OKOKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16610, 6 December 1919, Page 6

OKOKE.

SOLDIERS WELCOMED HOME.

Okoke was en fete on Thursday, the occasion being a welcome home to the returned soldiers of the district. Over 200 residents and visitors were present to do honour to the 17 men of the district who had so gallantly responded to their country’s call. The function took place in the school grounds, where a marquee had been placed., Close ; on 200 people sat down to a sumptuous lunch. The tables fairly.groaned under the bountiful and varied load they carried. The menu was one that would have put to shame many a firsi>class hotel, and the tables were most artistically arranged by the ladies. The lunch was presided over by tne RejMr. Barnitt, and several toasts were proposed, the principal ones being, the “King,” by Mr. M'Keown; “The Amy and Ivavy/’ proposed by Sir. Halcomhe. replied to by Lieutenant Hayward, and Sergeant R. V. Blundell; that of The Ladies,” proposed by Mr Smith anij feelingly responded to by Mr. Lee an« Mr. T. Wright. , After luncheon very handsome medals suitably inscribed, were presented ti Lieutenant Hayward, Sergeant R. Blundell, D.0.M., Sergeant Weston, Private W. P. Jones, Private A. B. Jones, Driver J. B. Jones, Gunner J. Rockett, Private 6. Renah, Private R. Reid, Private C. Ekdahl, Private W. Henwood, Private G. W. Whittaker, Private J. Whittaker, Private A. J. Jones, Private G. PestelL Private W. J. Wright, Private N. Howard. -Medals were also presented to relatives of Privates N. Jones and J. Derby, who made the supreme sacrifice. The medals were presented bv Mr. Darke and pinned on by Miss M. Ekdahl. Lieutenant Hayward thanked the residents heartily on behalf'of tne returned hoys. A very pleasant afternoon was spent in playing games, and at night a dance was held in the school, which fittingly brought to a close a day memorable to the Okoke folk. '