INGLEWOOD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16613, 10 December 1919, Page 5

INGLEWOOD.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. December B—Thursday last was a red-letter-day for the Inglewood rcuirned soldiers, the official opening of their club taking place'-in the afternoon, and their first annual reunion and dinner being held in the Town Hull at night. Shortly alter 2.30 p.in., when tho billiard room, at tho Soldiers’ Club was comfortably filled with returned soldiers and friends, the Mayor (Mr. J. Sutherland), beioro callutg on Alajor lliuc, congratulated the soldiers on securing such a suitable building, lie paid a tribute to those who had made the supreme sacrifice, and to those who were maimed, and said that wo owed them all a debt of gratitude. Ho wished the members every success with their club and promised them all tho assistance in his power. He then called on Alajor llino to address them. Tho lion, gentleman was greeted with hearty applause. Ho was glad to see that , the returned men of this district had got a club which he hoped would prove to bo a haven of rest for them. Lie hoped they would never forget the poor unfortunate shell-shock and shattered nerve cases—those whom lie might term “human derelicts.” It was tile duty ol every citizen to stand by those soldiers aud help tbera whenever they needed help. He congratulated the members on the lino rooms they hud and said that when circumstances permitted lie would be pleased to join them and talk over old times, lie then handed the Rev. Hensley tho key of tho club and thanked him lor Ids efforts in connection with tho formation oi the institution.

Capiain Hartnell also added his congratulations. Ho referred to the absence uf furniture and hoped that those present would take up tho matter and furnish it with comfortable arm-chairs, etc., so that it would bo as a real home to the bovs.

Tile Rev. Beasley thanked tho speakers for their kindly expressions and their assistance. Ho wanted tho club to bo cosy and homely ami wished to make it known that tho members had emphatically agreed that there should bo no alcoholic drink allowed in tho chib, aud also that it would not bo a two-up school. Ho invited friends to come in at any time and inspect tho place aud see that it was deserving of support. Donations of weekly papers, magazines, etc., were asked for. The Mayor and .Major Hine played tho first game of billiards in tho club, tho Mayor proving the bettor player.

The first reunion of tho Inglewood returned soldiers took place in the Town Hall on Thursday evening, when 88 sat down to an excellent repast prepared by Air. G. Young. Tho tables were beautifully decorated with ixias, maidon-hair tern, etc., aud were much admired. Tins was the work of Airs. J. V. Grant and Miss Hopson. Lieut. Ayling presided and Dr. ,\l‘AUum acted as vice-president. The Mayor and several members of the' Borough Conned were present as guests. .Major Hi no arrived late in the'evening alter addressing a meeting at Lincoln Road.

Tho following was the toast list: “Tho King,” proposed by Lieut. Ayling; “Returned Soldiers’ Association,” proposed by the Mayor and responded to by Air. Carmine; “The Ladies," proposed by Air. Em'ngton, responded to by Air. Chapman; ‘-Absent Comrades,” proposed by Rov. Bensley and honoured in silence; ' ‘The Division,” proposed by Councillor F. Spindle, and responded to by Air. A. Raynor; “Army Nurses,” proposed bv Dr. AUAlIum, and responded to by Air. Higgs; “Lady Attendants and Caterer,” Air. Carmine.

Songs were sung by Alcssrs, Geddos, Raynor, Roberts, Coffee, Earp, Rev. Bensley, and Lieut. Ayling. the Alavor playing tho accompaniments. Air. Carmine stated that tho sum of £4OO was required to extinguish tho debt on tho new club, ami lie trusted that adequate support would bo forthcoming and so enable tho title deeds to be in their hands soon. Ho paid a tribute to tho Ladies’ Patriotic League for their assistance.

The “Diggers” mot with a very cordial reception hero on Friday night, tho Town Hall being packed to overflowing. Everyone was* delighted with tho entertainment, though many would have liked another quartette oi- so. T' P'U on ’ °f the Inglewood Post Office staff, had tho misfortune to lose ins left thumb through a motor-cycle accident yesterday. The unfortunate young follow is an inmate of tho Now Plymouth Hospital at present. Nurse Winfield, who lias been recuperating in Inglewood after her re£r nt 11'11053'I 1 ' 11053 ' returns to her duties at New Plymouth Hospital on Wednesday