WELCOMED HOME.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16799, 1 April 1919, Page 2

WELCOMED HOME.

FAIRLIE SOLDIERS. | '. * ~ ! ! In sjiite of the heavy rain on Friday , night and the sudden fall in tempera- J tunc the station vas crowded with .peoplo/assembled to welcome home Pr'vatea P. Hani An and W. Coll. The 'arass band enlivened proceedings by playingj a number of patriotic nirs ; nnd when, 'the men stopped off the- train they wfjro greeted with very hearty cheers. Mr Talbot spoke a f'9\v words 'cf welcome aiid alluded to the fact that ,the families.', of both men had a fine .war record. ] They Were all glad to see them )iack. i again, and congratulated ; them.upon.,returning, as victors. A isociat.. welcome wo-uld he a-oorded them; in. the course, 'of the next we?k ,or two. . The ni p n were. f>gaiu entered, and the band played "God savs the. K'.ng." Cars were in attendance and the: soldiers and their relatives wef9 conveyed to their homes. -On'the ■ evpninsr a.''nijhUc reception was held in the Public; Hall in ■ honour of Corporal H. Loom**, Privates J. McCpnnell. -T. Syme«. T. Bu+-' ters. J;?M<*rari; T. T. a.nd W. JlaAfthur;who was not'"*' able ; K« ' rm a'' former oc-as'on "#as also included, and'lie received a most, cc-dfal The Hall was well fHled notwithstanding the in.cloniehcy of the weather, and a very bright enterta-nwent vns nerd. Miisic fii provided bv ftfis* T?rav a"d '•Messrs W. Orwiondv, -T. Bnrldick. H Fnd<?n and Walters. Mrs Talbot contributed a vocal item. The arrangements werej as usual, of the best, and Mr Bow Iter as M.C kept everyone busy. "During the evening the m?n were invited t/>.a seat on the stage, where they were accorded a very hearty reception:- i Mr-C. J. Talbot,M.P, welcomed them "oacfc on behalf of tihow present, nnd spoke of the fine service rendered by, them ' and their mates. Corporal. Loomes, amid cheers, replied • £or himself attd 'his comrades: They .appreciated the warmth of the welcome, ; I and thanked/the people, especially the social committee fov the many comforts V they had received at the front. ,Es-* ;pecially>' welcome -Was the monthly letter editedby the/Rev. H. O. Hanby; On Jeaxing the stage the rreeni . werei again chitereS, and, their comrades at -homeiahS.-Droad /were hot forgotten. ■ Supper was proyidedi and dancing w-as iill -shortly after inidnjghty 'wheii ¥ verse' of (thq National4An"'henx .brought the proceedings to a close..