MOKAU DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16037, 23 January 1918, Page 6

MOKAU DISTRICT NEWS.

FROM Otm OWN CORRESPONDENT. January 21.—A large crowd assembled in the Public Hall. Mokau, on tho night of tho 19th inst., to welcome home from the seat of war Rifleman Cecil Randell. Mr. H. Maine, chairman of the local Patriotic Society, who was the chief spokesman on liie occasion, extended a hearty welcome to the guest of -tlio evening. Rifleman Randell left the Dominion along with the 17th Reinforcements over a year back. Since tha> time he had been in many a hardfought conflict, and had been in some of the heaviest! fighting on the western front. At the Battle of Mcssinos ho had tho misfortune to lose his left arm —a misfortune ho need hardly say deeply regretted by every man and woman in the hall that night. However, as Rifleman Randell looked round upon that company be could not but feel proud to sec so many old and now friends assembled to do him honour. On their-part they were proud to have him in their midst again, and in token thereof he had very great pleasure in presenting 1 tor his acceptance a handsome gold medal with tho inscription; “Pmsented to Rifleman C. Randell by bis Mokau and district friends on his return from active service, January 19, 19.15.” In handing this to Rifleman Randell he asked him to accept it as a slight memento of the groat esteem in which he was held throughout tho community, and he trusted that in the years to come, when this great war would be but a memory of the past, it would remain with him as a visible reminder of the call to arms and duty done.

Rifleman Randell, upon rising to respond, was greeted with loud cheers. He said ho felt- speech-making was not his strong point, and he hoped, his hearers would be satisfied with little. He was very grateful for the kind' wishes expressed on all sides. Ho admitted ho was unfortunate in losing an jinn, but recognised it might just as easily have been his head, which he thought would have been more unfortunate still. He thanked the people of tho district for their hapdsome gift and could assure them no matter what part of tho world, -laid claim to him in the future his heart would still- bo with tho people who had given him such a splendid reception that night. During the evening proceedings were enlivened by songs by the - following ladies and' gentlemen:—Mrs. E. Sampson, Misfe Hazel Sampson, Miss B. Cane, Mr. C. Chittenden, Mr. Rikihnna, Mr. W. Terrill, Mr. T. White. The musician for the evening was Mrs. C. Cliristofferson (piano). Extras were played by Mrs. A. Solo (piano), Mr. A. Sole (cornet), and Mr. A. G. Sampson (violin). Dancing was indulged in until far past midnight, and the gathering broke np to the strains' of “For he’s a jolly good fellow.”