TROOPS ENTERTAINED.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 92, 25 May 1914, Page 3

TROOPS ENTERTAINED.

SATURDAY'S FUNCTION. In every way the citizen's social to the garrison troops which took place on Saturday night was a success. The large hall of the King Edward Barracks was warmed by big coke heaters to a comfortable temperature and eight large tables accommodated the men. Altogether there would be about six hundred persons present. Sitting at the head table were his Worship the Mayor (Mr Holland), Colonel Smyth, Colonel G. J. Smith, Major Murphy, and Mr H. G. Ell, M.P. The Mayor read apologies for absence from General Godley, the Hon. James Allen, the Hon. C. Louisson, M.L.C., and Messrs L. M. Isitt.,. M;P., A. E. G. Rhodes, A. Kave, Cecil Wood and J. C. Adams. In welcoming the guests Mr Holland said that the entertainment was in some way a recognition of the splendid way in-which the troops had behaved at ; the Kowai camp. He personally had seen the mud and„ slush in which. they had to work'and thought their work! was a matter for congratulation. The training was going to do the'men good. One lot of men had told him that they had had the time of their - live 3in camp. (Loud laughter applause). New Zealanders should not begrudge a.j little time for military training.! He hoped that at the next camp they would have a . better time. In the meantime lie wished everybody an enjoyable evening. Colonel Smyth, Officer Commanding the District", replied on behalf of / the men and conveyed the thanks of the troops to those who had organised the entertainment. He considered the recent training had been most important. I The men had acquired a good spirit. It i was owing to that that he was able to keep the camp going until the end which lie had greatly desired to do. The. men had had the pleasure of receiving the congratulations of General Hamilton and.General Godley. He, himself, was shortly going to England for a year but he hoped -that on his return he: would' find that the men of the Canterbury units had remembered the motto that .he had 'given them in camp—"Second 4o none in New Zealand.''' (Loud applause). Three hearty cheers were then givep' for the Mayor and citizens,V Colonel . Smyth and Mr T. Charters, the Secretary Of the gathering. / f " ■ The music for the'evening was supplied by the bands of the Ist .Infantry Regiment arid the Ist Mounted Rifles. Songs were also contributed by Messrs ,C. Joll, W. Joll, A. Scott, Captain Charters, arid Quartermaster-Sergeant Heald. Mr Vincent recited. Kinematograph pictures of military subjects, were also shown. Colonel Smyth, at the close of the evening, presented the Stead Shield "which had been won again by the Ist" (Canterbury)' Regiment for general efficiency in camp. - -