SOLDIER SOCIALS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 124, 7 March 1941, Page 3

SOLDIER SOCIALS

MEMBERS OF ASHBURTON CLUB; PRESENTATION LAST NICHT. There was a large attendance at a social tendered last evening to soldier members of tho Ashburton Club and M.S.A. The president (Mr W. H. Sarney) . presided. Each soldier member was presented with a money belt containing. a sum of money, and good wishes Were extended to them.' Among the guests were several other soldiers of the Borough and four airmen. The toasts included: “Navy, Army and Air Force,” proposed by Mr A. A. McDonald and replied to by Mr E. A. Cockroft (Area Commander of the Home Guard) and Colonel John Findlay, C. 8., D. 5.0.; “Returned Soldiers," proposed by Mr A. Bray and replied to by Mr H. C. Page; “Soldier Members,” proposed by the president and replied to bv several of the guests. Items on the, i musical- 'programme, were given by ' Messrs . A., C. , Wilson (who also conducted - a brief i community sing), G. Robertson, J. Moloney and - Young, Master Sparrow and the Ashburton Imperial Harmonica Band.

PRESENTATION AT EALING. A most enjoyable social was held in the Baling Library Hall on Tuesday evening in honour of Signaller A. H. Davis, of Akaroa, elder son of Mr and Mrs E. H. Davis and an old boy of the Ealing School. There was a large attendance of residents and friends from Hinds, Lowcliffe and Geraldine. On behalf of the Ealing Women’s Institute, Mrs K. J. Mackenzie (president presented’Mrs Davis with a posy of flowers in the national colours and conveyed to the guest of honour the best wishes of the Institute. Mr H. O. B. Withell (president of the Soldiers’ Presentation Committee) congratulated Mr and Mrs Davis Tipon having two sons in the Army, Bombardier Morgan Davis being now in Egypt. On behalf of residents he presented Signaller Davis with an inscribed fountain pen and ever-sharp pencil and a soldier’s hold-all, wishing him Godspeed and a safe return. Mrs W Giddings (president of the Ladies’ Patriotic Guild and an exteacher of the school) congratulated the guest of honour on the sacrifice he was making for his country and handed to him a complete outfit of hand-knit-ted woollen comforts with the best wishes of the ladies for liis speedy return. . Mr J. Jones, referring in complimentary terms to the good influence of the school, assured Signaller Davis of the lasting friendship and goodwill of his old comrades. The congratulations and good wishes of the returned soldiers were added by •Mr J. C. Guinness. When Signaller Davis had replied, Mrs Davis spoke, after which the audience sang “There’ll Always ho an England” and “God Save the King.” A bountiful supper was provided by the ladies and dancing was enjoyed to music by Dahourn’s Orchestra, with Mr Ray (Good as M.C. • TWO MEN AT LOWCLIFFE Private Grahame and Gunner S. Ownsworth were the guests of honour at a. largely-attended social in tho Lowcliffe -School on "Wednesday evening. The evening was spent in. dancing and. a 500 tournament. The Coldstream Harmonica Band supplied music for the dancing, Miss G. Ownsworth playing an extra. The chairman (Mr E. Barnes) presented each soldier with a money belt and wished them God speed and a safe and speedy return. Parcels wore handed to tho men by Mrs .Reddecliffe and Mrs Mcßae on behalf of the Women’s Institute and the Red Cross Society respectively.