COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4028, 7 September 1915, Page 7

COAST NEWS.

TOKOMA.RU pay. By Telegraph—Special Correspondent TOKOM.ARU BAY, Sept, 6. The friends of Mr Jack ICinvan met on Thursday at the Magnet boarding house to say good-bye to him prior to his departure for Napier, to which town he is being transferred. Mr Kirwan lias been in the Bay for the past ten months on the staff of the. local Post Office. He has made himself personally very popular and will he much missed in sporting circles. He is a good all-round athlete and succeeded: in winning come of the events at the last sports meeting. Had he remained assured of'a place in the rep re sentativo teams,' both in the foorhaii and cricket clubs. Without having his cricket averages before me, he pin. up some splendid performances both Jmm a batting and* bowling point of vu-w and his season average compares vei y favorably with the best. As a Rugby footballer, lie was easily recogn sod as one of bur star players and his cep i - turo will be missed by his club more than the others. - Mr Joe Oates, who acted as chairman, referred to Mr Kirwan as a general good all-round sport, who would carry away with him the good- wishes of all the members of the various clubs, as well as the general public as bis obliging manner in things relating to the Department made him many friends.

Air Goo. Scott, on behalf of the City Football Club, referred to the loss their Club would feel and, on behalf of the members of that Club, dcdrcci to tender to Mr. Kir wan their regard and congratulated him on his transfer, which, he understood, meant promotion

Mr W. Oates, juur., for the Tokomani Cricket Club, also expressed regreat at the loss of Mr Kirwan from the team and assured him of the goodwill of the members of that Club.

During tlie evening songs were rendered’ by .Messrs Arthur and Fred Halo,\?. V>’. Lynch, W. Oates, juur.. and Joe Oates.

At a late hour the proceedings concluded bp singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and “God Save the King.” Saturday last witnessed the most animated scene ever seen in Tokomaru Pay. The occasion was the departure of the Maori Contingent, who . have been home on. a week’s leave of absence, From early morning right up to the time of tlie departure of the boat, some riding, some driving, some walking “End <:ion foot” cor.Luucct to stream min the town. Tin* townspeople also turned out in force until finally there must have been fully GOO people on the wharf to sec the Contingent depart. Many pathetic scenes took place, the parting of hoys and .sweethearts, husbands and wives, being particularly affecting. Many or the departing men stepped on to tho launch shedding copious tears. On stopping on to the launch two of them had the misfortune to tumble head first into i-ho water, but were promptly fished out by Captain Vasliti. T hey arrived on board in a dripping condition.

On arrival on Board tlie whole contingent was placed on the “water waggon” by the officer m charge (Lieut. Kohero). In all, G 4 chipped at this port and these, with the other passengers, rendered it necessary for the tender to make two trips.

As the Tarawera proceeded up tho coast huge bonfires wore observed at Rangiata. These were lit to do honor to Lieut. Kohero. who is the officer in charge of the Maori Contingent.

farewell concert. NATIVE SOLDIERS FA RE WELLED A concert was held in the To Puka Hall at Tokomaru Bay on Friday night-, with tho object of fa.rewelling the Native soldiers. The hall was crowded and an excellent programme had been arranged by Messrs Newton and Hyland, the committee- who had ; been asked to repeat the programme given nt a concert some two weeks . ago, and applause was practically con- j tinuous. The programme was as follows: —Overture, piano duct by Mrs F. Halo and Airs P. "Whitehalt a, Taetu and Tikatemi: song (Minstrel), Native School Children; Poi dance, (farewell poi); song, ALorgan Brbbingtou: baka, Biktnvai Natives; poi dance, (welcome poi) ; song, H. N. Pet-ilia and Native soldiers; overture, piano duet bv Airs F. Hale and Mrs p. White: song “Home Sweet Home.” Miss Hot tic fiulligan; luika Rcre Kiel ai; poi dance, Native School girls; song, Native School Children ; liana. Native soldiers; poi dances, Canoe and Double; physical drill, Native soldiers. The opening item, the Taotu baka, is supposed to have been performed by Native wounded soldiers at the Dor- j dinioiles. The poi dances and_ hakes were especially good. _ Air Siangan Bablington was in specially fine voice, and deliuhted the- audience. .1 Ho chorus siiitg by the school cadets uniform,’ brought down the house, me last item but one. a poi dance, was known as tile “Dardanelles por . ™ represented tin; landing of Inc -U' uu troops at the Dartlandic.;. Mr Rviand made a few remarks, addressing himself especially to the pnkehu audienbo. Ho- said: To our pakelia friends J. -say, M\e have om soldier hoys amongst us to-night, nut wc are anxious to show our appro: mtion of their action in volunteering i« fight- our common enemy. Cur committee'has been 1 asked to reneat the programme given a fortnight ago. ..n< wc arc more' than pleased to do t!us. WO arc proud of our Maori soldiers, and feel certain they will, surprise -some ot tho brave pake.ms 11 they <r o nil as thev have begun at the Daidaneln's their names Will go down in history. Ido not think thev can wish greater honor than this. Mr Rjlan thanked the audience for their attendance and also the ladies and geutmmen who assisted with the last enteitainment. His remarks were received amidst great applause. After the concert tlie hull was/.ltaJed" and dancing was indulged m .the oa.rlv hours. The wdiole affair was a huge success tho performance realising the large sum of £l5O, half of which goes to the Wounded Soldiers’ b und, tho other half being divided among the Native troops from tho East Coast. The committee wish to thank Messrs Da Won and Reay, the proprietors ot thcjro Puka Hall, for -tUr- generous action in giving tho ball for the even ing free of charge.