SOLDIERS' WELCOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17726, 10 September 1919, Page 6

SOLDIERS' WELCOME

O 1 The Octagon Hall was filled last ni S ht with an enthusiastic audience which had assembled to do honour in the matter of extending a welcome to returned soldiers A large portion of tho dress circle was reserved for soldiers, and -was well patronised ine function took tho form of a welcome home concert organised by the Methodist Central Mission, and the Rev. CSarenco •Eaton presided. At the outset tho audience, at the* request of Mr Eaton, roso and stood in silence for a few seconds in mejoory of those who had gone from the mission and made the supreme* sacrifice. Mr Eaton referred to tho fact that the

congregation had sent about 130 men and of Oiis iMimbsr 30 bad made tho supreme sacrifice. He said that on no occasion in history had m-en loft their homes to engage in a. more righteous war, and never had'the task set men lx?cn more splendidly fulfilled llio task set them was the hardest ever put before the youth of any nation. \ o t or»r> Ufa Jvul been wasted in tho great struggle; never wore lives more splendidly useful than thow which were appareath' thrown away. On behalf of the officers of the congregation of tlie Central Mission he extended a hearty welcome tott o lads who nad returned, and he believed that they would ultimately bo better, not worse, as tho result of their experience. An enjoyable programme of vocal and instrumental items and recitations was contributed by the following:—Songs—Misses E Smith ("Habanera"), Madxre Torraneo, jpon IxMinox ('-Buy My Strawberries"). Ethel Pndham, Messrs Jas. Petersen ("When Shadows Gather"), W. Harrison ("The Minstrr-l Boy" and "Lorraine"). W Gemmell, and Master Alfie Wilson ("Cheer bn"). A violin solo, "ATibade," i\xi« contributed by Mr J. A. Wallace, and Messrs .'■iidd, Oa-nty. 1.-urvp, and Henderson (Salvation Army Silver Band) tra\> an instrumental quartet. Mr S. H. Osborn rrivo a recitation, as nlso did Mi?.s Hazel Johnson. Aliss Frances Harland made an efficient ac- ." companist. A collection was taken irp for a suitable memorial for those who Had- taken part in the- war, and especially thosa who had lost their lives. Votm of thanks tr> all tn<w> who hid assisted} in the eveninp-'s entertainment were accordo<l by acclamation. Form the good habit of inhaling "NAZOL" and you'll keep freo from coughs and-, colds. Eightecnpence buys sixty doses.