FOR THE FRONT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11947, 5 March 1917, Page 7

FOR THE FRONT.

PRESENTATIONS TO SOLDIERS. On "Wednesday evening a successful social was held in the Leeston Town Hall in honour of Privates J. W. Bayliss, J. B. M'Manus and J. Taylor. The function was well attended, and tl 101*0 were visitors present from other parit' of the Ellcsmerc district. A .good musical programme was submitted, comprising songs by Misses L. B. Kilbrido and B. Oppenheim, and Messrs J. W. Bayliss and T. Delaney. Misses Laycock and M. Pressor played the aeeompaniinents. During the evening I)r Volckman, chairman of the< Leeston Patriotf-ic (Journal too, presented mo guests with a safety razor each, and conveyed to thorn the best wishes of their friends for a safe and speedy return. On behalf of the Leeston Volunteer Fire Brigade, Superintendent Ramsay present* 1! Private M'Manus with a case of pines as an expression of goodwill from his comrades. The music for a dance was supplied by Mrs J. F. Donald. •

There was a very largo- gathering at a send-off to Riflemen It. Hampton and E. F. Hannaford, and Privates T. J. and H. Carter, held in tho Houthbridge Town Hail on 'Thursday evening. A pleasant time wa.s spent in dancing to music supplied by Mr and Miss Thompson. Songs wero sung by Mrs W. Lochhead, Misses M'Kee, Willis and Kilbride, and Mr C. Thompson. Tho chairman of tho Patriotic Comniifcu>o, Mr E. G. Hubbard, delivered a short; add rosso and presented eacn of the four soldiers with the usual kit, containing a number of useful articles from the St .James's Red Cross Guild, -and handed to R-iiieman Hampton and Privates T. J. and H. Carter a safety razor each as gifts frora the residents of the district. He mentioned that, by arrangement, Rifleman Hannaford had received his present the previous evening at Sedgemere. The Rev G. Lindsay delivered a short address.

On Thursday evening Rifleman Hannaford was entertained at a social by tho residents of Sedgcmere in t-li<» new Public Hail. There was a very large attendance and a most enjoyable evening was .spent. The guest was the recipient of a wristlet watch, bearing a suitable* inscription. Dancing was kept up until the- early hours, interspersed with songs and other items. Mr and Mrs Kannat'ord gave a very enjoyable at homo "at their residence. " Batt afoul," on Tuesday evening in honour of their son. Visitors were present from Southbridgo, Loestoi), Sedgemero and Lakeside, and a very pleasant timo was spent. On Friday night the residents of Lakeside tendered a farewell to Privates R. A. Williamson and P. Campbell, to whom presentations were made. There was a largo l gathering at the Methven Town Hall on Friday evening to bid farewell to the men who are shortly leaving, for the front. Some of the men faroweiled are about to go into camp, while others were homo on leave. Mr W. Morgan presided, and addresses were given by the Rev W. A. Keav and the Rev G. Ait Ken. On behalf" of the district the chairman presented each soldier with a useful present, and expressed the wish that tho recipients would add further lustre to the county's scroll honour. The men facewellcd were.:—J. Allen, S. J. Bishop, A. G. 'J. '3i shop, H. G. Cranfield, M. Dumpliy, W. Goodwin, A. Gnddes, L. "Winnicott, F. Kennedy. L. Kelly, J. Mangin, J. Alarr, J. Pcarcc, -J. Payne, W.Timewel! and E. Watson. In the Hinds Hall last \v*>ek a sendoff was tendered to Privates J. Barrett, C- D. Chisnall, 11. M'Dowcll and M. and T. O'Connor, who aro down on leave. Mr A. Mocre presided. Mr J. M. Hampton, chairman of tho Patriotic Committee, presented each of tile soldiers with an engraved medal from their friends in Minds. On behalf ot tho Hinds Signal Troop, Private M'Dowell was presented with a silvermounted pipOj and Private Cliisnail with a set ot military brushes. ihe evening concluded with a dance. _ A number of tho friends of Private J. 'W. White, of the Twenty-third Re-ir.forceir.-eius. were at ihe Raugiora Railway Station on Saturday to see him off by tho midday train on t-he expiration of bin final leave. Tho Mayor (Mr O. I- Jennings), on behalf of the townspeople, expressed good wishes for his future and presented him with a soldier's companion and fountain pen from. the. Rnngiora Soldiers' Entertaininont Committee.

At the Salvation Army Barracks on Friday evening a. send-off was given to Private A. Martin, who is spending his leave in Temuka. During the evening Captain Hiiwke, of the Salvation Army, presented Private Martin with n safety razor and a money belt. Speeches were delivered by Mr T. Gunnion (chairman of tho Temuka Patriotic Entertainment Committee), and Messrs T. Tillbrook and J. Rive.