DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15793, 8 January 1917, Page 4

DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

VABIOI'S PRESENTATIONS

The residents of Doyleston tendered a smoke concert to Rifleman Moorhead and Privates C. Tod.' M. Kelly. R. W. Dawson, and B. Maw, and Trooper R. Ritchie, al! of whom were on final leave, and to Private Eric Clark, a returned soldier. Mr W. O. Rennie presided, and on behalf of the residents presented each man with a wristlet watch. At Southbridge E. R. Barnett and IVivutes W. Beamsley. i. Ward, W. Niven. H. G. Hubbard, and W. Breeze were entertained at a social in the Town Hall. Songs were sung bv Mrs W. Loehhead and Misses Prebble and Thompson, the music for the dancing being supplied by Miss Thompson and Mr C. Thompson. Addresses were given hy the Revs. G. Lindsay and 11. (J. Hawkins, and on behalf of the Patriotic Committee. Mr _ Hawkins presented each soldier with a safety razor. Wo also handed each man a soldier's kir from the St. James's Red Cross Guild. The Rev. Lindsay presented Private Hubbard with a money belt from the Southbridge Bandage Brigade.

Lance-Corpoial James MeVinnic and Privates It. 0. McMillan and G. Gulliver were the guests at a social held at Lees ton under the auspices of the Patriotic Committee, the chairman' of which, Dr. Volekman. handed a safety razor to Private McMillan and a pipe in case each to Eance-Corporal McVinnie and Private Gulliver. Mrs Donald played for the dance. and Miss Brooks contributed a song. At. Killinchy La nee-Corporal McVinnio. ?nd Privates W. Weavers. A. Hands. R. W. Dawson. H. Hansen. C. Tod. and It. Power were caeh presented with a service kit and set of military brushes hy Mr J. F. O'Brien at a social held in the Public Hall. Privates J. I>. 'Brown and A. Bucklev and Rifleman Moorhead "were presented with money belts and writing outfits at Brookside. and Privates -I. l>eahy and R. Thiau received presents from the people of Lakeside. . There wag a large attendance at. the Westerfield School on Friday evening when a farewell was given to LanceCorporal Keith Campbell and Private Frank Dellow. Mr Coward presided, and a most enjoyable programme was carried out. During the. evening each soldier was presented with a safety razor. After supper had been partaken of a dance was held. On Fridav evening a social and dance was held in the Mend schoolroom in honour of the soldiers of the district who are home on final leave. Mr Fairw eathcr presided, and on bohalf of the residents presented each of the soldiers —Privates Benbow, Prontice, McKinnon. and Ragg—with a razor and strop and a pipe, and in doing so said that practically all the men of the district who were eligible for service had enlisted voluntarily. Supper was served, and was followed by a dance. On Thursday the members of the To Tawera Junior Lodge. No. 4, 1.0.0. F., and their friends, met in the Oddfellows' Hall, Selwvn street, to bid farewell to Bro. W. A. Toon, who is leaving for the front with the 22nd Reinforcements. Items were contributed by Sister Baxter, Miss Greenlees, Bros. R-attra.v, sen. and Jan., Bro. Hand, Messrs CulleU, J. Gillespie, atid C. Coates. During the evening Bro. Simmons, of Washington Lodge, presented Bro. Toon, on behalf of the Te Tawera Lodge, with a moneybelt and pocket-wallet. Refreshments were handed .round.

The hall at Mairehau was packed to the doors on Thursday night, when a send-off social was given to Private E. Briggs, 'of the 21st Reinforcements, who was down on final leave. The first part of the function was a splendid programme given by the following: —Mesdames P. Brown and F. Hughes, Misses Law, Wells, D. Beck, R. Fuller, McDonald, E. Beck, Bradford (2), Maxwell, Messrs A. Wells, S. McDonald, King, Sutherland, and Private Briggs. The programme was greatly appreciated, as nearly every item was encored. At the conclusion •of the programme, the chairman (Mr W. J. Walter), on behalf of the Mariehau residents, presented a handsome case of pipes, bearing a silver-plate inscribed: "Presented to Private E. Briggs, from the public of Mairebau. 4-1-17." In his speech, Mr Walter, referred 'to tbe interest Private Briggs had taken in patriotic affairs in Mairehau. and wished him good luck and a safe and speedy return. When Private Briggs rose to reply, he was received- with vociferous cheering, and the audience rose and sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and gave three ringing cheers for his mother, who has now two sons in khaki. Private J. Briggs left New Zealand about five months ago, and is now in the firing-line in France. Dancing was indulged in. Mr J. L. Parish acted as M.C., and Misses G. Bailey and A. Fuller supplied the music. A very enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the audience forming a ring, with Privato Briggs. hi s wife, and mother in the centre, and singing "Auld Lang Syne."

Lance-Corporal Liggins ami Trooper Gray, two old Btirwood schoolboys, were bidden farewell on Friday night in the local hall. Mr Davidson, headmaster, presented each with a well-filled pnrse on behalf of the residents, and during the course of his remarks mentioned that of two former scholars at the front. Nurse Jimily Hodges bad been a participant in the recent New Tear's Day honours, and Captain Wray had gamed the Distinguished Service Medal.

On Friday evening a social and dance was held in tbe Mead schoolroom, in honour of the soldiers of that district who are home on final leave. The names of the soldiers arc:—Privates Benbow, Prentice, McKinnon, and Ilagg. There wa s a record attendance, and although the evening was very warm, dancing was indulged in for a considerable time. Tho music was supplied by Miss Shannon and Messrs R. Fag an.' Fairweather. and L. Weaver. After supper. Mr Fairweather. on behalf of tbe residents of the Mead, presented each of the soldiers with a razor, a strop, and pipe. He wished them a speedy trip and a safe return. He also stated that practically all the men of that district who were eligible for service had enlisted voluntarily. Private Benbow on behalf of himself and his comrades, thanked the people for their good wishes and presents .and called on his comrades for three cheers for tho residents of the Mead. Th© singing of "'For They are Jolly Good Fellows" brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.