DISTRICT NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 7674, 22 January 1918, Page 1

DISTRICT NEWS.

ti-ABIiS’ VALLEY. I’UKSFNTATiON TO PRIVATE RAV HOPKINS. (From Our Own Correspondent. I A successful farewell social ami presentation was tendered lo Private, hay Hopkins in the (1 apes' Valley Mali on Tiimsday evening, January HMh, about, Id couples being prescnl. Owing (o the had skate of the weather Ihe allendanee was much smaller Hum usual. Mr A. Beyder, seerelary of Urn .Patriotic Commitlee,, occupied 1 lie chair, and introduced the guest of (ho evening. lie spoke very highly of the. soldier’s parents and grand-parents, .mentioning that lie had known the latter To years ago, and I bat if the depart i»,g soldier had Hie energy and courage of Ids ances'toi > he was sure >he would make a name for himself. and uphold the honour of the district. His grand-[iarents were practically the pioneers of New Brighton, and built what is the present, hotel. .Mr 11.I 1 . Mulviidll was then called on lo present the soldier with a wristlet walcli, engraved with name and date. In doing so he spoke very highly of the soldier and his family, being intimate with, them ever since (hey cainn lo (he district. Mr Hopkins had already given two sons, who had paid the supreme sacrifice, and much sympathy was, fell for the lam/ily by the people of the district, and all hoped that the present guest would be spared to come back covered with glory. Mr Mulviidll llien read a letter from ihe Defence Minister, expressing sympathy with Hie bereaved parents, also stating that Mr Haerop Hopkins, one of Hie son s killed, had earned Hie D.S.O. for bravery on the field. This would he handed to Ills parents later on. Mr, J. Me Naught on, also spoke, very highly of Hie soldier and his family, and endorsed all that, was previously said of them. lie then wished ike soldier (loti-speed and a safe return. \

At intervals during the presentation the Valley Orchestra played the National (Anthem, “Marseillaise,” and ‘'Star Spangled Banner. The audience sang- "For he’s a jolly goad fellow,” which was followed by three hearty cheers.

The chairman statjed that lie had received a letter from Driver A. Walton, thanking the people of the district (through Hie Committee) and the Ladies’ Sewing (lull'd, for the Christinas pared sen! by tfiem, (Ho slated that ii arrived in lirst-class condition, and looked as if it had only been packed a few days, and that every article was of great use. It was not wo much, the value of the pared as the saint in which it was sent Hint lie appreciated, and he felt lie could no) express his. feelings for the kindness and thoughtfulness of those he left behind.

The dancin';' programme was theft resumed, (he musicians boitijj ihe \ alloy. Orchestra. .Mr -I. Tindall, of flJllon, acted as M.O. very elUcicntly throughout (lie whole evening. During ('he evening songs were eontriImted by Messrs S. Ilevder, \V. Toomey, 15, Hopkins, and Private 0. Williams. An excellent supper was provided by the ladies, and was done, full justice to by all. At the commencement of the dance, the grand march was headed by Private Ray Hopkins and bis mother, next, followed Air Bert Hopkins and partner, and then Private 0. Williams and partner. Twenty couples worn in the inarch. l-’.xtra dance music was played by Messrs. A!, .Patrick, 11. Patrick, S. Heyder, (I. Fletcher, [Private (i. Williams, awl Miss A. Bye. -Miss Klcie Hall, of (tapes’ V a lVy, fastened the watch on to the soldier’s wrist, amidst load applause, there were visitors from Timara, Teinuka, ivakahu, Pleasant Valley, b'alnelilf, Hilton, . (leraldine, and North Island, amongst them luting two returned soldiers, who had just arrived from the front—Private <l. Williams and Private -I, I!, Bradshaw. Both of I lies? mm were members of llte Phil Keinforeements. A most pleasant evening was I hen brought to a Hose with the singing of “Auld hang Syne” and the National Anthem, anti three eheers for Private R a y Hopkins.