PRESENTATIONS TO SOLDIERS

Southland Times, Issue 25691, 28 June 1943, Page 3

PRESENTATIONS TO SOLDIERS

DISTRICT FUNCTIONS CLIFDEN.— The hall was the scene of a large gathering to honour Privates W. Jones and J. Pearce, Sapper W. Dowling and Trooper W. Scott. Mr D. O’Brien presented each soldier with an envelope containing a sum of money from the local residents. Mrs A. Miln made a presentation to each on behalf of the W.D.F.U. Mr O’Brien also made a presentation to Sapper Dowling on behalf of the Orawia Football Club. LIMEHILLS.— A record, crowd attended a dance in the Limehills hall to honour soldiers of the district on leave, Privates A. H. Murphy, C. Hammond, W. Cuthbert and Albert and Allan Payne. Tributes were paid to the guests by Messrs T. Morgan, chairman of the local committee, J. Reid and C. Watson and gifts were handed to each man. Comforts were distributed on behalf of the Limehills Women’s Patriotic Committee to the guests and Ito other soldiers present from surl rounding districts by Mrs W. J. McI Naught. On behalf of the Limehills I Cricket Club, Mr G. Kettle made a prel sentation to Private Hammond. ARROWTOWN.— There was a record attendance at a function held in Arrowtown in honour of five local soldiers. Mr M. Elliott and Mr W. H. James, Mayor of Arrowtown, were the speakers. The men honoured were Lance-Bombardier A. Reid, Privates E. J. Saunders, C. Wahrlick, T. A. Johnston and J. B. Summers. The presentation of an inscribed fountain pen to each soldier was made by Mr Elliott on behalf of the residents and Mrs J. Reid, president of the Arrowtown branch of the W.D.F.U., presented each man with a gift from the branch. Private Johnston was also the recipient of a gift from the residents of Gibbston. Special mention was also made of Sergeant Pilot C. Allan, who was present, as being the first of the district to gain his wings. A hearty welcome home was extended to Private F. Lake, who had recently returned wounded.

QUEENSTOWN.— There was a good attendance at the dance arranged in honour of Private M. Davidson, of Queenstown. The speakers were Dr W. A. Anderson, Mr R. J. Fuller, president of the R.S.A., and the Rev. D. K. Boyd. Dr Anderson stated that the opportunity had been taken during the day to make a presentation to Sergeant G. Murchison, who was unable to be present. Dr Anderson handed a gift of money to Private Davidson and wished him a safe and speedy return. Miss E. Davies, president of the Queenstown branch of the W.D.F.U., handed Private Davidson a gift from the branch. TUATAPERE.— The boxing gymnasium was well filled when a social was held in honour of Private J. Ballantyne and Signalman D. O’Leary. Mr H. McDonald made a presentation to the guests, and Mr A. P. McDonald expressed the good wishes of the citizens. Parcels of knitted goods were given to all local soldiers on leave and cigarettes were presented to all visiting soldiers. WAIKANA — Private William Shanks, was entertained at a social in the Waikana school. A presentation of an envelope of notes was made to Private Shanks by Mr D. Sinclair on behalf of the residents of the district. Messrs J. Henderson, lan Haggitt and G. Hastie also spoke. Private Shanks is the fourth member of the family of Mr and Mrs J. A. Shanks to enter the forces.

TISBURY.— The hall was well filled for a dance in honour of Privates M. Frisken and A. J. Thomsen and Trooper A. J. Penny. Mr J. Girvan, chairman of the local committee, made a presentation to the guests. Other speakers were Mr A. J. Collie, on behalf of the Returned Services Association, and Mr W. McChesney. HEDGEHOPE.— The Social evening given to Private J. K. L. McLeod, by the residents of the Hedgehope-Glen-coe district was a most successful and well-attended function. The chairman, Mr J. Sanderson, in presenting the guest with an engraved wallet of notes, conveyed the good wishes of all. Various other speakers endorsed the chairman’s remarks and Mrs J. Sanderson, on behalf of the local branch of the W.D.F.U. made a presentation.