FAREWELL!

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 174, 28 August 1914, Page 8

FAREWELL!

GOOD-BYE TO THE FORCE. A PUBLIC CEREMONY. The best method of giving the Canterbury Expeditionary -Force a suitable aud hearty send-off from Christchureh is being discussed pretty freely, and various suggestions will be made during the next few days. We have received the following letter from Mr J. J. Dougall, which embodies a suggestion which no doubt will appeal to a great many people: — 1 Sir, —The citizens are being asked to subscribe to so many funds, and are subscribing so liberally that I feel somewhat diffident about suggesting a further call upon their generosity. Notwithstanding this, I venture to suggest that we should give the Canterbury Contingent a public farewell, and I think the best and simplest way of doing this would be to give them a gigantic Smoking Concert in King Edward Barracks some day next week. The Barracks could' seat between :>OOO rnd 4000 people, and the affair miglii; easily be self-supporting. Our boys are going to do the fighting for us, and we ought to have an opportunity of giving .them an eyeniug's .enjoyment, -anil saying a few words to them. I shall be glad if. those willing to assist will meet at the City Council Chambers at noon on Saturday. His Worship the Mayor has kindly consented to help the movement. . I hope that vou also, sir, will assistl am, etc.,

J. J. DOUGALL.

The subject was mentioned to Colonel Chaffev, who was entirely sympathetic with the idea of holding some function of the kind suggested. He said that he

would be very pleased to confer with Colonel Smith and the officers in command of the mounted and infantry regiments in camp, and ascertain their He believed that some arrangement could be arrived at which would be eminently satisfactory.