Welcome Home.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 714, 4 February 1919, Page 1

Welcome Home.

A large assemblage from all parts of the district gathered m the Drummond Hall on Friday week for the purpose of welcoming home Privates H. Gerrard, O'Meara aud Prendeville. Mr J. Kincaid occupied the chair, and briefly explained the object of tho gathering. *A good programme of sougs wks rendered, after which Mr T. A. Buck ingham was called upon to give an address and m the course of his re marks stated that too many of the New Zealand boys were bringing back wives with them, but happily he could not say that of the guests ci tho evening. He considered there | were plonty of girls m New Zealandwithout going further afield, lie advised the three returned soldiers to be good oitizens and settle down. On behalf of the district, he had muoh pleasure m presenting each With a handsome gold medal, and extended to them a hearty welcome home. An excellent supper was provided, after which danoing was proceeded with, to capital musio provided by I Messrs Mcintosh (2), violin and piano, Mr Jas. Mollison officiating as Master of Ceremonies.

Seldom have the people of Orawia had more occasion to rejoice than on the return of two of their soldier heroesj namely, Sergeant Andrew Findlay^ and Lance-corporal John Ballantyne, M.M. Both have over three years' active seryice to theic

credit, and have now returned decor, ated wiih stripes and Military Medal, gallantly won on the bloody battle 'ields of Flanders, However, After a ten days resi; m their own homes, a publio welcome j was tendered the two lads on Friday, 24;h u!fc. Notwithstanding the gloom 30 recently ccar.s r . over tho land by the influenza epidemic, Taking many loved oues from among us (including many of our best patriotic workers), there was a large attendance, miny restraining sad emotion for tbe .moment, •uid humbly paying homage co the w-»rthy lads by their presence, thus k.>i-p-ug a promise reverting back over three year?, tbat we | 1 would be watching and waiting for their retooi. °- The evening was sp=nfc m, song and danoe until af'er supper (refreshments bein? abundantly provided by the ladies), w >m Mr Sam Fowle took to .he stage inviting the guests to follow, vvh ; eh was the signal for prolonged applauso nnd musical honors. After che singing of the National Anthem Mr Fow c, after a neat little welcome home speech, presented each soldier wiih a gold medal and wristlet watch, suitably m sari bed. , Mes3rs T. Cochrane (Clifden) and IS. Sim (Pukemaori.) eaoh m turn expressed a few words of welcome to the lads who have done so muoh for v?. Sergeant Findlay ia his qui6t modest wpy. thanked the speakers and all present, on behalf of, himself and Lance corporal Ballantjne for tbo kind remarks and gifts that they would always treasure, finfally confusing that he was fully convinced thei e was noplace ike home. Dancing was then resumed. The music supplied by Ponfs Band (Tua tapere) was muoh^appreciated by dancer? and non dancers alike, while Mr Donald McLaren was a most cordial Director of Ceremonies,