RETURNED MEN AT HOKITIKA

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22141, 10 July 1937, Page 11

RETURNED MEN AT HOKITIKA

QUARTERLY GENERAL MEETING ADDRESS BY CORONATION CONTINGENT MEMBER A welcome to Mr W. Eastgate, a member of the New Zealand Coronation contingent, who lias recently returned to Hokitika, was extended at the quarterly general meeting of the Hokitika Returned Soldiers' Association. Mr W. E. Brown presided, and he welcomed Mr Eastgate.

Mr Eastgate presented to the association a piece of bunting, representing the King's colours that had been suspended across the Strand on the Coronation Day. They had had a wonderful time, he said. He particularly mentioned Lord Nuffield and General Godley, both of whom did everything possible to entertain the contingent. General Godley was with them nearly every day and seemed to take great pride in his association with the New Zealand troops. The training of the men in England was comprised, principally, of a ninemile march each morning. The food in camp was the usual army issue, and was quite satisfactory. They had plenty of leave in the afternoons and at night. Coronation Day was a very strenuous time, and the New Zealand and Rhodesian troops were the only two contingents that did not lose any men during the day, the strain being very severe. The day was commenced _at 4 a.m., and the troops were kept going all day until about 5 p.m. After 6.30 p.m. they joined in the celebrations in London. The next day all the colonial troops, 1400 in number, were paraded at Buckingham Palace, where they were inspected by King George and presented with Coronation medals. In his opinion, the Canadian Mounted were the "show" troops at the Coronation. They were a very smart body. "The uniforms of the New Zealand troops were a sore point with our men, and were a decided contrast to the tailor-made uniforms of all the troops in the procession," said Mr Eastgate. It was the regulation issue with the regulation boots, and although the English papers complimented the New Zealand troops on their bearing, much criticism was levelled at their dress. The former servicemen of the contingent were very disaonointed that their tour did not extend to France, he said, and 'the only satisfaction they could obtain was that lack of finance would not permit it. They were also disappointed in not seeing anything of Mr Savage during their stay in England.

RUGBY FOOTBALL AT WESTPORT BULLER TO PLAY NELSON ON JULY 24 The Nelson Rugby Union has notified its acceptance of the Bullsr union's invitation to play a friendly game against Buller. at Westport on July 24. BASKETBALL AT WESTPORT Basketball matches played at Westport on Thursday evening resulted as follows:—Technical High School 15,-St. Mary's Old Girls 2; Athletic A 6, St. Mary's College B 4; Rangers B 11, Athletic B 4. WESTPORT PERSONAL NOTES Miss E. Mumm, of St. Helens, has returned from a holiday In Auckland and Napier. Mrs Holdgate has returned from a visit to Timaru. The Misses Mitchell, of Auckland, are visiting their brother at Westport. Miss Jean Chamberlain has joined the nursing staff of the Buller Hospital.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH AT REEFTON The Canterbury League representative team, which will travel to the West Coast this week-end, will play against Inangahua representatives at Reefton on Sunday. The following have been chosen to play for Reefton: —T. McKenzie, R. Mitchell, N. Kiely, R. McDougall, P. Scott (captain), W. Clark, C. Wade, J. McManus, R. Morris, W. Hart, F. Jackson, E. Chandler, J. Fox; emergencies, L. McLennan, W. Cutbush, G. Richards, D. Robertson. Eddie Holder, who is visiting the West Coast on holiday, and who is playing for the Wigan Club in England, will take the field if it is possible to obtain permission for him to play. Under Holder's contract with the Wigan Club it is not possible for him to play in New Zealand without the permission of the club, and the Reefton League Centre has cabled for permission. Holder will replace Clark if he plays. WARDEN'S COURT AT REEFTON

At the Warden's Court at Reefton the following applications were heard by Mr R. Ferner, S.M., presiding as warden:—Consolidated Gold Fields of New Zealand, for a special site licence —granted; T. A. Blair, for an ordinary prospecting licence—granted; C. McMasters and others, for leave to surrender a coal lease —accepted; Consolidated Gold Fields of New Zealand, for two ordinary prospecting licences—both recommended.

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

MOKIHINUI Mrs Kidd presided at the monthly meeting of the Mokihinul Women's Institute. Miss Fleming was appointed treasurer in place of Miss Corby, who is leaving the district. The monthly competitions resulted as follows:—Best crochet doyley: Mrs Simpson 1, Miss Goulding 2, Mrs A. Mulholland 3. Posy from unusual material: Mrs A. Mulholland 1. Mrs Harlen 2 and 3. Bed jacket: Miss L. Coleman 1. The hostesses were Mesdames Kidd and Simpson.

DANCE AT SEDDONVILLE A social club which has been formed at Seddonville held the first evening in Mumm's Hall. Games, dancing, and community singing were held. Piano-accordion items were given by Mr Mason, of Westport. The winners of the competitions were as follows:—Bean waltz. Mrs A. Mulholland and Mr Curry; donkey competition, Miss Kearns and Mr Alex. Steele; parcel game, Mr Niven; lucky spot waltz, Mrs Daw and Mr W, Kelly.