KATIKATI.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6670, 19 April 1916, Page 4

KATIKATI.

(From a Correspondent.)

A most enjoyable concert, followed by a dunce, was held in the Hall on Wednesday, 12th inst., the occasion being to extend a public welcome to two of our boys, Willie Young und Harry Passfield, who hav*e returned from the battlefield at Gallipcli and the heioic but fatal landing at Anzac Bay. Privates W Young and H. Passfield have recently been undsr treatment at Bethnal Green Hospital,* London. The former ia on leave, expiring next month r when he returns to active service, hut the latter has been medically pronounced as incapacitated, and informed me that he had that day received his discharge from the service on a pension of 17s 6a per week. Mr Vesey Stewart occupied the chair, and was supported by the Key. W. Herbert Rattry, the Vicar of Katikati.

The chairman, in opening the pro- ! ceedings and extending a sincere and hearty welcome to their two guests delivered a partiotic address, which was very warmly received by a closelypacked hall; in fact, I-do not remember on any previous occasion having seen the building so well filled. The concert was opened by a solo by Miss Frodsham, followed by songs by Mr Beagrie, Miss Henry, Mr Evan Morgan (Waihi), Mrs Maurice Jones (of, Pteroa), Miss Day (of Tauranga) Mr MoLoavy (of Waihi)< and Miss Petersen. The school children, ! armed with miniature rifles ar.d attired in improvised military uniforms, went through evolutions on the stage, Mrs Mackay presiding at the piano. After an interval, the children again appeared on the stage and as tableaux vivants, fairly brought down the house, reflecting the greatest credit on themselves and on Mrs and Mr Mackay (the teacher of No. 1 School). The concert concluded with a duet from Mrs T. Rea acd Mr Beagrie, songs frcm Mrs Maurice Jones and Mr Evan Morgan. Mesdames Mackay, Rattry, and Rea and Mademoiselles Day, Frodiharo and Sbanaley presided at the piano. It appears to be almost invidious to refer to any of the performers, but Mrs Maurice Jones, who is well known in New Zealand for her rich contralto voice, was vehemently encored; also, Messrs Morgan and McLeay: nor should omit reference to local talent in the person of Mr Beagrie, who, at the specißl request by the Chairman, gave us "A Long Way to Tipperary." The concert programme having been concluded, Privates Young and Passfield were called up* on the platform, when, the Chairman, in feeling terms, presented to each of the Arzac Bay heroe3 a gold medallion bearing on on 3 side the following inscription: "Presented to Private Young (or Passfield) by the residents of Katikati." T£e reverse side v,a3 inscribed: "Anzac Bay, April 25, 1915." Rev. Mr Rattry then moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairmsn, the performers at tbe concert, and to the lecal committee. The vote vvr.s crried by acclamation. Then followed the singing of the National Antheni, to tbe accompanyinent. at tie piano by Mrs Mackay. Supper and hot tea were then handed round by a large number of waiters of both sexes, ci d the good things having been tins safely deposited, the room was epee\iily cleared for dancing, which was kept up with great vigour .till the early rnurs of the following morning.

Mr John Martinsen was hon. secretary to the committee/ar.d, with the members thereof, deserves the greetest credit andVheartv thanks of our community for the success of the entertainment, which realised over £17, which I am informed is to be paid over to the Chßplains' Fund at the front.

; We hear now a great deal from all quarters of New Zealand in support of honouring the name of Anzac Bay— and most rightly too —but we do not forget the remark mads by your worthy Mayor at the opening ceremony of the wharf and shelter home at our miniature Anzac Bay, Katikati Heads, when he rigthly said that Katikati was the first place in Few Zealand that took up this idea of nomenclature.

Miss Day, of Tauranga, our acting Postmistress, m the absence of Miss Dunne on leave, has earned golden opinions here, and has proved "herself to be not only most intelligent but courteous an d obliging in the discharge of her official duties.