PRESENTATIONS TO SOLDIERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16361, 19 April 1915, Page 3

PRESENTATIONS TO SOLDIERS.

: The employees of Messrs : Smith and Smith met on Friday night, for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mr E. Pledger, who was leaving for the front. ' Mr W. Eraser, in presenting Mr Pledger with a handsome wristlet watch, referred to the recipient's many good qualities, and amidst applause, the opinion that he would worthily carry out his duties as a' soldier and a man. Mr Pledger briefly responded. At Messrs A. Smith and Sons' box factory on Friday evening, the staff met to make 'a presentation to Mr S. Freeman, who was leaving to join the Sixth Reinforcements. In presenting Mr Freeman with a wristlet watch, Mr Smith referred to his long service and the excellent manner in which he bad carried out his work while with the firm, and hoped that he would come back safely to his position, which would be kept open for him. The members of the Maori Hill Brass Band met at the band room on Friday night to bid farewell to Mr A. W. Don, who left on Saturday for the Trentharn Camp with the Sixth Reinforcements. Mr C. Beeby, sen., president of the band, iri presenting .Mr Don with a pair of military brushes, expressed the hope that the recipient would return safe and sound, and that he would fulfil his duties to the credit of. himself and of his country. Mr Don suitably replied Mr Don, who is a son of tho Rev. A. Don, of Roslyn, lias a brother already on active service. The Maori Hill Band is now represented by no fewer than seven of its members on active service.

Mr A. Watt, jun., who left for Trentharn on Saturday, was tendered a farewell social last week at the residence of Mr Steve Boreham. Mrs Boreham presented Mr Watt with a silver cigarette case, also a silver pocket fruit knife, as a small token of the high esteem in which he was held. On Friday evening Mr Watt's associates tendered him a smoko concert at the Farmers'. Arms Hotel, • and he was presented with a case of silver-mounted inscribed hairbrushes.

In. Jackson's Dining Rooms on Friday evening the members of the St. Kilda Wednesday Cricket Club assembled to bid farewell to three of their clubmates—Messrs A. Jones, George Edwards, arid Kilpatrick, —who were leaving for Trentharn next morning. Mr J. Gawne (vice-president) occupied tho chair, and spoke a few words, wishing the departing troopers good luck and a safe return. Messrs Johnson, Haig, and Cameron also spoke. The" chairman presented each of the guests with a nice fountain pen, and the recipients suitably responded. . On Tuesday Mr R. A. Ferguson was entertained by Ms fellow workers at the Seacliff Mental Hospital. During the evening Mr M Kissar, on behalf of the workers, presented him with a set of military brushes and a wristlet watch. On tho following evening the Woodhaugh Junior Endeavour Society, as a mark of appreciation of his services as leader, held a farewell social, and during the evening presented Mr Ferguson . with a set of razors and military brushes.