Send-offs to Soldiers.

Friends from far and near assembled at Mr W. N. Grant Ussher's home on Wednesday, 4th hist., the occasion being to give Private Geo. Grant Usohera hearty sendolT before leaving New Zealand with the 23 tli Reinforcements. Mr Ussher, snr's. commodious barn ■was prepared and ready, so that everyone was able to sit aud enjoy the splendid social rendered by a number of talented artists. Mr Win, Walker, Stretton, occupied the chair, and proceedings were opened by the singing of the National Anthem, after which the following contributed items ; Songs Mesdames J. T. Brooker, T. H. Cupplcs, H. Millar aud Messrs A. Anderson, r»ul I3rowi», IX K. Griero and Private J. Ken 1 , jnr. ; recitation, Miss M. Willis, alljreceiving were merited applause. Mrs T. If. Ciipples played the accompaniments iv her usual fine style. At a suitable interval during the social, the Chairman arose and made a few appropriate remarks about the chief object of the gathering, with which ho had- much pleasure m presenting l'rivato Ussher, on behalf of the district residents, with a handsome wristlet watch. The audience rising and singing ' For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.' Other gentlemen who endorsed the Chairman's words were Messrs 1\ Bcggs, John Dickson, A. Robson, D. Macphorson and R. Donnelly. Private Ussher then replied, thanking everyone present for the way m which they had attended his sond-oflfand also for the tine present he waH the recipient of. In a jovial way the speakor mentioned that he had been oil' Trentliam stew for a week and consequently was not m good form for speechifying, the audience belying this statement with a round of applause. The younger ladies present then attended to the serving of a tine supper, after which Private Ussher was handed a pipe m case, which his father had accepted from the Otautau Committee for him. Mr Ussher, snr., then spoke and mentioned that'it was unfortunate that owing to Easter Holidays and other soldiers timetables, the two social functions, one at his bouse and one at Otautau, had to be held on the same evoning, occasioning his son to attend one only and he to act as his representative at the other. However, things had worked out A. I. and everybody was apparently quite happy.

The barn was then cleared and dancing gone on with to music supplied by Messrs J. Carrol, Paul Brown and A. Willis, while 'Mr F. Marshall acted as M.C.

It proved a difficult matter during Easter week to avoid socials to soldiers clashing one with another, aud so it happened that on Wednesday night, when Otautau wished to have its foregathering of friends to bid Au Rovoir to Privates George Ussher, J. Kerr and -Victor Clark, these soldiers were wanted elsewhere for similiar functions. However, a pleasant little gathering tock place m the Town Hall, and although from the reasons given, the attendance was not by any means up to expectations, still the proceedings wero very enjoyable, as there was ample room for dancing. These functions m the township have hitherto taken tlio form ol a smoke concert, and have been exolusi vely attended by the sterner sex. Wednesday's gathering was a new departure, and the initiation of a new order which will appeal to the public, and similiar meetings throughout the winter to departing boys are likely to become very popular. Private Ussher unfortunately, could not be present, and was represented by his father. Private James Kerr was present, and assisted m the musical part of the programme. Private Victor Clark sent au apology for unavoidable absence at his parent's house m Kaitangata. Mr J. Fisher acted as Chairman, and at a convenient interval, on behalf of the Soldier's Scud-oil" Committee, presented small mementos to each of the three guestes, Private Ussher ieceiyjog a pipe,

and Privates Korr and Cl;nk a razor each. Tliu presentation was spokm to by the Chairman and Mr Tonkiusou, and responded to by Mr Grant-Ussher, sour., mid Private Kerr.

■ Musii'iil Hems woro contributed by various hietid.s. and a social naif-hour, with refreshments, enjoyed, after which d.-weing was again indulged m for an hour or two. These gatherings bid fair this winter to take the place of tho Tennis Club's Euchre Socials of a couple of years ago, and the public may rest assured of pleasant evening's eutertaiument on each occassion.

The members of the Presbyterian Church I Choir and a few friends met together m the Vestry on Friday evening last, tl\p occasion being to bid An Rovnir to one of the members of the choir, who is leaving with the 25th Reinforcements, namely, Private Jas. lverr. The function was opened with the Choir singing an anthem, for which effort they were loudly applauded. Mrs H. Millar then gave a solo, the accompaniment being played by Piivate Kerr. Rev. Macdonald then outlined the object of the gathering, aud thanked Private Kerr for his past valuable services m helping the social functions of the Church, and also for having lent a voic^ to the Choir. The speaker had very much pleasure m presenting the guest with a handsome safety razor as a S'uall token ( f the esteem m which he was held by the choir member?. Other gentlemen present who endorsed these remarks were Messrs Paul Brown. Lewis Burnett and A. A. Fisher. Mr H. Millar, a relative of the guest, who is at present on a visit from Canada, had pleasure m •saying a few words, stating that he was j well pleased m what he saw m regard to j what Pi i vale Kerr had done, and also for tho manner m which he had been rewarded aud spoken of. The young 'ladies then, handed round supper, alter which a few games' wei e played and much appreciated. An enjoyable evening was brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem.