NORMANBY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 27 May 1915, Page 7

NORMANBY.

(Fiiom Our Own Correspondent.)

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL TO SOLDIERS.

A very large gathering met in. the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, when a social was tendered to a number of young men who are leaving for the front. Mr T. G v Free occupied the chair.* A short muiscal programme was rendered, consisting of: Overture, Miss Sowerby; recitation, Miss Free; song, "Across the Blue Sea," Miss Laurent (encored); recitation, "The Dandy Fifth," Mr Cowan; song.. "Your King and Country want you," Mrs Archbold (encored): song, "The Home Land," Mr Butler; duet, "Life's dream is o'er," Miss Laurent and Mrs Butler (encored). The chairman then presented each of the young men with a pocket-book and some warm comforts, and, in doing so, said that he was, sure all appreciated the action of those who had responded to the call of duty. He trusted that all would come back safe after having nobly done their part in.the great war. He- asked them to accept the small presents as 'a slight token of the esteem in which they were held by their friends in Normanbv.

As each volunteer came forward he was received with resounding applause and cheering. The following are the names of the boys: W. Norman, L. Stoddart, G. Stoddart, P. Clement, H. Linn, ,W. Beven. and G.-Dundas. Percy Clement, in returning thanks, said that they all appreciated the kindness shown by the Normanby people, and now that they were about to leave for unknown parts would ever remember their good wishes. The Rev. J. W. Butler delivered a stirring address, in which he made an anpeal for more recruits. He said that all honored those who were answering t.ac call of Empire, and there were those who envied them in the opportunity they now had of defending "the Empire. (Applause.) He reminded them that great empires had fallen in the past, and said that Britain would surely become the prey of German barbarians if our young men shirked their duty at this critical stage in the na-] tion's history... He reminded them of the flag that stood for freedom and justice for all. and said that flag would never be trailed in the dust if Britain's manhood would follow the example of the young men who had left our .shores, and those who were • now going to Trentham. (Applause.) There was something very wrong with a man's make up if he could read of the atrocities perpetrated <m thf» innoront women and children of Belgium, and yet remain indifferent to the nation's call. Ihe casualties in the Dardanelles constituted a call for our boys 'to go over and help, and he believed that many of those present would respond to that call. The speaker feelingly k»- ---| terred to Reg McKoy, who had' been wounded, and expressed the sympathy ot the people of Normanby with his parents and relatives.

The National Anthem was then sitii" and cheers for the King "and the boyl at the front were heartily given, after which games and dancing'were indulged m until late m the night. Thanks are especially due to Mr and Mrs J. ArchboJdfor arranging the social arid for providing comforts for the soldiers