ARARATA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 27 May 1915, Page 8

ARARATA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

A SEND-OFF

. \ ve *J' pleasant evening was snen't m the Hall pn Wednesday evening the occasion being a send-off to Mr' and Mrs Lee and family, who are leaving the district, and to Mr D. M Thomson, who is leaving for the war. It was a beautiful evening, and a large number of friends were present The evening was spent with the sinking of ltnotic songs, cards and dancing. As usual, the ladies provided an excellent supper, which was enjoyed by all cli slll)Per< Mr J- "Winks, on behalf or those present, presented Mrs Lee with a silver cake stand and Mr Lee with a brief bag. I o doing so he mentioned the various things Mr Lee had been connected with while in the district, also that such people as Mr and Mrs Lee were a loss to the district, and h& hoped that they would not go far away, so that Ararata might still see something of them. Mr Lee. on behalf of his wife and himself, suitably responded, thanking one and all for their kindness to them while in Ararata, and for the lovely presents given by them.

RECOGNITION OF RECRUITS

Mr C. W. Parfitt then touched on the good work the New Zealandere were doing at the Dardanelles, and presented to Mr Thomson a set of military hair brushes and a pocket book, and expressed the hone ttiat he would safely return again. rMr Thomson in respondHfr. said that he had not been "I the district for long, but that. he had met with nothing but kindness, and he appreciated their gifts and good wishes very much. He said he would do his utmost to uphold the honor of New Zealand, and" that the presents would always remind him of '."-ha kind people of Ararata The proceedings were closed with cheers for the guests, and the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem.

The following are the names of Ararata boys already at the front and 'roing shortly:—T. Livermore, C. Porter. T. Mflpress. W. McKenzie, D. Thomson, O. Reid and A. Tarrant. Considering the size of the place, this is not a bad quota, and 1 think. Ararata is nobly doinjj its duty to New Zealand and the Empire generally. I understand that several more are enlisting shortly, and, if that is so, it will make it still better