Welcome Home at Colyton.

Feilding Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 25, 27 July 1901, Page 2

Welcome Home at Colyton.

The Colyton Town Hall was crowded to overflowing last evening on the occasion of the social and dance to returned Troopers Lankshear and Hills. Although the energetic committee and Mr Gibson, the secretary, did their utmost to make patrons comfortable, there were a large number of persons who had to stand, so large was the gathering. When the Feilding contingent arrived they had to be content with looking through the doorway until room was made for them. The interior of the Hall was exceedingly pretty, being decorated with a large array of bunting, greenery, lanterns, etc. The stage, as viewed from the rear of the Hall, looked very artistic, the decorations blending harmoniously. At the foot of the stage the beautifullyilluminated and framed addresses, specially procured for presentation to the returned soldiers, stood, and were the objects of much admiration.

In the midst of all this gaiety, on looking to either side of the platform, one felt a thrill of sympathy, for there stood two addresses, beautifully designed in black and gold, and framed in the same colors. These were for presentation to the parents of the late Troopers Anderson and Harrison.

The concert programme was a very creditable portion of a most successful function. There were so many items to go through that it was deemed advisable not to allow encores, and this decision was stringently adhered to, with the exception of a trio, " Three Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue," by Misses Simpson (2) and Pleasants. Owing to the late arrival of the Feilding Drum and Fife Band their overture number could not be given. The following ladies and gentlemen contributed songs, and in so doing helped in no small degree towards making the social the undoubted success it was : —

Misses Simpson (2), Stewart, Fisher, and Pleasants ; Mesdames Wilson, Ashforth, and Carey ; Messrs Tong, Ranby, Revington-Jones, and G. Thomas. The Fife Band also assisted, and contributed several wellplayed selections.

At the conclusion of the social light refreshments were handed round, the band again favoring the audience with their excellent music. After all those present had partaken of the good viands so thoughtfully provided for their benefit, the hall was cleared, and the second half of the programme commenced The hall, arrayed in its festive attire, "made an excellent ball-room, and dancing was kept up, by a large number, with vigor, until the early hours of this morning.

During the interval in the first part of the entertainment, the several guests were presented w r ith their addresses by Mr Owen Pleasants. The ones for the returned troopers were disposed of first, and in presenting them Mr Pleasants said ; " We have met here to-night in order to perform what is a very great pleasure. It it is always a pleasure to welcome anyone home, but when we come to welcome returned troopers home, it is a very great pleasure indeed." Here Mr Pleasants related some very interesting experiences of prominent men concerned in the present war. Before handing the addresses to the recipients, Mr Pleasants said that he did not think the gifts were more than the men deserved.

This drew forth from a person in the hall the remark, " Not half good enough," and the assembled people broke into loud applause.

Trooper Lankshear, in responding first, said he thanked the people of the district very much for their kind-. ness and their hearty welcome back. He went to South Africa to do his duty, and he thought he had done it. As the speaker resumed his seat the audience loudly applauded.

Trooper Hills followed, and said he thanked them (the assemblage) for their hearty welcome. Although he had been away from home for fifteen months, he was very glad to see that he had not been forgotten. If the occasion arose he would again go to South Africa, but as he felt more at home on the veldt with the Boers sniping at him than addressing such a large number of people, he thought he had better sit down.

Three ringing cheers were then given, for the returned troopers.

The addresses to the returned men were handsomely illuminated and printed in several colors, while the frames were of gold.