ROLL OF HONOUR.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 February 1917, Page 5

ROLL OF HONOUR.

' BOARD UNVEILED AT REEFTON fy' . A very pleasing ceremony tbok r place <at the band room, Rooftop, on Tuesday oven- ’ ing, when (lie Band’s Roll of Honour was unveiled; The band room was very .gaily ’ and appropriately decorated by Bandsman Stokes, and reflected great credit on that gentleman. •„ . . ,ln the absence of the County Chairman, the chair was taken by, Mr R. Wills, president of the baud, who apologised for . the County Chairman’s absence, and also - read and apology from Mr Sc’antleburv. The proceedings opened with a most an- . propriate selection by the band, which [ introduced the National Anthems of the Allies, 'and was much enjoyed. Mr H, C. , Castle, C patron, then ad-, dressed the gathering, and said it gave him ~bpth pleasure and sadness, to be present on such an occasion—-pleasure in that 1 they were met to honour thpse who had ■voluntarily gone to fight for ns, for home, wives and children, and sadness when .we thought of all the misery, grief, and op- . • pression which would be ours if our enemy was not put down; and touched upon the bravery of our nien as shown in Gallipoli, Mesopotamia and Frame. ■ Mr Berti followed with a very fine ren- • dering of “The Heroes of the Darda- ■ belles;’’ and was most vociferously, en- . cored, to which he responded yith m . preitytsong, "Erin’s. Shore,” which was a yery'Giarming item. 'Mr J. Patterson, member of the County Council, followed with a very stirring and able speech, in which he eulogised the courage and bravery of Britain’s sons, who had so nobly responded .to the cal! which had reached their little town of Reefton and had been responded to fifteen members of the In/rngahna Band. • Alias' Griffin was m good voice and gave a very pretty rendering of “Somewhere in France,” the company demanding an encore, when she repeated the last verse, which was much enjoved. Mr P. C. Webb, M.P. then gave a very line address, in which he congratulated the band, especially the verv •young members, a very large number of whom were in evidence. In his remarks Mr Webb said it gave him great pleasure, i to be present on such an occasion, as lie considered the men were worthy of all honour who had gone in response to their country's call, and pointed out the necessity of looking well to the old folks who were left behind and providing for the incapacitated ones who would return, for .which provision should be made, as he considered rto man should be enriched at the expense of another’s supreme sacri-. flee., He trusted all those whose names were enrolled would be, snared to return, and that they would receive the welcome they deserved, also the provision it necessary. Mr Berti sang “The Deathless Army,” which was most heartily applauded. * . Mr R. Wills made a short speech on the subject of “Liberty,” in which he mentioned that there had responded to their country’s call an army, of 50UJ bandsmen, which he considered a splendid response. He then called on Mr J?atterson to unveil tch. .Roll of Honour, which was done to the strains of ■ the National Athem by the Band, ■. The roll contains the following fifteen names, and is a very fine piece of work, executed by Mr Kemp, of Reefton : —A. • Conway, A. McMaster, W. S. Austin, R. 8, Austin, F. Elliston, J- TrcVethnn, W. L. Payne, L. 1 Collier, A, Stevenson, N. Christensen, J .Goodycr, M. Absalom, T. Elliston, H. Simpson, ,T. Pcnnaluna. Mr Castle, on behalf of the Band, then made a presentation of a neat shaving outfit to Mr T. EJHston, one of the members, who is leaving immediately for camp. Mr Ejliston Responded very appropriately, the company singiqg “For ,He’s a Jolly .Good Fellow.” ' A* selection of old English melodies by the, band, concluding with the National Anthem/ concluded ..the proceedings, which were much enjoyed and appreciated by the large number present. The accompaniments were very ably played by Miss Drabble and Miss Brooks.