. Lt. Prater, Sgt.-Major Nichol. The orchestra, under Mr R. Olliver, was once more to the fore in assisting the Legion function. Those members who were able to remain joined with the St. John Ambulance in church parade on Sunday morning led by the band of the Salvation Army, to the Trinity Methodist Church. where Chaplain Major Cox gave an appropriate address.