DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15874, 13 April 1917, Page 5

DEPARTING SOLDIERS.

VARIOUS PRESENTATIONS

■ A farewell social to Private TV. J. Locker, who is down from camp oti iwial leavcj was held in tho Grcendaie Orunje Hall on Tuesday evening., The programme consisted of pianoforte soles t-v the Misses Shipley and M. Mills; songs by tho Misses B. and M. lludd, and Mr Manson, and a reading by Mr C. C. Sandford. The Rev. E. E. Smith, on behalf of the district, gave an address, conveying to Private Locker u'io good wishes of the residents. f JLe chairman, the Rev. J. Harris, presented the guest with a case of pipes. Private Locker suitably responded.

A social was held in the Mead School on Tuesday night for the purpose ol saying farewell to Lance-Corpo-al Claydon and. Privates El Timmings and- (■<. Breading, of the 25th Reinforcements, who were down on final leave. On !)>•- half of the Patriotic Committss, Mr "VV. Fairweather presented eacn sdditr with a shaving outfit and a pi;jc, and wished them all good fortune in their soldiering career. Private Timmings replied for himself and comrades, »r.d the men were heartily oheer.->:l. A vote of sympathy fo r Mr A. Weaver in tho loss of his son, Willie, killed in action •in Franco, Was carried in silence, the audicneo standing. The programme .was contributed to by Messrs McCoy and Watts, and Private Timmings. A dance followed.

• , Oil Saturday evening the employees of Mr W. A. to bid farewell

"to-Sergearbt Q. Poison, who on' final leave.- In an appropriate speech Mr W. A. Poison presented the guest with an auto-strop safety razor. In asking Sergeant Poison to accept a small souvenir for Mrs Poison, Mr W. Symons, on behalf of .the staff, 'wished him God-speed and a safe return. The recipient suitably responded.

At tho Public Hall, Duvauchelle, on Ejaster Monday night, a send-off was given to Troopers Mould, Cossar, and Pettigrew, down on final leave from Trentham. There was a crowded attendance,. a large number of visitors being present from Akaroa. Mr T. W. Wilkins, who acted as chairman, extended to the departing men hearty good wishes from the residents of the Bay for their safe return from the front. He then presented each trooper with a- parting gift of esteem and goodwill from their many friends. The rest of the evening was filled up in entertaining fashion, with sonpSj Recitations, supper, and dancing. Troopers Mould, Cossar, and Pettigrew leave with the 25th Reinforcements.

A send-off social was tendered to Riflemen G. Brown, ,R. Clarke, E. Cater, A. AVate, and A. V. Harris, and Trooper A. Clarke in the Belfast Town Hall on Wednesday evening. The event was well attended. Mr Nicholls, president of the send-off and reception, occupied the chair, and presented Riflemen Brown, R. Clarke, Private Hain, and Trooper A. Clarke each with a sleeping-bag, and Rifleman Cater with a' safety razor from the residents of Belfast. Mr J. Johns spoke in terms of appreciation of the work done by Rifleman R. Cl ar ko for the Belfast Red Cross branch in bandage-rolling. Miss Wottou supplied the ir.'iisic for the dancing, extras being played by Miss Merlin and Mr W. Robinson

.During tho last few months in. connexion with the Se-lwyn street south Methodist Church, several presentations have been made to departing soldiers. Corporal J. L. Down, -who left with the Reinforcements, received a leather waistcoat and soldier's writing outfit; Private E. H. Down, who was a great worker in the church, left with the hospital ship Malicno. Before leaving ho was presented with a pocket camera. Quartermaster-Ser-geant W. H. Down, who was married before leaving Christchurch, received an oak salad howl suitably inscribed. He left with the 23rd licinforcements. On Sunday last Corporal IL J. Brown was the recipient of a. set of ipf'tary brushes. He leaves New Zealand with th<> 25th Reinforcements.

A send-off was held at the Drill Hall, Kaiapoi, last night, in honour of Lieut. 1/lackwrll and Private A. F. McPherson, X.Z.M.C. Mr E. E. Papprill presided. Dr. .T. W. Crawshaw gavcan interesting talk on his recent trip to England, and the conditions at Home, paying a special tribute to the Navy. An enjoyable musical programme was given by Misses Reese, E. Thorn, D. Oray, 1. Hoskin, E. Dunn, and Messrs Harfc. J. M. Gray, J. H. Blackwell, A. A. King, and W. E. Knight; a recitation by Miss X. Ricc, and dance by Mr J. M. Gray. Supper was provided by the ladies, and a dance followed. At Rangiora last night the Entertainment Committee tendered a social to Privates L. Sharp. T. O'Carroll, W. >Horton, p. Moore, and J. Cory, who are on their final leave. Each man was presented with a soldier's outfit and Privates Horton and Moore with wristlet watches from the band. An enjoyable musical programme was given by friends, and dancing was also indnlgetl in. Mr W. J. Rouse was chairman, and the Hon. IX Bnddo, M.P., made tho presentations. Privates L. Dench and G. Ncuble, who are on their final leave, "Were given a send-off at Southbrook last night, and during the evening were presented with soldiers' • outfits and a compass each from the local branch of the Red Cross. Mr D'Auvergne occupied the chair, and an enjoyable euchre party was held*