WELCOME HOME.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1208, 19 November 1919, Page 5

WELCOME HOME.

: The local Town Hall was well, filled ou Monday, lOfcb. inst., on the occasion of the Welcome Home extended to several returned soldiers. The guests honoured wore Rifleman; Jack Tohill, Privates W. Carlinc, Len Sanders, L. Deviney, H. W. Nind. These, with their parents and relatives, were accommodated on the platform which was decorated for the occasion with flags. The Mayor (Mr W. Black) presided over the large gathering. Solos were tendered by Mrs Tohill, Miss Gladstone, Messrs Mitchell and Loasby. Recitations by Mrs Cowie and Miss Berry, musical monologue Miss Brown, and pianoforte solo -.Miss Eivers. Mrs O'Kaue, Miss Rivers and Miss Grant acted as accompanists. The chairman in welcoming the guests back to their homes, expressed the pleasure it was to have with them Private Len Sanders. Len had been a cot case on his arrival back in Jfew Zealand, and had been for some considerable time in the Duuedin Hospital. They were all jmrtieularly pleased to know that lie-was able to be home and be with them that.night. Rifleman J. Tohill had brought back with him a wife and baby son. and he extended to Mrs Tohill and the little Tohill a hearty welcome to Alexandra. He called on Mrs Black and Mrs Dcwar to present several of the local a-eturned hoys with medals -. —Len. -Sanders, 3. Tohill} W Carline, F. Baekholm, W. Backholiii. Rifleman J. Tohill in reply thanked the citizens, on behalf of himself and his mates, for the'hearty welcome home. They were all glad to be back. They desired to acknowledge the splendid services of the local Women's Patriotic Association, who sent them parcels when abroad on active service, and they also thanked the public 'for giving the Women's Association the wherewithal to send these parcels. H<j could not say too much in appreciation of the services of Mrs. Dewar and the other ladies for their untiring efforts. He would liko to add for the sake of his comrades who were maimed and less able to battle for themselves in-the future, that it was up to the public to support only those candidates who would do the fair thing- by these returned soldiers. Ho thanked the gathering; for the kindly welcome to Mrs Tohill (Voice: Don't forget the little chap—laughter) , . Supper was provided by the Women's Patriotic Association, after which the floor was cleared for the dance, music being supplied by Mr J. Harley, and Miss Grant, Miss Bowler and/ Mrs Smith. : - ~-..

Mr W. Bowler acted as doorkeeper.