WELCOME HOME.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1788, 6 November 1919, Page 11

WELCOME HOME.

NEW BRIGHTON'S SOLDIERS. " In honour of the returned soldiers of New Brighton, the school children gathered with their parents and friends in.the Domain yesterday, there being a very large attendance. The children assembled at the school, and, headed by the drum and fife band, marched to the grounds, where the Mayor (Mr F. Klbblewhitc) addressed the children. Cheers were given, for the soldiers and their parents. The National' Anthem was played d by jlhe bond and sung by the children. Afternoon tea was provided under the supervision of Mesdames W. Bellamy and H. B. Clark. During the afternoon lolly scrambles, races, etc., were run by. the children. At the civic reception in the evening, th* Pier Hall was crowded, about 350 people sat down to supper, and a large number had to stand. The hall was gaily decjpated with bunting and evergreens. The Mayor presided, and with him were the Mayoress, Mr and Mrs Gamble, Messrs G. W. Bishop, C. H. Winny, F. Thompson, \V. Bellamy, and M. Malaquin. A lengthy toast list was honoured. "The King," proposed by" the chairman; "The Array and Navy," proposed by Mr F. V'-rd and responded to by Lieut. A. P. Hopkins; "Our Boys," proposed by the Mayor and supported by Mr G. W. Bishop, and re- ■ sponded to by Driver G. Owles of the New Zealand Artillery and Mr Cooper of the New Zealand Tunnelling Corps; "Parents and Wives," -Droposcd by the Hev. H. MathJas and responded to by Messrs C. H. Winny, A. W. Owles, and W. Miles; "The Allies," proposed by Mr C. Opic and responded to by M. Malaquin; "Ladies and Men Workers," proposed by Mr J. Gamble and responded to by Mesdames Staniland and Frank Thompson, Miss Reid, and Mr R. T. Lees. Mr G. W. Bishop, headmaster of the school, said that was the proudest day in his life. Old school boys to the number of 225 had responded to the call, and out of that number 40 would never come back, and 20 had earned distinction. His advice to the returned boys was to forget the war, settle down as quickly as possible, and get married. The Mayor (Mr F. Kibblewhitc) said that if those that were missing could speak they would say that they had laid down their lives willingly. New Brighton was proud of the boys who had come back. They had done their duty and upheld the honour of the 'borough. Mr Winny said that 80 per cent, of the members of the Boating Club had enlisted j with the Navy. During the intervals musical items were given by Mrs Ansley, Miss Spratt,' Miss Gamble, and Mr A. L. Cropp. Misses Edmonds and Spratt acted as accompanists. The hall was later cleared" for dancing, which was kept up to a late hour to the music of Mr Daborn's Orchestra.