SOLDIERS FAREWELL AT BAYSWATER

Southland Times, Issue 17970, 10 March 1917, Page 2

SOLDIERS FAREWELL AT BAYSWATER

(From Our Own Correspondent). When it became known that Private G. D. Low (who went to camp with the 24ths) was coming down on final leave, the residents of Bayswater clubbed together and arranged a very pleasant evening in the form of a social and dance in honour of the popular young man Private G. D. Low (who is the eldest son of Mr G. Low), lived amongst us from childhood up, and in consequence his popularity covered a wide area. The function was held in Mr A. Souness's barn last Friday evening and a record crowd gathered for the occasion. Mr Souness made a most efficient chairman. Mrs Cupples arranged the programme, which was of a very lengthy and varied nature, the following, contributing : Miss Scatter and Mrs . Cupples, duet; Miss Willis, recitation; Misses Scatter and Prendergast, songs; Mr McCall, pianoforte solo; Messrs Anderson. Kilgour, Essen, and .1. T, Wilson, songs. At a suitable Interval the Rev. A. MacDonald made the presentation, and in the course of his remarks intermingled wit and humour which kept the audience in a ripple of laughter. The sqeaker said they had known Private Low all their lives and felt sure he would uphold the traditions of the British soldier, and asked him to accept as a slight token of the esteem in which he was held, an illuminated wristlet watch and Autostrop safety razor. Mr Mac Donald also touched on the subject of eugenic societies, and ventured the opinion that if all the young men and ladies were medically examined prior to marriage, on the same lines as the Medical Board examines recruits, the nuptial knots to the would be few and far between. Others to speak in eulogistic terms of Private G. D, Low were Messrs E. Henderson, J. T. Wilson, G. Parmenter, A. Willis, A, Fisher, and J. Sounness. Private Low, In a brief speech, thanked them for their valuable presents and kind expressions. The ladies then Landed round supper, after which the barn was cleared and dancing Indulged in for the rest of the evening. The Scottish element -was in evidence hy a skirl on the bagpipes from Messre McKenzie and Patterson. The customary vote.s of thanks were passed and a very enjoyable evening was terminated by the ringing of Auld Lang Syne.