Russell

Northern Advocate, 9 December 1940, Page 10

Russell

The home of Mrs C. Larkin was the scene of a successful function, held in honour of her son, Sergeant-Major Morris Larkin. The home has been opened as a social centre for the men of minesweepers, and has been called “The Anchorage.” During the evening, which was taken up with dancing and dart playing, Mr H. J. Keenan, on behalf of the patriotic society, presented Sergeant Major Larkin with an order with which he will be able to get anything he may desire, and expressed the appreciation of the locality for the sacrifice being made: Reference was made to the fact that Mrs Larkin’s late husband was an ex-naval officer and that her other son fs in the Navy, too. One of the officers of a minesweeper stressed the value of the work being done by Mrs Larkin in providing a centre of entertainment for the men when in Russell, and said that it was always an occasion to look forward to. Among those present were:—Mesdames T. Arlidge, M. Arlidge, F. Baker, A. Armstrong, C. Campi, M. Carr, W. Cates, M. Clifford, C. Jackson, P. Gibbs, M. Larkin, J. C. Martin, H. J. Keenan, H. King and J. Saunders; j Misses Hope, Elsie, Jessie and Phyllis I Boucher; Rae Marie Somerville, I June Baker and Huia King. A well-attended Home Guard first parade took place on Wednesday night, nearly 30 men being enrolled. Mr George Rotherham at present is in command, and the section leaders were appointed for the time being. A census of firearms for drilling purposes revealed the fact that sufficient Ideally are available to drill with.