FOR THE FRONT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17251, 19 August 1916, Page 11

FOR THE FRONT.

DEPARTING SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED.

A very successful eend-of?: social to Privates J. Beatty. R. Bates, G. Marsh, S.. Marsh," R. Sutherland, 8. Weostell and C. Watson, members of the Seventeenth Reinforcements, who are on final leave, was held in the produce shed,. Coalgate, on Wednesday. There was a very large attendance. The programme consisted of dancing, interspersed with musical' items' Gold medals, in tho form of a Maltese Cross, were presented to each soldier. Mr •Tolm Deans made the presentation and .in a very appropriate speech wished tho men God-speed and a safer rofrirn. Songs Were contributed bv Misses Brown and "Williams, and’ Messrs T. Brown, sen., W. Nikon, L. Flaville and R. Wills, a. recitation by Miss "Williams, oornefc solos by Messrs' J aggermint and J. Jewell, and bagpipe music by Mr C. M’DonaM. -Tho- music for the dances was supplied by Misses Rollinsoii and Nelson and Mr IT. Pearson.

At a farewell' social at Ohokn, tendered to Privates G. -MoTtland, H. Riley. W. Maeann, G. Pearce and I>Rearns there was a large attendance. Mi- 11. Evens, chairman of the/ County Council, presided, and presented Privates Wort land. Riley, Pearco and Kearns with a set of pipes each and Private Maeann with a safety razor. The Great Northern Concert Party, Kaiapoi, provided an excellent concert. During the evening three fowls and one goose sold by auction in aid of the Red Cross ■■‘Fund- realised £3 3s 6d. The total proceeds amounted to £'2l 7s Gil.

On Wednesday night, a. public social was tendered' in the Oxford Town. Hall to men going to Trentham for training. Mr T. C. Horne presided, and there was a fair attendance. The Rev. D. Rankin gave an address and urged the claims of the War Loan- Presentations were made to R. Walsh (returned from the front invalided), J. H. Morris (of the ■ Seventeenth Reinforcements), and H. Treacey and J. AllanOn Friday evening the Springston Hall was well fillod, the occasion being a send-off to Privates H. W. Marshall and E. R. James, who are on final leave. M'r J. Watson Ivime presided, and assisted, by ..Mrs Ivime, presented each of the soldiers with a gold medal, suitably inscribed. A vote of sympathy to the relatives of the late Corpora! W. Bryce Chamberlain, who died in the-'Trentham Military Hospital on Tuesday, was passed, tho audiencestanding. A patriotic address was delivered- by tho Rev W. B. Scott, and o.ix excellent variety entertainment, consisting of eolos, recitations, Highland dances and reels, hornpipes, conjuring turns and ventriloquial items, was given by tho Christchurch Caledonian Society’s concert party, tho contributors being Mrs M’Olea, Misses .MTntosh, Clark, Turner, and JJeumelburg, Masters M’lntosh and Clark, Messrs Bracey-Wilson, G. F. Bartlett, Gillmore, Parsons and Nicholson. Piper .Krskino contributed a pipe solo and played the music for the dances, and Air Harold V. Rowe played the pianoforte accompaniments. The entertainers were conveyed from the city in cars generously provided by Messrs I’vue and Co., Bannehr, and M’Donald. of the Fanners’ Co-operative Association.

A euchre tournament and social was held in the Little River Town Hall on Thursday night in honour of ' Private C. Frewin, of the Seventeenth Reintorceinents, who is on final leave. There was a 'good attendance. Cards were played tili; 10 P-m., after which supper was served, and dancing was kept up till after one. During on interval several letters from men at the front wore read and in all cases tho men expressed their thanks and their appreciation of tho parcels which are sent monthly a.nd the illustrated papers which aro sent weekly to each man from Little River. Except in very few instances the parcels and papeers appear to bo Teaching their destination.. The chairman, Mr J. O. Coop, made a presentation of a safety razor and a filled money belt to Private Frewin, and a purse of sovereigns to Mrs Frewin. The euchre prises

were won ■by Miss Newton and Mr Gilman, .and tho consolation, prizes by Miss Fahey' and -Mr Fred Hunt. There was a large gathering of residents of Amberley and visitors at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Thursday evening to bid farewell to the Amberley members: of the Twentieth Reinforcements, Messrs W. A. Thompson, AY'. A. Parsons, W. Kennedy, R. Barnes. W. Moles , and F. G. Holton. Mr F. G. Lewton addressed the soldiers and wished them “ good hick ” and a. safe return. A presentation consisting of an encased pipo was made to each man except Mr Kennedy, who received a money belt. Dancing was then indulged in until the early hours of the morning.,

A smoko concert was held in the commercial room of the Kir wee Hotel on Thursday evening for the purpose of bidding farewell to Private R. H. Watkins, of the Seventeenth Reinforcements. There was a fair attendance. Several toasts were : hciioured, including “ Our Guest ” and “ The Recruits,” coupled with the names of Messrs F. Harwood, A. Roper, J. Roll, and T. Healo, who go into camp shortly. During the evening Private Watkins was presented with a safety razor by Mr Lorgelly, who wished the recipient “every success and a safe, return.” Songs were contributed bv Messrs W. H. Conway, J. Bell. J. Burt and T. Heale, the- accompaniments being play-ed-by Mr Hcale. A farewell was tendered to Troopers AJ(]ridgo and Baker by the residents of Tinwald on Thursday evening. Mr James Cow. presided. The gathering took the form of a social’and dance, and during an interval tho chairman ■ presented each soldier with a safety razor.

There was, a gathering of employees of the Christchurch “ Press” Companyin‘the newsroom yesterday, for the purpose of making a- presentation to Private G. L. Yates, of the comfncrcial staff, who is leaving for the front. The manager (Air P. Selig) referred in complimentary terms to the soldier, and on behalf of his fellow-workers presented him; with a wristlet watch, and hoped that lie would return safe and sound. A social and dance was held in the Medbury Schoolroom on Wednesday, to bid : farewell to two local soldiers, Privates J. Gray and r JV Pilcher. Private Gray,, who was. in Wellington, teas'unable to attend, but bis brother acted for him. Each soldier was presented 1 with a money belt containing a, sum of money. During the evening Constable Packer and Air Darrick, both of Waiknri, gave a short address in connection with the Roll of Honour which is being compiled for the Waipara County.