MEDALS FOR NEXT OF KIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16800, 16 March 1918, Page 6

MEDALS FOR NEXT OF KIN.

PRESENTATION AT THAMES. [BY TELEGRAM.— CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES, Friday. Tim Minister for Defence, Sir James Allen, arrived here yesterday afternoon, for tho purpose of presenting war medals to th© next of kin of two deceased soldiers, namely, Private C. 11. Whitehouse, whose next of kin is Mr. J. White* house, Matatoki, and Lance-Sergeant W. A. Francis, whose next of kin is Mr. W. Francis, of Waitoa. The senior cadets, under Captain H. Pearse, mustered at the Drill Hall, and marched to the corner of Mary and Mackay Streets, where they were inspected by Sir James Allen. The presentation of medals was made in the Central Hall before an enthusiastic audience. The Mayor occupied tho chair, and expressed his pleasure in being in a position to introduce and welcome Sir James Allen a? Defence. Minister on his first visit to Thames. Sir James Allen, who was received with prolonged applause, then proceeded with tho presentation of the medals, commencing with that of Lance-Sergeant W. A. Francis to his father, Mr. \\ . Francis, of Waitoa. In doing so lie pointed out tin value of the medals as awards for bravery, and said ho felt sure they would he treasured for all lime by the recipients in memory of their noble and brave sons. The second'medal, for Private C. H. Whitehouse, and then presented to the father, Mr. J. Whitehouse, of Matatoli. Sir James Allen also presented the long service medal to Lieutenant Clark, bandmaster of the Regimental Band, and complimented him oil his long and efficient service. Hestated that His Majesty the King, in giving the medals for gallant conduct on the Held, had expressed a wish that they should he presented in as public a manner as possible, so that the rising generation would remember the occasion and what i> stood for. ' ' H . The proceedings were terminated by «*. Mayor calling for three cheers for ia% fathers of the two deceased heroes.. ,;