"HAPPY EVENINGS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1936, 19 December 1913, Page 8

"HAPPY EVENINGS.

IN 7 BUCKLE STREET DRILL-HALL. A pleasing feature of matters connectccl with the strike lias been the manner in which the mounted "specials" have been entertained at the bis Drill Hall in Buckle Street during the past two months. When it was found to he absolutely necessary to bring in the special men Irani the country, far-seeing members of the Citizens' Defenco Committee at once recognised that many of the men coming to town lvfluld be without friends in Wellington, and it was decided to organise a series of concerts. Arrangements were placed in the hands of a small subcommittee, with Mr. P. Townsend as chairman.

Splendid work has been done; by that committee, their eiforts only ceasing on Wednesday evening with a linn concert arranged by Miss Hugo. Mr, Townsend has been a liosi in himself. His work was made pleasant by the fact that everyone was so willing to help to entertain the men who had como to town to keep the wheels of industry going. Tiie committee did their work under tlio leadership of Colonel Stewart Newnil, C.8., and Captain Russell, and there was ample justification for the jolly entertainments offered, considering tlie work and anxieties of the troublous days of the first week or two of the strike. In all about 24 entertainments were given, and theso were contributed lo by 50 ladies, 170. men, and seven juveniles. Those who were in camp will no doubt long remember the hapn.v nights spent in the big hall, at Buckle Street, and it will ■ doubtless also be a long time, before the local people who assisted in the concerts will forget such pleasurable experiences.-