CAPTAIN HARDHAM V.C.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2711, 4 March 1916, Page 3

CAPTAIN HARDHAM V.C.

RECEPTION AT PETONE.

The Potone Drill Hall proved far too small to accommodate the enormous gathering that assembled last evening to welcome back Captain W, Hardham, V.C., and other roturned Petone soldiers. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) presided, and in welcoming the men on behalf of the.town stated that he had conversed with many of them about tneir doings at the front, and had been struck with their modesty. Altogether 300 men had either gone, from the district or were no win camp. He believed move would follow, and as a- result of th?s meeting he sincerely hoped many would,. The people of Petone would never, forget what' their boys had done at the seat of war, and would ever remember thoso who had bravely laid down their lives for the Empire. M. Wilford said it was not" difficult to say something regarding Canfa"* Hardham, V.C., and the" war. Billy Hardham, whom he had known ior many years, had gained the most coveted medal the British soldier knew oi ihe V.C'.—in South Africa, under Pringle, who was a Hutt boy. Jio would appeal to them to ask selves, in view of "Billy's" decision to SO to the front again, "If 'Billy' is going «i tlird timo to fight for me, am I doin°v my share?" °

■, Captain Hardham, who was obliged to wait ii considerable time ere the applause with which lie "was greotod ceased, said that lie appreciated the excellent welcome accorded to his comrades and himself. The job was only started.'They had done their best, but moro men were wanted. He was oft again after 28 &jy s ' loa v e,_ to' Where lie did not know. At Galhpoli conditions were against them, and never once did they meet'the foe 011 equal terms. "The Navy, however, did great work. Every New Zealander who went to Gallipoli should be proud that lie ever was there,." Captain Hardham added that the fight must 8° on the. finish, not tiita wo wanted to nglit, but because it was every man's duty in tho circumstances to do so. .■The cost should not bo counted," said tie speaker, "even if we have, to sell all wo possess. ' Captain Hardham stated that wherever their troops had been they had always received the best of tratment, especially by the nurses and doctors. 1110 speaker also added that the men ■ were very grateful to tho people of flew Zealand for tho establishment of Sick and Wounded Soldiers' f unas, for Queen Carnivals, and other functions organised with a view of raising money for this cause.