DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15723, 17 October 1916, Page 10

DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

VARIOUS PRESENTATIONS

There was a fair attendance of resi-

I dents at the Town Hall, Dunsandel, on I Friday evening to bid iarewoll to Pri- ! rate T. liardmg, who was down on final leave. Tho liev. J. S. Reid occupied tho chair. A good programme wa« given by the following:—Misses M. Mcyuarters, K. Rollo, A. Johnston, S. Brcnan, and N. Rcid, Rev. B. Scott, and Mr H. R. Owers. Mrs Delargey was the accompanist. On behalf of the residents, the chairman presented the guest with a money belt containing one half sovereign and a pocket wallet. Private Harding briefly responded. Refreshments wcro provided by the ladies. Private Fred West-enra, well-known to visiting oarsmon from Christehurch, ns one of Akaroa's senior representatives in ante-war days, has been down from Trontham on final leave. Ho spent a week with his people, and left on Saturday morning. Prior to his departure. Private Westonra was ' presented by tho Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Akaroa, with a pip® aQ d smoker's companion, and was 6ent off with the cordial good wishes of the town.

On Thursday night) in tho Oxford Town Hall, a"social was tendered to Messrs P. and F. Fisher, two soldiers on leave. ' Though not now resident in- the district, they were down seeing , their friends before departing for the front. Mr 3>. • Hawko presided, and addresses wero given by tho Rev. IX Rankin'and Mr 'i<» t Wateon, the latter jnaking a presentation on behalf of tho Patriotic Committee. Suppor was provided, and a pleasant evening was spent. . . . East week a send-off was accorded Troopers E. and G. Burgess, Reg. Brown, F. Hayward, and McGregor, who are homo on final leavo, by tho residents of Staveley... A short programme was submitted, and each of the soldiers was presented with a safety razor- A vote of sympathy was accorded to those in the district whoso relatives have fallen or had been wounded. A very successful social was held in the Mead schoolroom on Friday night in order to give a hearty farewell to Private D. Cornelius, who was on final leavo from {he 19th Reinforcements. On bohalf of tho Mead residents Mr W. Fairweather presented Private Cornelius with a pipe and complete shaving outfit, and hearty cheers were given the recipient. The floor was in good order, and dancing was kept up till two o'clock. The music was supplied by Messrs W. Shellock and R. Fagan, and Mr P. Benbow aetcd as M.C. A socia] gathering was held in Barr Hill School on Friday evening to bid good-bye to three young men, who havo volunteered for active service at

the front—Messrs O. Wilkie, M. Molloy, and H. H. Smth. There was a large attendance, and Mr A. Boyd presided. On behalf of the residents of the district, Mr W. J. Dickie, M.P.,

made a presentation of an illuminated watch, suitably engraved, to each of the departing soldiers. During tho evening Mrs Dickie, in a fine speech, unveiled a roll of honour, on which are tho names of fourteen men, who aro now at the front.

A number of members of the. Richmond Amateur Swimming Club met last evening to bid farewell to Sergeant K. Butters, a member of the Club, who is leaving with the 19th. and is now on final leave. Mr E. Hldridge, in making the presentation °f a safety razor, referred to the good qualities of Sergeant Butters as a member of the club, and wished him Godspeed and a safe return. Mr F. Fan-i tham also spoke, and Sergcaut Butters returned thanks.

Last night the members of the Rangiora, Volunteer Fire Brigade entertained Senior Foreman T. Crestney, who is about to 'leave for camp, at a smoke

concert. In proposing tho health of Mr Crestney, Superintendent Tyler said that the guest was doing nioro than his duty in leaving a wife and two children to go to fight for his country. The Brigade were losing one of its best officers. and one who had been with them for 11 years. He bade Foreman Crestney God-speed and a safe return, and presented? him with » wristlet watch and a money-belt. On behalf of the Borough Council, the Mayor (Mr C. I. Jennings) presented the guest with a case of military brushes and a cigarette case, and remarked that the name of Crestney had been known and respected for very many years in Rangiora. It was a pleasure to do honour to one of ihe familv on such an occasion. Musical items were riven by Messrs O. Keir. F. Myers. D. Me.hrtens, .T. Taylor. W. .T. Rouse, and F. Mitchell.