DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15700, 20 September 1916, Page 10

DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

YA.KIOUS PRESENTATIONS,

j A farewell social was tendered in the • Aylesbury Schoolroom to Frank Harv.ood and Robert Smith, who are leaving for Tmitham. Several tongs were given i>ctwcen tiic (iancc*. Mr Belg;ravo presented, the guests with a wristlet watch each, and wished them God-speed. A pleasant evening was concluded by the singing of "Auld Lang Sync." On Monday evening the members of , the Ashburton Scottish Pipe Band and i a number of friends visited the residenco of Mr John McKonzie for the purpose of making him ;> presentation on the 'eve of hi<Tdepart tir<; for Tientham. "A wee Scotch nicht" was spent, and the party broke up with cheers for Air and Mrs McKenzie. At the Oddfellows' Hall. Akaroa, on Friday night, Privates John lirucc and Ernest Woodill, who are down on final leave from Trent-ham, were with suitable parting gifts trom the. citizens. In making the presentation, the Mayor (Mr Goo. Armstrong) re■rrcd to the splendid record of Akaroa ith resnect to enlistments. He euloiscd the spirit, that prompted the boys o answer the call of duty before con-.-ription forced them into tho ranks. Private Wooaill, in reply, thanked the Mayor for his kindly remarks and the citizens for their gifts, and said further that his comrade and he would do their best to be. soldiers worthy of the town. Hearty cheers were then given for the two men. A large gathering of people assembled at the Tai Tapu Hall to honour Sergeant A. Harnett, Corporal Peryman, Privates D. Norquay, J. Borwick and G. Wilton, of tho 18th Reinforcements. Captain It. Macartney presided, and Colonel the Hon. 11. Hcaton Rhodes was also present. Tributes were paid to the guests by thc Revs. Hill, Metson and Redgrave, Mr R. A. Forbes and the chairman, after which Colonel Rhodes made an appropriate speech, and, on behalf of the residents, presented each of the soldiers with a gold medal, suitably inscribed, and also one for Private G. Holmes, who was unable to be present. Sergeant Bnrnott iej sponded on behalf of the recipients. A ! musical programme was contributed to jby Mrs Nelson, Mrs Brown, Misses Lawlor, Nottingham and Andrews, ! Messrs H. Watson, Withers, and Master Williams. Misses Lawlor and Tanner played the accompaniments. After supper dancing was carried on, tho music being supplied bv Mr J. Heinzrannn. The Conrtenay School was crowded to overflowing on Monday evening, when the residents gathered to bid farewell to Messrs T. Hi ley and R. Roper, who have offered their services for the front. Dancing, interspersed with songs, was kept up till thc early hours, the followinc contributing to tho programme Mesdames J. H. Bedford and G. A. Bedford, Misses Dobson, Hooker, E. Wilsteed, E. McNae, G. Robertson, Colee and Turner, and Messrs J. H. Bedford, MeAnulty and llev. P. Revell. Mr G. T. Robertson, in a very. appropriate speech, presented each of the guests on bohalf of those present with a hold-all, a money-belt, a pocketwallet, and a combined knife, fork and spoon. Mr Roper, in addition, was the recipient of a hand-bag from Mr and Mrs J. H. Bedford. Th# music for tho dance was supplied gratuitously by Mrs Moffatt, Misses P. Belgrave, E. Turner. E. McNae, C. Robertson and Mr E. Guiney. The ladies of the district provided an excellent supper, and a most enjoyable evening was concluded with cheers for the guests, and also for Mr and Mrs Roper, sen.