DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15873, 12 April 1917, Page 9

DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

* VARIOUS PRESENTATIONS Private Gcorgo Wright, who is down from Trentham on final leave, was entertained on Saturday evening by a large number of his Bay friends (writes our Akaroa correspondent). Tho gathering took place at his father's homestead, Tikao. A party of Akaroa people had crossed tho harbour to tako part in tho proceedings, and it was the Mayor of that town, Mr Geo. Armstrong, who made the customary presentation to tho departing soldier. As usual, the Mayor waxed eloquent upon tho splendid manner in which. the Peninsula boys had answered duty's call, and upon tho need for still further effort and sacrifice. As evidence of the «rit and perseverance of Private VVright, it was worth noting that ho had tried no less than sis times before tho doctors at Inst let him through their hands. Private Wright leaves with tho 25th lleinforc e mcnts. On Tuesday evening a farewell social was tendered at Culvcrden to Private F. C. Smith, who is on final leave prior to proceeding to the front. Mr H. R. Davison presided over a large gathering of residents of the district, and presented Private Smith with an autostrop razor and a. set of military hairbrushes. Several musical items were contributed, and the proceedings were terminated by singing 'Aula Lang Syne."

Last week Private S. T. Made'ley, who is leaving for the front, was entertained bv members of the railway staff and other friends at Culverden. iie was presented with an auto-strop razor and a money belt. Prior to joining the Expeditionary Force Pnvate Madeley was on the staff of the Railway Dbpartment at Culverden. A social was held in the Hororata Hall on Monday evening to bid farewell, to Privates W. Locker and J. Gibbs, who 'were down on final leave from Trentham. Puring the evening Mr T. Pearson presented Private Locker with a wallet, and Private Gibbs with a wristlet watch. Private Locker is the third member of Jus family who has joined the Forces, two of his brothers being now in France. "A quiet farewell was/ar ranged for Privato J. E. Gibbs and Mr J. Welsh at tho railway station, I>arfield. on Wednesday morning, and a suitably inscribed present will be forwarded to each man. ■ ' A fathering, under the auspices of tho Sakaia Soldiers' pitertainmcnt Committee, was held in the Oddfellows Hall on Easter Monday night, for the purposo of saying farewell to Privates A Shannon, W. Dunn. E. Timings, G. Breading, D. Stevens and — Stevens, who wore liomo on final leave. "r® chair was occupied by the Hon. C. A. C. Hardy, M.L.C., and there was a good attendance. Each soldier was presented by tho chairman, on behalt of the llabaia residents, with a serviceable hold-all. A motion was moved expressing the deepest sympathy for the , relatives of" tho late Privato W. AVeaver, killed in action. The motion was carried, the audience standing in silonce: The ovening's programme was • contributed to by Mesdames Brittenden arid Ross, Miss Hardy, and Messrs Ross, 1 McLennan, Evi6on, and P. Cronin.

Tho usual concert to farewell thej re•ruits leaving for Trentham was held in iho. Drill Hall, Ternuka, on Tuesday evening.. Mr T. Guinness* president of tho Entertainment Committee, presided, and tho concert programme was arranged by Timaru friends, assisted by local talent. Mrs T. Tilbrook was the speaker of the evening. Tho following . Contributed to tho programme Misses Raino, Holdgate, and Radcliff, Messrs Budd, Frederick, Davis, Oanicron, Rev. F. Oopcland, and Sappcr Foster. Mies Toomey acted as accompanist. A farewell social was tendered on Tuesday night by the members of tho Christchurch Highland Pipo Band to Piper James Young who is leaving with tho 25th Reinforcements. There was a largo gathering of members and Chief "Williamson and Councillors Smith and Macgilivray of tho Scottish Society were also present. Tho chairman (Mr A. Swanston)-on behalf of the band, presented Piper Young with a silver wristlet watch, and stated that the recipient had acted as secretaryof tho band sinco its inception. He wished him every success and a safo return. As Piper Young was recently married, he was also presented with a handsome vase for Mrs Young. During tho evening Pipers Smith and Nelson played two duets on the war-pipes, Mr J. Frascr danced a Seann Triubhias, and songs were contributed by Messrs Price, Donaldson, McLean, and McKinch. Private Richard Jlound. of tho 26th Reinforcements, -vvho is now on final leave, was entertained on Tuesday by residents of St. Albans in tho Hall at McFadden's road. A largo number were present. A programmo of songs, recitations, etc., was given, and dancing avqs indulged in till a:, late hour. During the 'evening' Private' Round wasprei>ent^3'with a -wristlet watch by residents of the locality. ' On Saturday tho employees of Mr W. A. Poison met to say farewell "to Sergeant C. Poison, who is down on final leave. Sergeant Poison -was presented with an auto strop safety razor and a small souvenir for his wife, by •Mr W. Symons, on behalf of the staff.