WOODVILLE & DISTRICT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 216, 10 August 1940, Page 8

WOODVILLE & DISTRICT

PRESENTATIONS TO TROOPS. Soldiers on leave in the Woodville district have enjoyed a round of farewell and presentation functions in the past few days. A function in honour of several men who had- enlisted from the district was held in the ’Women s Institute Hall, last night, under the auspices of the Woodville Patriotic society. The men to whom presentations were made were Privates T. Gardner and S. Halford and Gunners I. Treagus and AV. Fairburn. Sapper IT. E. Corston, to whom presentations bad previously been made, was also present. There was a large attendance of town and country residents. The Mayor (Mr R. R. Johnston); speaking as chairman of the Patriotic Society, explained that several members of the forces had recently left without a public function in their honour. They had, however, received gifts. In the ease of several members of the Railway Construction Company, the society has follo.ved the unique procedure of handing their gifts to their wives, who had delivered them when visiting their husbands in camp. In another instance —that of Sapoer Sargeant—the society had - had to Take the opportunity or making presentations to hint on the eve of his wedding, daring the pastweek. The soldiers’ time was fully occupied while on leave and he thought the public would appreciate the difficulty of getting them all together for the one gathering. Of the many functions arranged for the men, the one that evening was perhaps Hie simplest, said the Mayor, but it was also the most important as it represented the standard type of public send-off which would be adhered to throughout the war. He wished the men God-speed and a safe return, expressing his confidence that they would nobly uphold the traditions set by New Zealand troops in the past, and assuring them of a rousing _ reception on their return. The president of the Woodville R.S.A. (Mr IT. G. AVickes), in adding iiis good wishes to those- of the Mayor, said that the organisation he represented really had only one concern and that was the welfare of the men when they came back. “AA T e have committed ourselves wholeheartedly to that task,” he added. The’ Mayoress presented each soldier with an inscribed wallet from the Woodville Patriotic Society, a parcel of goods from the Provincial Patriotic Council and a gift from the AVoodville R.S.A. Each of the men briefly expressed thank< for the gifts and the many kindnesses shown him while on leave.

The Woodlands Road (School Committee organised a dance and euclire party last night in honour of Private T. Gardner, who was sole teacher at the school for three years prior to enlisting. Tlie function was largely attended. Mr S. J. Worboys carried out the duties of M.C. and music for dancing was supplied by Messrs H. Brooker and C. Oliver. Those successful at the card tables were Mrs Gardner, eenr., and Mr A. Bonny. In presenting Private Gardner with a wristlet watch, suitably inscribed, the chairman of the School Committee (Mr J. C. Bolton) reierred to the sterling qualities of the guest of the evening land extended to him the best wishes | of the Woodlands Road residents. The school had made remarkably good progress during Mr Garner’s term as sole teacher and he had proved very popu- ] lar with both parents and pupils: (Cheers and musical honours greeted | Private Gardner as lie rose to reply, j thanking the residents for the gilt and the sentiments accompanying it. The Kumeroa Hall war; attractively decorated- with streamers and bunting, last evening, when the KumeroaHopelands Patriotic Society held jt function in honour o f Privates S. K. Clifford and H. Robinson and Gunner P. Treagus. There, was a large attendance, the men being well and favourably known in the district in which they were employed. Several other disI trict troops were the guests of the society. The president (Dir W. J. Miller) presented the men with mirrors in leather cases on behalf of the society and also handed Private S. Halford a' private gift from friends. Mr lan Maekay presented Private Clifford with an autograph, album and pocket knife as a token of esteem from members of the Kumeroa Tenuis Club, of which he was a valued member for several years. An interesting letter was read from Privates H. and J. Rowlands, who left with the First Echelon prior to the formation of the local Patriotic Society. Both expressed appreciation of the society’s action in forwarding gifts to them. Dance music was played bv an orchestra assembled for the occasion by Mr L. Spelman: The M.C.’s were Messrs L. Hills and P. Miller. Slipper was provided by a ladies’ committee.