FUNCTIONS FOR SOLDIERS

Southland Times, Issue 24623, 20 December 1941, Page 4

FUNCTIONS FOR SOLDIERS

COUNTRY CENTRES ..GUMMIES BUSH— A large gathering was present at the Gummies Bush Hall when a social in honour of V.A.D. Jessie Reidie, Private E. J. Willis and Ordinary Seaman G. Hamlin was held. Mr S. Barron presided and the presentation was made by Mr W. B. Hopcroft. Other speakers were Mr W. Prentice and the Revs. H. C. Wright and J. A. F Watson. Dining the evening Mr Watson made a presentation to Miss Reidie on behalf of the Presbyterian Church. GLENHAM.— A dance and presentation in honour of Private A. Dodd was held in the Glenham Hall recently. Mr S. C. Clarke, president of the Wyndham R.S.A. presented the guest of the evening with a wristlet watch. Other speakers were Messrs A. Rae, J. Wright, A. Ferguson, E. Todd and T. Hunter.

MOKORETA.— A social and presentation in honour of Private W Murray was held in the Mokoreta hall. Mr J. Foster made a presentation to the guest of the evening. Messrs G. Anderson, G. Jefferis, G. Mcßae and M. McFadyen also spoke. Mrs D. D. Hopkins presented the guest with a gift from the Wyndham Comforts Committee.

WINTON. — There was a large attendance of Winton and district residents at the farewell social and dance in honour of Corporal W. Boyle and Privates F. Gill and A. S. Luscombe. The Mayor (Mr Neil Metzger), in making the presentation, welcomed the eight visiting soldiers, and referred to the fact that representatives of the Army, Navy and Air Force were present at the function .He wished the men good luck and a safe return. Messrs C. F. Grimwood, president of the local R.S.A., and W. J. Bennett, president of the Patriotic Association, also spoke. The Mayoress made presentations of cigarettes to the visiting men.

EDENDALE.— There was a good attendance at a social and presentation in honour of Private Murray and Stoker Ward who were on leave. Two soldiers, Privates Park and Botting were unable to be present. Mr E. McCall, president of the Edendale R.S.A., made a presentation to the men. Stoker Ward was given a parcel from the local branch ot the W.D.F.U. Two soldier members of Alma Lodge, 1.0.0. F., No. 34, Trooper W. Blair and Private F. Peters, were entertained by the members at a social evening. There was a good attendance and Bro. John Rabbidge, N.G., was in the chair. The present of a wallet to Private Blair and a money belt to Private Peters was made by the chairman. Other visitors present were Messrs S. Clarke, president of Wyndham R.S.A. and Mr A. A. Wilson, representing Wyndham Patriotic Society. BRYDONE.— A social and dance was held in the Brydone Hall in honour of Leading Aircraftman F. G. Smith. The chairman, Mr G. Archibald, made a presentation and wished the guest every success and a speedy return.

COLAC BAY.— At the social to local soldiers given in the Drill Hall at Colac Bay, Mr H. McFarlane presided and presented Private C. Woodward, Gunner J. Fisher and Sergeant A. Wadsworth, with a money belt. Private J. Thompson, who had returned north earlier in the week, was presented with his gift from the Colac committee at a function given by Oraki residents.

SPAR BUSH: A social and dance in honour of Privates Jack and Arthur Ryan was held in the Spar Bush Hall. The chairman, Mr A. Miles, in making a presentation to the guests of the evening, spoke of their sterling qualities and wished them a safe and speedy return. Other speakers were Mr J. McDonough, on behalf qf the R.S.A., and Mr J. O’Meara, on behalf of the Otahuti Football Club who made a presentation to the guests. Parcels were presented from the Women’s Institute and the Citizens’ Association. Visiting soldiers received small gifts. WAIKAKA VALLEY.— There was a good attendance at a social given in honour of Private C. Cunningham in Mr W. Aitken’s barn, Waikaka Valley. Mr R. Cumming was chairman and he extended a welcome to Private Cunningham, referring to the esteem in which he was held in the district. During the evening a presentation was made to the guest by Major McDowell, on behalf of those present.