Palmerston Doings.

Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 849, 13 October 1916, Page 24

Palmerston Doings.

DEAII ChbistabeLj

MOT since Dr. Martin returned over I a year ago has Palmerston extended such a hearty welcome to one of its returning heroes as was accorded to Chaplain-Captain Dore on "Wednesday, morning last week. Father Dore returned bearing, not only the scars of battle, but wearing a. special decoration, the Military Cross, which he won for -distinguished bravery on the field.

Father Dore, who motored up from* Foxton, was met at Longburn by half-a-dozen motor cars containing old friends who were eager to welcome him, and near the Palmerston Railway Station he was met by the Municipal Band, which escorted him to - the Square, where: the public reception was held. Hearty .cheers were ' given for Father Dore, who is still on crutches. He mounted' the steps of the stand, where 'he was welcomed by the Mayor . and Councillors, the military staff, representatives of the Patriotic Society, Chamber of Commerce, and clergy; •

The speeches had two outstanding characteristic : they were brief and sincere, and no- one could doubt the genuineness of the sentiment expressed as the speakers, one after another, congratulated Father Dore on his. safe return, and the distinction he had won, and expressed their admiration fdr the great work all the chaplains are doing in this great conflict. The Padre sat shyly smiling throughout the proceedings. He would have preferred to return quietly, without any fuss, but the enthusiastic reception he received) from all classes and creeds, must surely have compensated for the embarrassment he felt at being the ' central figure at so large a gathering. :

Chaplain Dore went out with the Main Body of the. New Zealand Expeditionary Force, attached to the Wellington Mounteds, and saw considerable service at Gallipoli, where he was struck

by shrapnel while bringing in the wounded. The speakers at the reception were: Mr. J. A. . Nash (Mayor), Father McManus, on . behalf of the Catholic community; Colonel . Hume, who spoke for . the military staff ; Rev. Blackburn, who voiced the sentiments of the Anglican community; Major Toomer, who spoke for the Salvation Army; Mr. Maurice Cohen, who was spokesman for the Jewish community; and Mr. T.. H. Hodder, who spoke on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce.

After, the speeches an opportunity was given to Father Dore's friends to speak to; him, and young . and old, friends aind strangers, filed- past," . avail-, .iiig themselves of the opportunity of adding a personal. note, of welcome to this brave; young Chaplain.

1 Mr. W. Devihe,. ; whose hospitality is proverbial, entertained Father Dor©' and about sixty guests at luncheon afterwards, when th ore were further speeches and toasts. An opportunity was also taken by the Mayor : at this reception to extend a hearty welcome to Major McDonnell, who also went out with the Main Body and has ' recently, returned home, Tbeing now on Headquarters Staff, and three hearty, cheers were •• given for him. The Mayor said he would tell them what, his name was —but not what he was called.

Miss Maud War burton., who went down, to see her, mother off to England by the Rimutaka, returned ,to town early in the week. «•

Mrs. Douglas G-ifford-Moore, of Rangiotu. has been down in Wellington for a short holidav. '

Mr. Smith, manager, of the local branch of the Bank of New Zealand, who, accompanied by Mrs. Smith, went Home over a year ago in search of . health, returned to Palmerston on Monday last. Misses Olive and Gladys Smith, who have been living down south during their parents' absence, are

also back in town. Mr. Smith'has quite recovered his health.

Mr. and Mrs. Clishan Keeble are making holiday at one of the Wellington bays.

Miss Madge Batchelor has gone to Auckland, where she is staying with her Mrs. Bennetts' * * *

Mr. James Tremain. who died of heart failure rather suddenly last week, was buried with the full rights- of the Salvation Army, the band playing all the way to the cemetery. ■ft ft si

The meeting to arrange for a fitting memorial to the late Dr. Martin was not at all weli attended, but those present were both representative and en-; thusiastiiC. Various proposals were put for,ward, such as a men's ward at the ■hospital, a. radium institute (a matter upon which the late Doctoi was very keen) or a monument in the. Square, which would also bear:the names of all our soldiers who have fallen, in battle. After, some discussion, the proposition to erect a men's ward found favour with the majority, and a very strong committee ha.s been set up to carry out this project. That the Government Willi ■ subsidise contributions in this direction doubtless . carried some weight,for it-it will thus mean that voluntary contributions need, cover less than half the; actual cost ' .of . the - work, and so a truly, worthy. monumeht-Waii be be erected to- omv little surgeGiV.' -•

At St. John's Church,- Feilding, on Wednesday , last, Miss Vera. Condon, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Condon, of Hamilton, was married to Mr. Duncan M. Chtm*ch, eldest son of Mrs. Church, of Ashlvuxton. Misses Marjorie and Phyllis Rush were the bridesmaids. Mr. Victor Smith was best man, and Mr. Colin Rich groomsman.

Mr. Horn, who has for many years made the cream of Kairanga into firstclass butter, was entertained at a farewell social on Friday night, when he was presented with a nice, fat cheque, and Mrs. Horn received a copper tea and coffefe service. Kairanga is now going in' for cheese, and Mr. Horn, who is apparently loyal to butter-fat, is transferring his energies elsewhere. A

concert party (partly town and partly country) contributed the musical portion of the programme, while speeches were made by tho men of Kairanga, who spoke iii glowing terms of Mr. Horn, both as a factor.7 manager and neighbour. Supper was served by the ladies, who are noted, for their hospitality, and proceedings terminated with a dance. "

On Sunday night late-comers found it impossible to gain admittance to the Palace Theatre to hear the. two juvenile de Lissac musicians, so great was the crowd. It is really marvellous what a popularity Sunday concerts: enjoy. Often programmes " which would not draw a sufficient audience to payexpenses on a week-night, will be met with a crowded house on Sunday, and: pay well. , .■ ' '

The weather on Saturday was anything but ideal for Flower Day. However, a number of brave girls ' with, baskets and trays set out with the wonderful store of blooms that . had. . been, sent in. A donkey cart figured largely, in the day's business, and the little chap seemed quite happy drawing his load of flowers around the Square. The proceeds, some £20, will be,., divided among the the shareholders in the forthcoming Paddy's Market. -.:;

Speaking of the donkey reminds me of rather a good mule story recently from France. A Pal mors ton artilleryman was emphasising, the fact that the mule is not always a lovable. creature, and at times takes a bit of handling. One day a. mule got loose and playfully, wandered along near. .. two • mules an artilleryman was of. In order to avoid trouble he attempted to. drive off the wanderer, but the mule prompts ly kicked out, and. landed hiih a beauty just above, the- ankle. "I "thought my leg was. broken,", wrote the:' Palmei-s----tonian, . "and . was having visions of '.a spell off duty and a trip to England, when. the pain gradually disappeared and I found the. blighter hadn't kicked hard enough." Sojne people have. Dll the luck. ■ •* ;« A Refresher Gampis' heing held on the Show Ground this week to polish up the Territorial and Senior Cadet officers and non-coms. Consequently, a lot of fearfully important looking. yonthss in "shorts" promenade the Square during off hours, and the dignity of some of them is wonderful to behold, while others. more friendly ; disposed; try with a flash of the eye and a twirl of the cane to captivate the fascinating per. These soldiers in ithe making; axe fine, sturdy boys, but sortie of their legs certainly ; look worthy of more trousering. ■

_ They were looking at a dainty confection of crepe de chene which stood in a shop window. It was frilled and) flounced as the fashions of by-gone days. "I/obk, father, isn't it like the buff dress I had when we were first married," she said, looking down the; vista of thirty-odd years; and seeing again that well-remembered frock. Father stood with his feet apart, a thumb in each waistcoat sleeve and surveyed the dainty gown; theai looked at the lined and weather-beaten face beside him. "You wouldn't look much in it now, old woman," he said unsympathetically, but & smile shone out from the whiskered face, and somehow mother understood; * * . - ... * . * Captain Jack Davis, who returned last week by the Willoclira, spent the week-end in Ralmerston. He was on his way to Rotorua, where he hopes to get quite strong again. Captain Davis was in camp here with - the. Main Body at Awapuni, and wounded in recent fighting in which the Mounted Rifles took part. * ' * * » Mrs. T. O'Reilly, a very well-known resident of Palmerston, died at the residence of her daughter,, Mrs. Martin,. Power, of Dannevirke, on Saturday last at the age of 90 years. Mrs. O'Reilly is sui'vived by a., large family of sons and daughters, who are living in this district. Your friend; Atvapui?i. .