TROPHY FROM 'WEBBY?

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 131, 30 November 1939, Page 18

TROPHY FROM 'WEBBY?

PRESENTATION AT TRENTHAM

SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED

"Webby",; was the affectionate ; nickname .bestowed by, the soldiers; of the lastjwar: on Mrs. Q. .Webb, ; v whdse gen'--erosity to men in camp in the Taihape and Mangaweka districts was much appreciated. "Webby" this year has again came to the fore and as secretary of the Official Camp Entertainers is proving as popular, and efficient as she was:

in the Great War period. • Last night, in a brief formal interval between items in a concert at Trentham Military Camp, the cup presented to Mrs. Webb by returned soldiers on their return to New Zealand, was handed to the camp commandant by Mr. Martin Luckie on her - behalf.

"Mrs. Webb desires me to .present this cup back to those people who gave it, or from the diggers of 1919 to those of 1939," Mr. Luckie said. As president of the Official Camp Entertainers he had been asked, by the ex-

ecutive to present the cup' to Major Hunt for competition among the men. "I hope," the speaker told the men, "that you will com^ back safely.from your great adventure to belong to that most honoured and exclusive society, the Returned Soldiers' Association." Major Hunt, on behalf of all ranks, thanked Mrs. -Webb for her remarkable gesture of generosity and presented the trophy to Lieut.-Colonel F. S. Varnham, of the 19th Wellington Battalion for competition among the soldiers of that unit. The colonel,' in thanking Mrs; Webb, said that the battalion wherever it went, would value the trophy, and would bring it back safely to New Zealand. In response to a call from a soldier in the body of the hall three cheers were given' Mrs. Webb, who was also accorded musical honours. -, An additional vote of thanks was passed by the Minister of Defence (Mr. F. Jones), who, with Mrs. Jones, had arrived shortly before the presentation. .He also congratulated the executive of the 0.C.E., and the pcr T formers for. providing an excellent programme. Mrs. Dennistoun-Wood organiser of the Camp Entertainers, had previously welcomed the Minister and introduced tJ/i executive, Mrs. H. Millar, Mrs. Webb, . Messrs. Martin Luckie, W. S. Wauchop, E. E. Dean, and David Devitt. She also spoke of the deep debt of gratitude owed to Mr.. Batt and Mr. Sutherland •of the Automobile Association, for through their courtesy and the assistance of car owners the 60'ncerts had been made possible. y MANY ITEMS. Whistles, stamps, cheers, and prolonged applause proved beyond doubt that the men enjoyed the concert. The burden of the programme fell on the able shoulders of the.Bohemian' Choir- under the leadership of . Mr. Gladstone Hill. The first item, "March of the Grenadiers," with Ena Rapley as soloist, was as popular as the last, "God Defend New Zealand," although it was the chorus, "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life/ which was accorded the most enthusiastic reception. , The soloist, Miss Rapley, possesses a remarkably fine voice, and had to respond to frequent encores. The choir, with.Mr; W. Diggle, as soloist, : presented variety: in "Holy City," and this was as much appreciated as the popular "Little Sir Echo" and "Persian Market." Other soloists were Miss Eva Bennett, Mr. Bert Hickford, Mr.. Jack BarloNv, Miss Leslie Hall, and Mr. George Thompson. .

Humorous, recitations by Miss IJorothy Seymour, piano solos by Mr. Eric Bell, and a, snappy tap ballet by pupils of Miss. Marjorie Newport were also featured on the programme. Mr. Bell played the accompaniments. The "gagging" of Mr. John Morris, "Crazy Clarry," was much appreciated throughout the evening.

Car owners who provided transportation for the party were Mrs. Berryman, Mrs. Griffiths,' Mrs. Me-. Gillivray, Mrs. Toog, Miss Wilson, Miss Madden, Miss Walker, Mr.. Len Blundell, Mr. E; W. Chapman, Mr. Warburton, and Mr. Scotland.