FOR THE FRONT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17079, 31 January 1916, Page 11

FOR THE FRONT.

MARSHLAND SQLDTEHS ENTERTAINED. The Marshland Patriotic Committee, which was formed to tender socials to men leaving for the front, vjias been busily engaged since its inauguration. Within the last ten days there have been two farewell socials and one welcome home. On every occasion the hall has bceir crowded, and on Saturday night, when another social was held to bid good-bye to Private G. Sands, who is leaving with the Eleventh Reinforcements, and Messrs E. Baker and H. Chisnall, who are going into camp with the Thirteenth Reinforcements seating accommodation was again taxed to its utmost. , , ~ f .i Mr W. J. Walter, on behalf of the district, congratulated the men on enlisting, and wished them bon vo.age and a safe return. Mr Walter said Jiat ihe district was losing its best men, but on the other hand it was to bo complimented on the fact that it possessed so roam" lads who had the welfare of the Empire at heart, avid were willing to give up all home pleasures to assist. Patriotic addresses were delivered Dy the Revs A. Liversedge and T. M. Curnow. An excellent musical programme was contributed by Mesdames' Down ton an d Jones, and Messrs Barker Blackburn Lake and Beck. Private Chisnall sane a patriotic song, which was encored. Miss Doherty the music for the dance. A great part of the sucoess of the socials is due to the ladies of the district, who supply refreshments for all the gatherings and take a very prominent part in their organisation. t During the evening a vote ot sympathy was passed to the James taimjy on the loss of one of their number Private A. J. James', an old Marshland bov. who went with the Otago Reinforcements and was recently killed at the Dardanelles. The motion was carried in silence, all standing.

The residents of Killincliy turned out in strong force on Friday evening to a. social held in the local hall in honoui of Privates S. Bell, James Allen Samuel Allen and S. Hammond toiii young men belonging to the district, 'who returned to camp on Saturday alter their final leave.-- A most enjoyable evenino- was spent with dancing, interspersed" with vocal items. On behalf ot the residents, Mr J. F. O'Brien presented Private S. Allen with a dressing case and Privates James Allen and b. Hammond each with a set of military brushes. On behalf of the Killincliy Bed Cross branch, Mr O'Brien presented Private Bell with a money belt and safety razor, as a small mark of appreciation of the valuable services lie had rendered as musician at a series of socials held in aid of the funds 'ot the branch during last winter. In making the presentations Air O'Brien said that the guests were well known in the district, and the fact that they had offered their lives in the service ot their King and Empire entitled them to the highest resneofc of the residents. Private Bell had been through the South African war, and no doubt the experience he had gained there would prove of value to him when he went forward to do his bit in the present great conflict. All who were unable to go to the. front should see they did their duty at home and tlia* at least the men were well provided for should they retr.irn disabled. Private Bell made a suitable reply on behalf of his comrades and himself. The dance music was supplied by Miss ■ Uhappell and Messrs Chopped and O'Brien. At the Hawarden Hall on Monday the residents of Hawarden and the surrounding districts entertained Messrs G. Irwin, M. Warhurst and D. M'Kenzie prior to their departure for the front. Mr Shields presented each guest with a wristlet watch from the residents of The Peaks, and on behalf of those present wished them farewell and a safe return. Private Harry Miles, who is homo at Ashburton on filial leave, was fa rebelled by his friends on Friday evening, and - was presented with an outfit consisting of a number of useful articles. On Tuesday evening a number of Styx residents met at Mr T. Higham s residence and tendered a farewell social to Private Albert Burgess, who will proceed to the front with the Tenth Reinforcements. An enjoyable time was spent. During the evening Private Burgess was presented with several articles useful to a soldier. among them being a chest protector and a soldier's cainpanion.