A WELCOME HOME

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 112, 11 May 1917, Page 7

A WELCOME HOME

Commercial friends of Corporal J. M. Earle, who recently returned from active sendee, .where he was severely wounded, gathered at the Burlington last evening at a cordial "welcome home." All parts of the district were represented, two of those present (Messrs.. P. E. ./Kent and W. E. Davies) coming from as far away as Pongaroa for., the occasion. Mr. M. Carr—who had the unpleasant experience of being a prisoner of war in Germany —presided, and .in proposing the health of the, guest of the evening expressed the great ""pleasure they all felt at the return of one of the mo_st popular of men in local commercial circles, and their appreciation of what he and his comrades had done in the great conflict. Mr. Can- also spoke inspiringly of what should be done by " the men who stayed at home"; no sacrifice could be tcjo great .for the men who were prepared to lay down their lives in the fight for freedom. On behalf of the company, the Chairman presented Corporal Earle with a gold watch for liis little son, Master F. M. Earle—" something which he will be proud to wear in the days to come in honour of his soldier father." After the toast had been honoured .with much enthusiasm, Corporal Earle expressed his deep appreciation 1, of his friends' thoughtfulness, and spoke interestingly of his experiences on active service. The toast of " Our Boys at the Front" was proposed by Mr. John M'Eldowney, and responded to" by two' returned soldiers — Messrs. Clutha Mackenzie and Guy Lennard—who, like Mr. Eai'le, have come back bearing lifelong marks of war. The " welcome home " was a most cheerful and bright one, and the pleasure of the evening was enhanced by the admirable concert programme arranged by Mr. E. J. Hill, who was assisted by Messrs. H. F. Wood, V. M'Kenzie, T. Queree, Peak, and John Phillpott.