SYDNEY STREET SOLDIERS' CLUB

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3149, 30 July 1917, Page 3

SYDNEY STREET SOLDIERS' CLUB

FRENCH SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED. The evening which was given by the committee of the Soldiers' Club, in Sydney Street on Saturday for the visiting French*soldiers was of a particularly enthusiastic and interesting character, and one which must have assured the visitors of the very high admiration .which is felt for soldiers who have fought so heroically as have those of our gallant and glorious Ally, France, of iT.hom they were representatives. The 6oldiers arrived in charge of Lieutenant Gentry, and after the Marseillaise was Bung speeches of welcome were made. Mis. Salmond,.as secretary of the club, warmly greeted them in French, and in the same language went on to tell {hem something of the club's history and of the way in which it had been organised by a number of Wellington women. Among other things she touched upon the war, and spoke of the great admiration which was felt for the heroic soldiers of France by their English Allies, and concluded after by telling them of the kind of entertainment "that lay before "them that evening. Mrs. Massey, _as president of the club, spoke of the-pleasure which all I felt at welcoming the French soldiers among them that' evening. She told them of the uses of. the club, and that it'.had been organised by some Wellington w.omen for the benefit of the N.ew Zealand soldiers. She was particularly, glad to welcome ( there the brave defenders of Verdun, who, like our own soldiers, were fighting for honour and righteousness and to teach the .common enemy that the world was not going, to be trampled under its heel. . She referred to the fact that like our own they were colonial soldiers and were fighting for the defence of the Motherland. She asked them to carry to our own beloved men when they met them in France the message that our hearts and our thoughts v;ere constantly with them.* As French soldiers they would always uphold their solendid reputation for courage and endurance. Mrs. Massey concluded by very cordiallv throwing open to the Frenchmen the hospitality of the club while they were staying in this city. i • '

Madame Decleeno interpreted to tlia French soldiers Mrs. Massey's remarks, and ar> sooner was the speech finished than everybody in the room sprang to their feet, waved their handkerchiefs, and sang with enthusiasm "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." The visitors, by now quite at home with their entertainers, started their characteristic clapping, which is extraordinarily effective, and a thoroughly inspiriting evening followed. Songs and choruses were sandwiched in between the dancing, which was really the principal entertainment of the evening, Miss Dall singing and the French soldiers contributing songs and choruses with much spirit. Madame.Foley played the nvusic for dancing, and the Misse3 Ruth and M. Putnam the accompaniments. By general request tho evening was extended until hidi'-past eleven, and then tho stirring sight was seen of everyone'in the room—French soldiers, all the ladies, and our own colonial soldiersjoining liands and singing ".iuld Lang Syne," followed by tho "Marseillaise" and our own National Anthem. It was indeed the "entente oordiale," and was not the least of some of the stirring occasions that have taken place at the club. The heartiest of cheers for the guests of the evening were given by our own soldiers before they left for their quarters. '

In charge of, the tea-room was Mrs. Blundell, and the usual arrangements were made in regard to refreshments in the gymnasium for the dancers. Among those who were present were, in addition to Mrs. Massey and Mrs. Salmond, Mrs. Coleridge, Mrs. Henry Hall, Mrs. C. Earle, Miss Coates, Miss Massey, Mrs. Fox, Sirs., Shirtcliffe, Mrs. E. Hadfielil, Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Matthew Holmes, Mademoiselle du Boss'on, Mrs. J. Darling, Mademoiselle Decleene, Mrs. Stott, Ser-geant-Major Coleridge, Messrs. J. Hntcheson, Harper, Fox, and teveral other returned soldiers. The main hall of the clnb had been most effectively draped with flags, the walls being practically lined with thoin, and the stage had been decorated with palms and banked with camellias. Altogether it looked most attractive, and a fitting "mise en scene" for the "fair women and brave men" gathered there on Saturday evening.