DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15872, 11 April 1917, Page 10

DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

TABIOUS PRESENTATIONS.

A euchre tournament and social was held in the Town Hall, Little River, on Thursday eve-ning, in honour of Corporal Robers and Troopers Harkiss and Poharama, who are on final leave. There was a .very large attendance. Euchre was played till 'J. 30, and dancing was kept up till 11.40 p.m. 'During the evening a presentation of a safety razor and money belt- nits made to cach of the soldiers by the chairman of the Patriotic Committee (Mr J. 0. Coop), who wished them luck and a, safe return. A present of a pipe from the Cricket Club was made to Trooper Harkiss by the Rev. Mr McClayerty .xupper was provided by the ladies of the district. On Monday evening, in the Public Hall. Springs'ton. there was the largest gathering vet met. to say an revoir to Privates*\V. H. Tyson. J'\ W. Parish, C. I p,owon. G. 11. Hamilton, T. D. Everest, i E. Tavlor. and AY. Payne, down on tinal | lonvc.' Those were each presented by ! Mr J. AY. Kime (chairman), on be.halt 1 of the residents, .with a gold medal, | suitably engraved. Private AV. H. I Tyson responded on behalf of hif. motes. ! Tho Revs. \\". U. Scott, and V. 13. I.edgrnve addressed the gathering. .Hie. programme was ably supplied by anumbcr of friends from lai Tapu. Those contributing items were Airs AVillan, Misse« Suckling (2). X. Jones, and Yarr, nnd Messrs C- M. Suckling. Kingston. and AVillan, and Master Douglas Suckling. Mrs Suckling, Misses Henry and Sucklinir played the accompaniments. Then fmshmcnts were supplied hv the ladies,of the district. Messrs S*. Simpson, and T. J. .Henley were specially thanked for conveying the con. cert, party to and from Tni Tapu. A number of farewells to soldiers on final leave took place in the Ellcsmcro district dnring the holiday*. On-Thurs-day evening Private F. MeCabc . was farewellc;) by a large gathering at Irwell. A musical programme was submitted. comprising songs by Airs -"Whisker. Mis« L. Chamberlain, and Messrs T. Delaney. AV. A. Maxwell, and T. AVason, and Air A. P. Cha-niberlain gave several humorous recitations. On behalf of the residents of Irwcll Mr John Hcslop presented the guest with a gold medal suitably inscribed. The ladies provided supper, and a dance followed. Oil Saturday night. Privates "Dan Bohnn and I'. McCnbe were, entertained ,-it a social in the Poyleston Hall, and were each presented "with a pipe in ease by Air AV. 0. Rennie, on behalf of the people of Doylcston. On Monday evening Lance-Corpora I A. Andersen and Privates Dan Bohan, E. AY. Donald, K. H. Perkin, and AV. X. Parkin were I'arewelled at. the Lccston Town Hall at a gathering arranged by tho Patriotic Committee. The. even, ing was spent, in dancing, Airs J. F. Donald supplying the music. Dr. Yolckman, chairman of the Patriotic Committee, handed to each soldier a. gold medal bearing a suitable inscription. On behalf of the Oddfellows' Lodge, P.G. Rro. G. H. Jones presentee} Private Walter Parkin with a safety razor, remarking that the recipient had made his mark in Oddfellowship, and had gained the confidence aud esteem of the brethren. Mr J. C- Free banded to Private F, IT. Perkin, who was in his employ up to the time of enlisting, a leather money belt. He said that he. had never employed a better man, and that if all were like Privato Perkin there would never be any troubles between master and employee. The gifls were suitably acknowledged. At Lakside on Monday evening Privates F. Graham and S. A'ince were each pj/esentcd with a set of military brushes, at a social, held in their honour. The presentations were made by Air 11. Schnelle, chairman of the School Committee.

Mr T. Withers, youngest son of I>r. Withers, and brother of Captain K.. L. Withers. X.Z.M.C.,' now in Egypt, -was ontortained l>y old pupils of the Southbridge I>istric;t High School at a social evening on Monday, in the Town Hall, on the eve of his departure .for camp. A very pleasant time was spoilt by a large number of people. On Thursday Privates John Hannah and K. G. Marryatt are to bo farewelled at a social in the Southbr.idgo Town Hall. At a farewell meeting of the lauTes of the Loeston Methodist Circuit on Monday evening to Sirs €»rigg, wife of Chaplain-Captain Grigg, advantagetaken of the opportunity to bid goodbye to Private W. 2\". Parkin, one of the church trustees, who was presented with a wristlet watch from the congregation of Leeston Church, and a goldmounted fountain pen from the Leeston Wesley Guild. The gifts were suitably acknowledged, and the ladies provided supper. On Wednesday evening Rifleman Thomas Hampton, who is home on final leave, was tendered a social in the Pendarves Hall. Mr George Watson presided, and a short concert programme was given. On behalf of the residents Mr C'uthbcrt presented the guest with « small parting gift. After supper had been served a danco was held. The residents of- Wa.kanui gave a send-off social on Thursday evening last to Privates S. Corbett, J. Lundy, anil 15. Meacleni. who are home on -final leave. During the evening Mr J. Cairns presented the men each with n shaving outfit and dress and moneybelt. Mr Wilson, on behalf of the Good Templars' Lodjre, presented Privates Corbett and Meacleni with n fountain pen, whilst Private Lundy was the recipient of a substantial present from his late employer, Mr A. Orr. A short programme was submitted, and supper was handed round by the ladies. ?.Lr Frampton presided.