RETURNED SOLDIERS HONOURED

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 41

RETURNED SOLDIERS HONOURED

SOCIAL AT PUKETERAKI,

There was a .large gathering in the Huirapa Hall, Puketeraki, on Friday night, ■when a social was held in honour of Private George Woods, who left New Zealand with the First Maori Contingent, and returned on Sunday week, after serving his King" and country for nearly...four years. The residents of Puketeraki and Karitane, both Maoris and Europeans, take a keen interest in the soldiers belonging to the district, and for a considerable rime a Reception Comnr'ttee has bem in existence to accord a suitable farewell to men leaving for active service and to extend a welcome to them on their return. This committee has been heartily supported by the community, and already more than iilOO has been spent in making presentations to those who have joined the colours. Mr J. M. Ellison presided, and amongst those present were visitors from Waikouaiti and Dunedin and about half a dozen returned soldiers, who received a very warm welcome. The arrangements made for the entertainment of the gathering were all that could be desired, with tho result that a very happy time was spent. In opening the proceedings, Mr Ellison stated that the district had supplied 20 soldiers out of 70 adults in tho community. He. thought that was an excellent record for such a small place. The Maoris who had been on service had worthily upheld the noblest traditions of the race, and had shown that they had inherited the courage, devotion to duty, and love of freedom and justice which had been outstanding features in th-3 character of their ancestors. After expressing pleasure at seeing other returned soldiers present, Mr Ellison paid a tribute to ihe qualities of Private Woods as a soldier and a man, and extended a hearty welcome to him after_ a long period of strenuous service worthily performed. Mr H. Parata also extended a warm welcome to tho guest of the evening. He mentioned that out of 518 men who left New Zealand with the first Maori Contingent on February 14. 1915, only 72 had returned so far. No doubt others would return later, but unfortunately many had mado the supreme sacrifice. The speaker madj feeling reference to the bereavements in Private family during his absence, his father,' onft of _ his sisters, and two brothers having died while ho was helping to crush the Huns. Speeches of welcome were also made by Mr T. Mtfjschlan. Mr F. H. Francis, Private Walker (who returned from tho war nt the same time as Private Woods), and Mr War.aka Weka (who spoke in Maori, his remarks being translated by the chairman). Ma- Ellison then presented Private Woods with a handsomo gold medal, suitably insoribed, as a token of the esteem in which he is held and as a mark of appreciation of ihis valuablo servicers to the Empire. Private Woods gave a modest speech in reply. He made light of the dangers which had faced him, and expressed, thankfulness

•that ho had been in a position to take up arms in suoh a worthy cause. Most of the remainder of the time was spent in dancing, and the pleasure of the gathering was increased by a number of musical items, which were highly appreciated. Songs were given by Private Walker, Private Woods, Mr Jackson, Mr Tipa, and Mr Sinclair M'lntosh, a duet by Misses L. Woods and Miss Te Tau, a violin solo by Miss M'George, a poi dance, a GallipohMaori haka by the Puketeraki Concert Par£y, and a Maori haka by the Puketeraki boys. The proceedings terminated about 1.30 a.m.