OFF TO TRENTHAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3234, 8 March 1916, Page 52

OFF TO TRENTHAM.

Employees from all departments of the Otago Daily limes and Witness Company assembled in the library on Monday afternoon to bid farewell and make a suitable presentation to Mr Jas. J. Walsh, who has been for the pnst two years a member of the literary staff, and who has joined tho Canterbury Infantry section of the Fourteenth Reinforcements, Mr J. Hutchison (editor of tho Otago Daily Times) acted as spokesman. He said that they could hardly regret Mr Walsh's departure; it waa only what they had expected him to do. Mr Walsh "had made good" as soon as he joined the paper, and his personal qualities had earned for him the esteem and good will of all who had come in contact with him. He hoped that Mr Walsh would be spared to return to re-occupy his position on the staff, .which would be kept open for him. The situation in Europe was now such that it seemed reasonable to think that the Allies were at least in as strong, if not a stronger, position with regard to men and munitions than the enemy, and that the tide of the war would soon settle definitely in their favour. lie had pleasuro in conveying to Mr Walsh, on behalf of tho various branches of tho newspaper, a wristlet watch with an illuminated face, a gold-mounteit fountain pen, and a shaving outfit. Mr Walsh replied suitably. He said that there were reasons for his not going to the front earlier, but he hoped that ho would bo in time to see some fighting, and do a sharo. A large number of Taieri residents assembled in the Drill Hall, Outram, on Wednesday evening to bid farewell to Private Joseph Knighton, Who has been vanman to Mr Lair.g, baker, for the last three years and a-half, and who is well known and highly respected throughout the district. The function took tho form of a basket social, under tho auspices of the Outram Patriotic Committee. The first part of the evening was spent in games and other amusements, followed by refreshments. Mr Laing, who presided, introduced the guest of tho evening (who was on leave from Trentham, before going to the front), and several of the residents spoke in high praise of Mr Knighton as a resident. The Rev. Mr Spence, on behalf of tho Taieri residents, presented a wristlet watch to Private Knighton, who also received a few sovereigns, the balance of money after the watch had been purchased. Private Knighton suitably replied. Before closing tho chairman moved a vote of sympathy to Mr Chisholm (chairman of the Outram Town Board, and of the Outram Patriotic Committee) on the sudden death of his sister (Mrs Rejd). The meeting then closed with tho singing of " God Save the King."