DEFENCE NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 143, 18 June 1936, Page 9

DEFENCE NOTES

COMPANY RE-UNION OFFICER FAREWELLED (By “Sentry.’’) Owing to the “Shipwreck” Movie Bull which is being held in the Drill Hall next Monday, June 22, all the usual parades for that night have been cancelled. “B” Coy. Reunion. A transformation was •effected on the stage at the rear c-f the Drill Hall for the first annual reunion of ”B” Company of the Wellington West Coast Regiment which was held last Monday evening. A working party on the previous day decorated tire hall with large quantities of punga and G-ther greenery, which converted the stage from its usual drab appearance into a bright hall, which was further brightened by the artistic use of coloured lamp shades. A stage was set up find tables laid out with sufficient seating accommodation for all. The guests of “B” Company for! the evening were Ll.-Colonel W. tS. McCrorie, officer commanding the regiment, Captain Barry, the adjutant, a ! large number of officers of the regiment, parents and friends of boys in “B” Company, the Signals and intelligence Sections, and N.C.O.’s of “A” (b) Company. At the commencement of bbc programme Captain Whiling, the company commander of “B” Company, extended a hearty welcome to all the visitors and expressed the wish that the function which was then being held would be but a fore-runner of many more on future occasions. The programme provided was a varied one, consisting of items by Messrs. Oram, senr., and Leo Dear, Sgt. Koorey, L/Cpls. W. Oram, W. Sherlock, Privates G. Broome, F. Dear, and Johnson, the last-named also ‘loing excellent work as pianist for the community ginging. An interesting talk was given by Captain S. H. Gould, while Lt.-Colonel W. S. McCrorie presented the trophies won by members of “B” Company during the year. At the conclusion o£ an excellent supper Captain Barry proposed the toast of “B” Company, this being replied to by Sergt. Koorey. The success of the evening was contributed to in no small manner by the work of all those who assisted on t ; be previous day to decorate the building, while a special word of thanks is due to Lance/Corporal W. Oram and Private Stewart, who spent the greater part of Monday at the hall preparing crockery and supper. The committee are also grateful to Messrs. Cuthbertson and Lee, who kindly loaned fittinngs, also Private F. Dear for the loan of his piano. Although many hours of work were necessary in preparing the hall, half an hour sufficed at the conclusion of the evening to dismantle t'he stage and greenery, etc., and once again the room was left bare, until perchance the next “B” Company reunion, when all concerned sincerely hope that the stage will be far too small and the main hall will have to be used to accommodate the crowd. The Sick List. Lieutenant L. Rutherford, who has been on the sick list for a considerable time now, is reported to be making good progress, and it should not be long before he once again feels his usual self and is back on parade. R.SM. Harvey is back on the job again, but is still weak on the injured ankle. Officer Farewelled. At the reunion on Monday evening opportunity was taken to say cheerio to Lieutenant J. Grant, who is shortly leaving Wanganui for the South Island. This officer came to Wanganui some three or four years ago from the south, and in that time has made many friends in Wanganui. Now his business takes him once more to his home island and “Sentry” joins with all of his territorial friends in wishing him gcod luck. Lieutenant Dalziell, in a short speech, paid a tribute to Lieutenant Grant’s work as a territorial officer while in Wanganui and wished him “all the best’’ in his new South Island home. In replying, Lieutenant Grant thanked the speaker for his kind remarks and assured everyone that even though his work was taking him a good distance from Wanganui he would always retain happy memories of the good times in "Wanganui and the many friends he had made while in this city.