BEACONSFIELD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16820, 27 May 1919, Page 4

BEACONSFIELD.

HETUBNEp o'OLDIERS .WELCOMED Residents of tho Beacowmeld and surrounding district attended at the Beaconsfiold Mall in large numbers on i'riday night to welcome four soldiers belonging to ' the district—Corporal Uatson (a Main Body man), Corporal Wilson, and Privates Hutton and Wilkins. or>T' le atten^ance w aa estimated at 200, and the men wore Riven an enthusiastic welcome. Mr White presided, and the address of welcome was given 'oy Mr T. Buxton, of Timaru, who also presented the gold medaJs. A merry time was spent in dancing, and all appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly. Mr Buxton said ho was pleased to be present and to have the pleasure of. presenting thle medals to soldiers who had done such good work for New Zealand and the Empire. New Zealand would be better known and more ■highly thought of in the future, very largely owing to the outstanding bravery and good work done by our boys at the front. A lot had been done for our soldiers while on active service, particularly by the ladies, and they deserved to have much done for them: in the future. A section of the community bad reaped huge profits as the result of this wideuworld war and the Government milst pofc T>9 a }i owe d t n forget- jtjie-ir duty to the men who had fought and won. There was no question about what ought to be done; and to hjs mind no mjestioji as to what must lie done. They were continually hearing complaints "by the soldiers that the Government were not givinfr: them a fair deal. He for one would do al] jn his power to have justice meeted out to the men who had done so much. (Applause.) Mr Buxton called for cheers foe the boys, and these were given right. heart 7 fly, Coniornl Watson went out with the; Main Body, and sowed in Egypt, °u Gallipoli and in Franco, taking part in many of the most important engagements. Corporal Wilson also saw much active service, as did also Private Hutton and Private Wilkin. Each recipient of the medal was heartily cheered as tile medal was pinned on his breast by one or another of bis specio' lady admirers present. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Buxton for having gone out from Timaru to address the meeting and present the medals, the vote being carried by applause.