SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3357, 25 October 1911, Page 2

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS.

ANNUAL REUNION

The annual reunion of South African veterans took place in Wootton’s rooms last evening, when the Mayor. Mr. W. Pettio, presided, over a. gathering of about one hundred veterans. Seated with' him were the following gentlemen : Major Hellier Evans, Captain John Tom'Jbleson, Lieut. Twistleton, Lieut. J. B. Poymtor and Messrs Lissant Clayton and F. Lysnar.

Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Colon©' Porter, Captain Beere, and Messrs Vincent P.vke and J. Morel!-

A lengthy toast list was honored, and man.v reminiscences of experiences during various campaigns were retold. Speaking to the toast of “The New Zealand Territorial Forces,” Mr. Lissa’nt Clayton expressed the thought that by having compulsory seivice New Zealand was helping the Empire, and that was what they expired to. He bad no sympathy with perpl:. who objected to compulsory service on what they termed conscientious scmples.. The present assemblage had proved that they were ready to render unto Caesar the tilings that acre Caesar’s in accordance with the Bib ical invocation. He hoped that New Zealand had planted a seed that would germinate and produce a fighting force worthy cf the traditions of the Empire. Major Hellier Evans, in reply, said that they would 'hot be able to show any great results for about two years, hut he was sure they wo'uld, at the end of that time, he so satisfied that they would w nder why compulsory military training had never been adopted before. Other toasts honoied were: “The King,” “The Navy and Army.” “South African Veterans,” “Old Veterans,” “Old Volunteers-,” “The Ladies,” and

“The Press.” Vocal items were rend orcd by the following gentlemen duriir. the evening: Messrs Manning, Morris Lovett, Stenner, O’Connor and Cave.