WELCOME TO TROOPER MOIR.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1539, 2 August 1901, Page 5

WELCOME TO TROOPER MOIR.

[From Oub Own Correspondent.]

A very large number of people gathered in the Ratanui School on Friday evening to welcome Trooper J. Y. Moir, a member of the Fifth Contingent, on his return home from South Africa, also a mate of Trooper Moir's— Trooper Fraser. Mr John White, chairman of committee, in opening, said it was a great pleasure to pieside over such a meeting, and to extend a hearty welcome to Trooper Moir—the heartiest and most cordial welcome to one who had done bis duty to help to maintain the honour and freedom of the Empire.—(Applause.) It was now close on 17 months since they had their social in sending Trooper Moir away. While they all rejoiced in his safe return, they sympathised with those who to-day mourned over the absence of some loved one who fills a soldier's grave on the veldt of South Africa. He concluded with a few remarks on the work done in South Africa by our boys.-(Loud cheers.) T " e P°" oW ' n ß programme was gone through: Selection," The conquering hero," Tahakopa band (much praise is due to the bandsmen for coming so far on roads such as we have here); organ selection, Miss J. Glass; song, Mr W. Carlton ; song, •' The song that will live for ever." Mrs Henderson; song, " Sing, birdie, sing," Mr J. Findlater; song, "Bold soldier boy," Mr P. Shaw; song, " Over the garden wall," Mr J. Robb, jun.; comic song, Mrs P. Shaw; song, "Roses underneath the snow," Mi F. Pollock ; reading, Miss Bella White; song, " Home, sweet home," company. After an interval of a few minutes, refreshments were handed round, and met with full justice. The band then played a selection. The Chairman at this stage said that Trooper Moir's friends in Batanui and the surrounding district had made up their minds that they were not to allow the occasion to pass without presenting him with a token of their appreciation of his services, and of their thankfulness for his safe return home.—(Applause,) He, therefore, in the name of these friends, presented him with a gold albert and pendant, and expressed the hope that he would long be spared to wear it. —(Loud cheers.) Trooper Moir then thanked them all for their gift, which he said he would always wear and prize as a mark of their kindness to him.—(Applause.) Three cheers were then given for Trooper Moir and his mate—Trooper Fraser. Mr Axelsen gave a very impressive and appropriate address.

The remainder of the programme was then proceeded with. Fong, " Heart bowed down," Mrs Henderson ; comic song, Mr Eobb, senr.; reading, Mr Davis; song, Mr T. F. Johnston; recitation, "Livingston," Mrs Henderson; song, " Eillarney," Mr Guthrie; final song, " Home, boys, home." Miss J. Glass acted as accompanist in her usual efficient manner. Trooper Fraser gave a short speech relating some of their doings in South Africa. A short address was also given by Mr T. F. Johnston of Tahakopa. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and those who helped in making the evening a success.

The school was then cleared for dancing, which was kept up with great vigour until early morning. The music was supplied by Messrs Henderson and Calder (violins), and Ollerenshaw (cornet); and R. Crews made a very efficient M.C.