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A Short History of the
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Annual reunions have been held every year since the Association's formation, in both Auckland and Wellington branches until World War II, and subsequently by the national body. For many years these functions took the form of 'smoke concerts' or 'stag parties', ie they were organised for men only, and always held in the evening. Members provided their own entertainment with songs, anecdotes, humorous items, etc. No less than 149 members attended the first, held in 1934 at Auckland, some having travelled from as far afield as Taranaki, the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Wellington. Among those who gave items were Tom Power, virtual founder of the Association, and W. Delaney who was a Trumpeter at Orakau in 1864! Toasts honoured that night included the Armed Constabulary Force and Police and Prisons Departments. In proposing the toast to the AC the President, Major General Sir George Richardson, spoke of the many fine qualities possessed by its Officers, NCO's and Constables from whom came the foundation members of the New Zealand Permanent Force. Ex-Superintendent C. Hendry and Mr A. Julian both replied on behalf of the Armed Constabulary while Commissioner W.G. Wohlmann (a Vice-President of the Association), and Superintendent Dickison replied on behalf of the Police and Prisons Departments respectively. During the 19th and early 20th centuries direct transfers from the Permanent Force to the Police and Prisons were quite common. Hence the Association numbered many serving or retired Policemen or Prison Officers among its members, including some who attained high office in their respective services, and who also served the Association with distinction. However, such transfers were actively discouraged by the military authorities, and eventually stopped. Today our membership includes a mere handful of serving or retired Policemen. The cost of attending a reunion prior to World War II is quite illuminating. Members attending the 1939 national reunion in Wellington each paid three shillings (30c). Of this amount 1/3 (12c) was spent on supper, and the remainder on liquor, supplies of which were augmented by donations solicited by the 'Cadgers' Committee' . The small outlay by individuals enabled even the poorest to enjoy a convivial evening. Prices steadily increased during the war, and by 1946 the cost had risen to 7/6 (75c). This was still a very reasonable figure, but certain aspects began to annoy the younger generation, numbers of whom were now joining the Association. At the first post-war reunion in Wellington attended by the writer in 1947, the Association hierarchy and sundry non-paying guests (most of whom were senior Officers) sat at the 'top' table drinking whisky, while lesser folk - who had all paid the prescribed entrance fee - were given beer. Older members seemed to accept this thoughtless discrimination, but the younger thought it totally unbecoming of an institution claiming to be an association of comrades. Some have never attended another reunion. Bitterness crept in in other directions also. Not all the speeches eulogised the Royal Regiment. On one occasion a member stated he had served for 15 years before being promoted Bombardier, but after transferring to the NZ Permanent Staff only a fraction of that time before being commissioned. When he called the RNZA a 'dead-loss' outfit (among other things), a number of the ancients there present walked out, but none of the moderns. The latter, most of whom had recently returned from active service to sub-standard conditions at Fort Dorset - and who had just had ten years 'knocked off' their retiring age - found it difficult to disagree. Another factor which did little to encourage younger members to attend reunions was the exclusion of the ladies from the Association's activities except to prepare supper for committee meetings. Of the younger members not already married many more were contemplating marriage, and 'stag' parties, while still popular with them, were frowned upon to some extent by their partners - with the inevitable result. A social held in Auckland in 1969 to which the ladies were invited was very successful. Possibly the Executive took the hint, for at the presentation of the NZAC Plaque at Taupo in 1970, and at a further function there in 1971 both members and wives were invited to attend. However, change came slowly. In 1972 the year the national reunion venue was switched from Wellington to Taupo, the ladies were invited to accompany their partners, but were not invited to the Saturday night dinner, the principal function of the weekend. Twenty-seven members attended but only 13 ladies. The following year saw the ladies fully integrated into the proceedings (except for the Annual General Meeting during which other entertainment was arranged for them). Thirty-nine members and 26 ladies attended, after which the Executive 'got the message'. In 1974 occurred a slight drop in attendance, attributed to the cost involved in travelling to Taupo annually, as well as the difficulty in some cases in obtaining leave. Certain members of the Executive were thereby prompted to recommend reunions be held every second year, but fortunately advocates of the annual event won the day, leaving the choice 'to attend or not to attend' to the individual. Theirs was the correct decision, for although some attend in alternate years, every year one sees new faces, and overall the attendance has slowly increased. In 1985 it numbered 58 members and 45 ladies. The reasons for selecting Taupo as the reunion venue in 1972 were as follows: firstly, attendance at Wellington reunions had been falling off, secondly Taupo is in the middle of the North Island where the great majority of our members live, and thirdly Taupo and the Spa Hotel in particular have an important place in our history through their early association with the New Zealand Armed Constabulary. Our selecting of Taupo is not to say we have forgotten our South Island comrades, but as everyone knows it is impossible to satisfy every individual in a membership which stretches from North Cape to the Bluff. For those who cannot make the trip north, our Canterbury/Westland/Nelson Rep is ably organising reunions in Christchurch with assistance from Headquarters. Annual reunions are now planned to cover a weekend; the main items are a 'get-together' at the Taupo RSA late Friday afternoon, the AGM at 1000 hrs Saturday morning, dinner at 1900 Saturday night, and church parade 1000 Sunday morning. Thus there is ample time for sight-seeing, rag-chewing, etc. Saturday's proceedings are held in the Taupo Yacht Club premises, a fine modern building in which 200 can comfortably sit down to dinner. The church parade, which concludes the formal portion of the reunion, is held in the lounge of the Spa Hotel, an old Maori meeting house itself of great historical interest. This building is protected by Act of Parliament. At earlier reunions the church parade was held at the Opepe Military Cemetery, where in 1869 a Bay of Plenty Cavalry escort was surprised by a party of Te Kooti's warriors, an action wrongly described by historians as a 'massacre'. The site was at first considered appropriate for a service of remembrance because some AC men had been buried there after the so-called massacre. However, our present Patron recommended that we move to the Spa in deference to the feelings of our Maori members. To those interested in New Zealand's early history, Opepe is well worth a visit. It lies on the Taupo-Napier highway about 18 km from Taupo, and is well sign-posted. There is one more important 'point to note': at reunions today those who drink whisky pay for whisky, those who drink beer pay for beer. At the dinner there is still a 'top' table - but the rule is BYO. If you are one of those who has yet to attend a reunion at Taupo, do so now. You will be assured of a most interesting and entertaining weekend and you will see old comrades you have not seen for years. Many of the same members attend year after year and still find the experience enjoyable. 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