RETURNED SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED

Southland Times, Issue 17663, 22 February 1916, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED

BY RIVERTON RESIDENTS. A TRIP UP THE POUKAKINO. Yesterday the residents of Riverton set an example to other resorts by providing- an enjoyable outing for returned and convalescent soldiers, an example which it is to be hoped will soon he followed by other places. For the soldiers who are unable to work, time hangs heavily, and a trip such as was held yesterday comes as a pleasant break in a monotonous life, in addition to which it has a very decided effect in restoring normal health to the young men who have fought on blood-stained Gallipoli and been wounded or laid low by illness. Riverton has many advantages which it can offer the soldiers, and Messrs W. Buddie, of the Aparima Hotel, and Mr H. S. Beer, launch proprietor, were not slow in realising that fact, with the result that they organised the outing, an outing which will always be a pleasant memory. Mr D. Cuthbertson arranged to find motor cars to take the party out and soon after nine o’clock a fleet of seven cars left the Soldiers’ Club for Riverton. The day was beautifully fine, th© air just having enough crispness to make the run bracing. Riverton was reached after an hour's run, the cars drawing up at the picturesque Aparima Hotel, overlooking the harbour. The motor boats were in readiness and the party, which was supplemented by a large number of Riverton residents, set out for the Pourakino. Forcing the Narrows was a much easier task than when the khaki-clad heroes attempted to do it on th© other side of the world, and soon the fleet was passing along in the shadow of the stately verdant trees wh.ich line the fern and moss-banked river. To the majority, who had not made the journey before, the exquisite beauty of the scenes was a revelation and evoked many expressions of wonder and delight. Each bend brought to view a scene even better than the last, until expressions of wonder became superfluous and seemed commonplace. Those armed with cameras, too, did not fail to take advantage of the ' splendid opportunities Nature provided for taking snaps. After an hour's run a stop was made and a lunch spread on a table which has experienced many similar functions.

The ladies of the western town who had charge of the catering had carried out their part of the day’s work in a creditable manner, and a meal, which one of the lads compared to a hotel dinner, was laid out. The spirit of abandon wjiich comes when a party is amid such beautiful surroundings soon infected the party and many and various were the pranks played.

Before lunch Dr X. G. Trotter said that, on behalf of the people of Riverton, he wished to tender the soldiers a hearty welcome to the Pourakino. The lunch had been got up in a hurry, but the welcome was none the less sincere, and he asked them to make themselves at home, and the ladies to attend to the wants of the honoured soldiers. Dieut. Myers, on behalf of the men, thanked the residents for the delightful outing, which all had been so pleased to attend. The Rev. Parata then asked a blessing. The soldiers, well looked after by the ladies, promptly attacked the edibles and showed that the training they had received in camp and on the battlefields had at least taught them one thing. Lunch over, the boats were hoarded again and the wonders of the splendid Pourakino were further explored until the limit was reached. More happy minutes were spent in the bush before making again for the township. Mr J. C. Thomson, M.P., before the party left, said it was fitting that he should express the sentiments of the visitors by passing a vote of thanks to those whose hospitality had enabled them to have such’an enjoyable day. There was a saying, “Honour to whom honour is due/* and the people of Riverton felt that they could not do too great an honour to those who had come back from the front to enjoy a well-earned respite. He sincerely hoped the soldiers had enjoyed the outing and he also hoped that the example set by Riverton would be followed by others in hospitable Southland. They had especially to thank Messrs W. Buddie and H. S. Beer, to whose initiation the picnic was due. lie also thanked the motor car owners who had supplied cars, the motor boat proprietors, Messrs Akhurst and Boniface, who had come up early and cooked the lunch, and finally the ladies of Riverton and the business people who had gratuitously* provided cordials, fruit, etc. He called for three cheers for these, and they were lustily given.

Photographs of the group on land and on the water were taken by Mr Wootton. after which the boats carried the load of singing holiday-makers down stream. Soon after five o’clock Riverton was left behind in the dusk and the party, who unanimously voiced the opinion that they had had a ripping day, arrived back in Invercargill by dusk. Thanks are due to the following gentlemen who generously put their cars at the disposal of the soldiers: Messrs A. M. Macdonald, T. C. Ellis,. P. H. Vickery. G. V. Cross, E. B. McKay, A. F. Hawke, and J. E. Watson, and also to Messrs H. Beer, W. Stirling. D. Wybrow, and H. Akhurst, who supplied the motorboats.