BACK FROM THE WAR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17554, 25 April 1919, Page 5

BACK FROM THE WAR.

A WARM WELCOME HOME.

The Fire Brigade Hall was the scene of a niosft enjoyable function last evening, when Mr. and Mrs. T.-J. Price, of Anzac Parade, entertained relatives and friends, to the number of about a huhdred, at a social to welcome home their son, Gunner Thomas Price, who recent* iy returned to New -Zealand after four * and a half year's' active service. A notable feature of the evening was the fact that no fewer than sixty*ei* mem>toers of the Price family were present to <do honour to their soldier relative.

After dancing, the party adjourned to the festive board, a sumptuous supper being provided by Dustins, tft*L Mr. L. J. Sigley occupied the chair, and after the toast of "The King*" he proposed the health of the guest of the evening. In doing so, Mr. Sigley said: 'Surely I need not tell yon th<M> I regard it as a great privilege to pr@6i.de at such a gathering as this. I&m »ofc an envious man, but if there ftr« »fiy people in this Dominion With whom I should lib© to change plac*B> it is those fathers whose solte have done fco HWbly in the Great Adventure. Proud indeed they must be when they look into €hfc war-worn faces of thteir hero SonS, &ftd realise what they hftve done Aftd guttered in th© cause of humanity, la ttrt knowledge of their glorious achievelneiltl and well-won fame, the* fathers fcf «Mir soldiers must surely find some consolation for the years of strain M*fl aASrefcy through which they hay© passed* Aftd th© mothers—the brave, patient^ lon&BUffering mothers—whftt eulogy is too great for them! The spfcftk^F has not been born Who could db full jttfcfcfc* to their Quiet, self-sacrificing herofctth Truly, Mrs. Price, your heart InufA b* filled with joy and pride to-nignt»: joy because of the fact that your dfealf oil* has been spared to return to you, and nride because of th© knowledge that Providence hns blessed you Vii a j»n who, white still in the t»nd«*r years of youth; hns proved himself ia tftttJi a soldier and a matt.' That your foy &ttd pride are ishared by your itJativtes &w! friends is manifested by their presft»c*j hem to-night. They are here With glftd Marts to congratulate the happy pkrfcntfc and honour their soldier^on, »M ft Jt my privilege and pleasure t© wiw ikti congratulations tvf this jjjoodly company, and oft behalf of all of tlwsm to extend heartfeb good wiahes to the youthful veteran and hw gallant 6&jnn*6*««i Gunner Thomas Price went iftto «fc»np on the 16th August, 1014, ftnd teft ths Bommion on 16th Octoljer, 1914. H« sel-ved at Gallipoli and then went to France, and Waa the leftdiiftg irivir in his company in th© great 86mm« push. Ho returned oh 16th April, I^lo, having been on active service 4i years. He was 18 years of mac w*h«ft M Wtni away, and he sspent hi* 21st birthday ir. the trenohfes. H© Will be S3 yfearS old on 17th May. Wear« tsftletirfeting hit* 21st birthday to-night. I invite you all to join with m^ in toasting his good health.

The toast r-aa honoured enthusiastically, and the young soldier sn&4»->a suitable reply. Other toasts were "lleturntd Soldiers," proposed by Mr. H. Townsend and responded to by Messrs*Wm. Price, Thomas,, Haar and Dornbusch; "The Parents," proposed by Mr. Eastman, and responded to by 'Mr. T. J. Price; and "The Ladies," proposed toy Mi. W. G. Price.

A most enjoyable social gathering ■was concluded with "Auld Lang Syme.':