CITY SOLDIERS HONOURED

Southland Times, Issue 24376, 5 March 1941, Page 8

CITY SOLDIERS HONOURED

TRIBUTE BY SPORTING BODIES Members of the Invercargill Amateur Cycling Club held a social last evening in honour of two of its members, Troopers T. E. Waddick and H. J. Webb. In presenting each with a razor, Mr C. D. Patton, expressed, on behalf of members of the club, best wishes. Before his return to camp after spending leave in Invercargill, Corporal E. W. Graham was met by representatives of various sports bodies in Southland and presented with a money wallet. All the speakers referred to Corporal Graham’s keen interest in sport and wished him a successful military career. Mr J. M. Ford was chairman at the function. FUNCTION AT FIRST CHURCH A function in honour of Trooper C. Campbell and Private Gordon A. Boyce was held in Central Hall last evening by members of the congregation of First Presbyterian Church. On behalf of the congregation the Rev. J. A. Thomson presented the guests with holdalls. He assured them that they would be always in the thoughts of the congregation. He was sorry, he said, that there were others who found it impossible to be present. Other speakers were Messrs W. Aitchison, A. Allan and W. A. McCaw. A presentation was also made to Private Boyce by members of the Senior Young Men's Bible Class. Mr A. G. Gardiner, on behalf of members of the class, wished Private Boyce success and presented him with a crystal tray. Mr T. Page also spoke and Private Boyce replied. Items were given during the evening by Misses G. and M. Hunter (songs), Miss Audrey Hay and Mr G. Gardiner (recitations) and Mr G. Paterson SOCIAL AT MATAURA A social and dance was given by the Mataura Kilties in honour of SergeantMajor I. G. Buchanan, who is at present on leave. There was a large attendance. During the evening a presentation of an envelope was made to the guest. Sergeant-Major Buchanan was piped on to the stage by Pipers W. Richmond and D. McLeod. The speakers were Mr J. Williams, president of the Mataura Returned Soldiers’ Association, and the Mayor of Mataura, Mr C. D. McConnell.

A euchre competition was won by Mr D. McGowan, Mr W. Richmond being second, while the final aggregate was won by Mrs Ryan, with Mrs R. Sleeman second. SOLDIER HONOURED The popularity of Gunner Gordon Wyeth was shown last evening when a large gathering of friends met in the Woodlands hall for a social in his honour. Gunner Wyeth was piped into the hall by Mr S. J. Morrison. Mr J. Middlemiss was chairman. A short concert programme was presented, the following giving items: — The Rev. G. E. Dallard, pianofort solo; Miss J. Hesselin, vocal solo; Miss L. Walker, instrumental 'item; Valmai Wyeth, step dance; Miss M. Fahey, vocal solo; Mr J. Henderson (Tussock Creek), melodian selection; C. Sellars (Seaward Downs), bagpipe selection. After the concert programme Mr Middlemiss, in speaking of the good qualities of the guest, said he had lived in Woodlands all his life, and was respected by all who knew him. Captain W. Bell congratulated Gunner Wyeth on the step he had taken. He also conveyed good wishes to Gunner J. Tierney, who was present.

The Rev. Mr Ballard, Messrs R. Hewitt and M. P. Schmidt also spoke. Mrs A. McKee, president of the women’s patriotic committee, presented Gunner Wyeth with a wristlet watch on behalf of the Woodlands residents. On behalf of the women’s patriotic committee she also presented him with a parcel of knitted comforts. Music for tbe dancing was supplied by Mrs G. Brown. Extras were played by Miss M. McKenzie and Mr J. Henderson. Mr J. Middlemiss was master of ceremonies. SOCIAL AT BAY ROAD About 200 persons attended a social for Gunners F. H. Broad and H. R. Broad and Private J. Henderson at Bay road last night. In making a presentation to the guests of the evening, Mr E. Russell spoke of the good qualities of the men. The three guests replied. FUNCTION AT PAPATOTARA More than 400 persons attended a social and dance held in the Papatotara hall last evening in honour of those soldiers belonging to the Tuatapere district at present on leave. The Western District Pipe Band piped the soldiers into the hall before the dance. During the evening a presentation was made to each soldier. Mr C. F. Bruce was chairman, and was assisted by Messrs P. Hamilton and A. D. McClymont who spoke on behalf of the residents and the sporting bodies respectively. Mr Bruce spoke on behalf of the Returned Soldiers’ Association and presented a sum of money to each of the men.

Miss McEwan also made a presentation of a parcel of comforts from the knitting circle. Those honoured were Signalman D. Higgins, Driver B. H. Benne worth, Sappers S. V. Barnett, H. W. Dixon, Privates R. Baker, S. T. Brown, H. L. Cook, J. F. Sheehan, A. J. Horman and A Ward. Privates K. McFadgen and

Sutherland were unable to attend. Ten visiting soldiers and one airman were each presented with a gift. Two members of the pipe band, Privates Norman, of Tuatapere, and A. Evans, of Happy Valley, received gifts from the band. Items were given by Messrs F. Williams, songs, and A. Higgins, mouth organ solos. FUNCTION AT FAIRFAX A function in honour of Private F. Watkinson was held in the Fairfax Hall on Monday night. Mr H. Rankin was chairman. Mr C. Stalker, on behalf of those present, presented Private Watkinson with a watch. Mr J. Fraser also spoke and Private Watkinson replied.