SPECIAL CONSTABLES HONOURED.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14884, 26 January 1914, Page 7

SPECIAL CONSTABLES HONOURED.

AN OXFORD FUNCTION"

In the East Oxford Town Hall on Friday night the Oxford branch of the New /Jealand Fanners' I'nion tendered a complimentary social to thoso young men who went from the district to act as special constables at Lyttelton during the late strike. The president (Mr S. Weld) presided, and there was » representative- gathering. Humphrey's Band provided tho music for the dance, and songs wor>' given by Mr James Struthfrs. of Invorcargifl, and Mr CH. Tidy. Mrs Arthur Dorn was accompanist, and Mr Jos. McCormack acted as secretary. Mr Weld complimented tho young men on their meritorious conduct in going to Lyttelton to assist to removo the ''blockade." They had submitted to a certain amount of unpopularity from a section of the community by their action, and the Farmers' Union was endeavouring to give some tangiblo proof of their appreciation. Mrs S. WeM then presented each of tho special constables with a gold modal. On behalf of tho special constables, Mr F. Gorton roturnc-d thanks. Mr J. OHnlloran spoke in eulogistic terms of tho splendid work done by tho eiiecial constables, and averred that through their action tho ports would nover again be held up as they had been. In roforring to those before him. he said that their conduct in port na<! been excellent, and ho quoted a letter from Colonel Chaffey. who said:—"Tho 'specials,' one and all, did good work for the country, and I was very proud to be in command of such a fine body of men."