GERALDINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 1682, 31 May 1919, Page 2

GERALDINE.

SOLDIERS' SOCIAL. There "was a very largo gathering in the Drill Hall, Geraldine, on Thursday night at a welcome iiome social to returned soldiers. The: hall was tastefully decorated ior the occasion. As the soldiers* entered the, building they were loudly applauded. The proceedings were opened by the I Band pljiying the National,.,: Anthem, after which a pragrarmme of songs, quartettes, humorous- pieces;- mstruV. mental music, etc. including a clarionet solo by Mi- O'Connor whicn was much appreciated, was presented-by.a Timaru musical party, which included Messrs O'Connor, Donqhup, <3rerar, ana Nay-: lor,. Mr Collins . sfcccpmpanyng, and every item was encored. During tlie evening, too, the Goraldino Brass Band under Bandmaster Simmons 'played a, , number of selections, for whiph they gained considerable applause. ■ Major Kennedy, whq presided, said the object of the gathering was to welcome the boys who had returned and to show their appreciably of all that they had done. Now they had returned he trusted that they would return to civil life as soon as possible and thereby serve their country as they had done at ihe front.

The Mayor, Mi' B. R-. Macdonald, then cordially welcomed the men home, mentioning that that was the twentyfirst occasion on .which he bad welcomed men from the front. He alsq congratulated Captain J. Mackenzie on liis promotion, which took place at Cologne while on active service, but with his usual modesty Captain Mackenzie had said nothing about it, and it was only now they discovered it. liey were pleased and proud to acknowledge all that these men had done for them. The people could never do enough for the men who had fought for them. He then called for cheers for the men and these were given with a will.

Major Kennedy moved a hearty vote of thanks to the musical party " from Timaru, to the Band and to the ladies' committee, and this was carried by acolamation, Mr Naylor acknowledging the compliment on behalf of the visitors.

Supper was then served to the soldiers, their friends, and those who had taken part in the entertainment, ; after which there was dancing for a couple of hours or so. CAPTAIN MACKENZIE. Captain Mackenzie, son of Colonel Mackenzie, Geraldine, arrived at his home on Sunday, having come with the draft from the Paparoa. He left New Zealand with the sth Reinforcements, Canterbury Mounted Rifles, as Quarter-master-Sergeant. Ho saw service on Gnllipoli and was present at the evacuation. Returning to Egypt he took part in the Palestine campaign, up to the first 'oattle of Gaza, when he was 'given a Commission, sent to France, and posted to the Otago Battalion of the 4th Infantry Brigade as Quartermaster. Or the 4tli Brigade being broken up he was posted to the Otago Battalion of the 2nd Brigade, and wat, in all the operations from the Battle of Messines till the _ signing of the Armistice, accompanying his battalion to Cologne. He was promoted .. to Captain in January last while stationed a "Cologne.