FOR THE FRONT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17419, 5 March 1917, Page 5

FOR THE FRONT.

PRESENTATIONS TO SOLDIERS.

On Wednesday evening a successful social was held in the Leeston Town Hall in honour of Privates J. W. Bayliss, J. B. M’Manus and J. Taylor. The function was well attended, and there were visitors present from other parts of the Ellesmere district. A good musical programme was submitted, com-, prising songs by Misses L. B. Kilbride and B. Oppsnheim, and Messrs J. W. Bayliss and T. Delaney. Misses Laycock and M. Prosser played, the accompaniments. During the evening Dr Volckman, chairman of the Leeston Patrio/tio Committee, presented me guests with a safety razor each, and conveyed to them the best wishes of their friends for a safe and speedy return. On behalf of the Leeston Volunteer Fire Brigade, Superintendent Ramsay presented Private M’Manua with a case of pipes as an expression of goodwill from his comrades. The musio for a dance was supplied by Mrs J. F. Donald.

There was a very large gathering at a-send-off to Riflemen R. Hampton and E. F. Hannaford, and Privates T. J. and H- Carter, held in the Southbridge Town Hall on Thursday evening. A pleasant time was spent in dancing to musio supplied by Mr and Miss Thompson. Songs were sung by Mrs W. Locnhoad, Misses M’Kee, Willis and Kilbride, and Mr C. Thompson. The chairman of the Patriotic Committee, Mr E. G. Hubbard, delivered ,a short addresse and presented each of the four soldiers with the usual kit, containing a number of useful articles from the St James’s Red Cross Guild, and handed to Rifleman Hampton and Privates T. J. and H. Carter a safety razor each as gifts from the residents of the district. He mentioned that, by arrangement, Rifleman Hannaford had received his present the previous evening at Sedgemere. The Rev G. Lindsay delivered a short address.’ On Thursday evening Rifleman Hannaford was entertained 'at a social by the residents of Sedgemere in the new Public Hall. There was a very large attendance and a most enjoyable evening was spent. The guest was the recipient of a wristlet watch, hearing a suitable inscription. Dancing was kept up until the early hours, interspersed with songs and other items. Mr and Mrs Hannaford gave a. very enjoyable “at home” at their residence, “ Battaford,” on Tuesday evening in ■honour ©f their son. Visitors were present from Southbridge, Leeston, Sedgemere and Lakeside, and a very pleasant time was spent. On Friday night the residents or Lakeside tendered a farewell to Privates R. A. Williamson and P. Campbell, to whom presentations were made. Thel’e was a large gathering at the Methven Town Hall on Friday evening to bid farewell to the men who are shortly leaving for the front. Some of this men farewelled are about to go into camp, while others were home on leave. Mr W. Morgan presided, and addresses were given by the Rev W. A. Keay and the Rev G. Aitken. On behalf of the district the chairman presented each soldier with a. useful present, and expressed the wish that the recipients would add further lustre to the county’s scroll of honour. The men farewelled were: —J. Allen, S. J. Bishop, A. G.' J. Bishop, H. G. Oranfield, M. Dumphy .W. Goodwin, A. Geddes, ,LWinnicott, F. Kennedy, L. Kelly, JMangin, J. Marr, J. Pearce, J- Payne, W.Timewell and 1 E. Watson. In the Hinds Hall last week a sendoff -was tendered to Privates J. Barrett, C- D. Chisnall, H. M’Dowell and M. and T. O’Connor, who are down on leave. Mr A. Moore presided. _ Mr J. M. Hampton, chairman of the Patriotic Committee, presented each of the soldiers With an engraved medal from their friends in Hinds. On behalf or the Hinds Signal Troop. Irivate M’Dowell was presented with a silvermounted pipe, and Private Cmsnaii with a set of military brushes. the evening concluded with a dance. A number of the friends of Privnto J. W. White, of the Twenty-third Reinforcements, were at the Rangiora Railway Station on Saturday to see him off by the midday train on the expuation of his final leave. The Mayor (Mr C. I. Jennings), on behalf of the townspeople, expressed good, wishes tor his future and presented him with a soldier’s companion and fountain pen from the Rangiora Soldiers’ Entertainment Committee. At tho Salvation Army Barracks on Friday evening a send-off was given t Private A. Martin, who is spending his leave in Temuka. During the evening Captain Hawke, of the Salvation Army, presented Private Martin with a safety razor and a money belt. Speeches were delivered by Mr . T. Gunxnon (chairman of the Temuka Patriotic entertainment Committee), and Messrs . Tillbrook and J. Rive. - , The Kaiapoi Senior Cadets PTTH on Friday night, when Sergeant r on their behalf presented Lieutenan• H. Stark, of the Twenty-fourth Reinforcements, with a set of pipes.