Farewell

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 August 1917, Page 2

Farewell

TO TH'REE LEVIN SOIiDtEIIS. Three Levin recruits—Privates • Walton, G. Walton, and Albert Banson—were met at Levin .Council Chambers on Tuesday night by a representative gathering of citizens, both ladies and gentlemen, and were bidden farewell and Godspeed. His Worship the Mayor of .Levin presided. An apology for non-attendance was sent by Mrs James Prouse.

In opening the proceedings, Mr. C. Blonkhorn said that it had been impossible to ' ork up an entertainment as part of that, njight's send-off, as the na.meis of the men about. to go into camp had not been obtainable In time. None the less, !he hoped that the departing soldiers would! take the spirit of the meeting as proof of its sincerity in wishing them the best of luck, a safe return, and a record as high as that of the men from "New Zealand who w<Xre already at the front. ■Lieutenant Vincent said—to those present as well as to those going into oamp—that the camp were very necessary. 'Remarks to the contrary effect were made, sometimes by members of Parliament and' others. Prom his own experience, he thought that th« training given in New Zealand was of the highest value. The men must know something of cohesion before they belcame fit for the training at the camp in England. If everv man in New Zealand had been through a training course with the New Zealand Territorials the case would be different. Lieut. Vincent, in saying farewell to the lads, said he had known theon for the last fourteen years. He n islied them the best of luck, and he felt that if they had the same luck that he had had their luck would be good. Provided he could be sure of getting back to Levin again, he would be glad to go again to the front. It was the "if" in the matter. (Laughter)- In a reference to the need for disc:p. ine, Lieut. Vincent gave same interesting proofs of the usefulness of certain regulations that were irksome to all new men. He concluded with a reference to duty. It must be the lot of most men who took part in the war to be forgotten—liich as well as low—but it was the duty of all to fi'fflvt for the Empire in its -great envro of Liberty. He wished the departing lads "the very best of luck and a safe return, even to little Levin which is not the worst place in the world." Mr. F. O. Smith, for whom Private W. Walton worked for very many years, spoke in terms of very high appreciation of his ex-employee. He would acquit himself with honor nnd credit wherever he might 'be placed. Mrs. P. W. Goldsmith, in the unavoidable absence of the ma,yoress, presented the three soldiers with Cardigan jackets, the gift of the ladies' committee of the Levin Patriotic Society. She wished all three soldiers good' luck and a safe return. Refreshments were handed .around by Mesdames Goldsmith, Keedwell and Richter, after which a pleasant hour was spent in social converse.