CITY'S WELCOME TO ADA REEVE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 5, 1 October 1917, Page 6

CITY'S WELCOME TO ADA REEVE

ENTHUSIASTIC, CROWDS FAMOUS ARTIST'S WORK FOR THE SOLDIERS' A HELPING HAND AT PADDY'S MARKET Wellington emerged from its habitual reserve on Saturday to accord Miss Ada Reeve, probably the most remarkable welcome ever proffered to a visiting artist and woman. Probably not since those misty days when tho people of a much smaller Wellington took the horses out of her carriage to drag Alice Hay "along the beach" (as Lambton Quay was then railed), such a whole-hearted reception been given an actress, but in vlie ease mentioned it was merely an otmliflon of feeling roused by an angel ip voice in-song; in the case of Ada Reeve it was an acknowledgment of the splendid efforts made by a woman of high talent to cheer up tho boys who hove (lone and dared—in camp, hospital, and trenches. Men are here who could testify, and they testified with one voice 011 Saturday. Miss Reeve was late in arriving by motor from Masterton. She was due to arrive at midday, and a vast crowd of people assembled near the Lambton Station to greet her. The crack Trumpet Band from Featherston and the TrenBand were also in attendance, to add the strains of military music to tho welcome. But there were delays on Iho road, and the dusty car did not airive until 1.20 p.m.; still, the bands and the crowd were too' keen to desert their posts, and the cry of "Here she comes!" was the signal for quite a remarkable scene of' enthusiasm, through which tho band played "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow!" After Miss Eeeve had shaken hands .with the reception committee and mnny returned soldiers, the procession formed up, and moved off up the Quay to the music of a score of trumpeters. Further along the Trentham Band btruck up "Tennessee" (one of Miss Reeve's favourite numbers), and to this merry lilt the visitor was played to the Returned Soldiers' Club. In a little speech at the club', Miss Reeve thanked the boys for the great welcome accorded her, and promising to renew Ins acquaintance later in the afternoon, was taken in state.to "Paddy's Market" at the Town Hall,. where she was met at "the entrance by the Mayoress (Mrs. *uke), "who presented her with a bouquet, Tirefatory to receiving (l civic welcome within at the i hands of the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke). A Civic Welcome. The Mayor said it was his pleasure to Introduce their distinguished visitor, Miss' Ada Reeve, known to many people 7n Wellington, and to the friends of those who had met. her' abroad. .'.t was aTways a"' great pleasure to welcome the great people of England arid her Allies. To-day they were welcoming one of their own. (Applause.) Miss Reeve was not only a great worker in patriotic concerns, but that fame distinction and_ mnanatism that she exuded in her artistic life was found in the energy and fervour whish she displayed in her work among the soldiers. Probably there was flo woman in the Empire who had done more for the soldiers than Miss Reeve, .'.rid such was her heartfelt interest arid sympathy that there was probably no one more honoured woman to-dny than she by the returned soldiers of Australia knd Zealand. He desired to make her as welcome and at home as though she stood on good old .BritifiV 501!. .(Apphiuse.) On the call of the Mayor, three cheers were given for Miss Reeve. -. Miss Reeve said she was always happy when among her dear returned soldiers. She was greatly honoured by .the splendid reception which had been accorded her but was still more honoured to stand noon the same platform with those who had poured out their blood for tlym all She was quite overwhelmed with the Very delightful and wonderful reception which had been accorded her. It 'was something she would never forget. Ifshe were Queen of England it not. have been hotter, for; she hnd soldiers to the right and left, of her, and soldiers in front and behind her y (Applause.) She proposed that evening to do her best-to make good people sive up their coin. She -would write all sorts or things on her . photos, according'to the money they would give for. Item-; (11111 "liter and applause)--to gain funds for the worthy object 111 view. J hey would meet again, perhaps with the footlights between, but she was sure there would always be. a bond of sympathy between thein. .Again she thanked them from .-the bottom of her heart. (Applause and cheers.) ,

At the Soldiers' Club. The social hall at the Returned, Soldiers' Clnb was packed at when a reception was accorded Hiss Among those present were Sir nnd Ladv Ward, Sir James Allen, Dr. Thacker, M.P., officers and soldiers, and a great gathering of returned men and their lady friends. In welcoming Miss Reeve, Mr. .T. Harper apologised for the absence of the president. Mr. A. S. Biss, who was out of town. They were there to welcome Miss Reeve for tile distinguished work she had done in the noble ■ cause of patriotism. Miss Reeve was known throughout the Empire, in particular for her w;ork connection with tlie Anzac Buffet in London for which she had succeeded m raiSr in"' .£12,000 in Australia. (Applause.), There were-men present who knew of her kindly work in the hospitals and convalescent homes wherever she was. On one occasion sho traveled a considerable, distance of sandy' desert m Egypt to cheer up'the bovs in the trenches. On bf''!ilf nf-the club, ami vet.nrnej soldiers and sailors lie extended Miss Reeve the heartiest of welcomes.' (Applause.) With Open Arms. Dr. riatts-Mills also added her tribute of welcome. \fter a rousing welcome, Miss said that she had begun her work among "the bays" in a small way in London, but somehow it began to grow, and as it giew iter strength grew with it; until now she never seemed to tire; she seemed to have superhuman strength when "the boys were concerned. "When she and her company got to Egypt she found there was lots of work (o be done. She went through many hospitals—there were boys who had heard of Ada Reeve, and who wanted to see lier-and they did. She. did not. miss one hospital. (Applause.) Manv of the soldiers would know Cairo —(chorus of "Yes!" and laughter), some, of them too well, perhans. The speaker recalled the names of hospitals homes, and places sho visited, and said that she hoped to visit that country again. Her company,/was the first theatrical company allowpd to visit Egypt since, thyheginning of the cruel war and wlut a 'fuss was made of thprfi. Then fho\ were given permission to go.down to M Romani and m've a concert in thetreiiehes . on the eve of the great push to 1m Arish. Speakini? of the Aiv/.nc. Buffet. Miss Reeve saiil she intended io ao on until she had nut the buffet on as sound a comniercial basis as . any in the world. She felt that she had saved it from extinction. and it was to. exist as long as any Australasian soldier it, _ As for the rest-the gifts that God had given l, er _s] ic deemed it a duty to visit and cheer up the hoys who wore suflnring from sickness or wounds. (Applause.) Ministerial Tributes. ' Sir Joseph Ward said they all knew Miss Reeve and what she had done for the sick and wounded soldiers. She was not only known throughout the Empire, but in the heart of Germany, for inspiring the men to do their duty until tho' conclusion of the war. . ' word; said Sir Joseph Ward, "if I only had Miss Reeve as my associate m rarliament how- we would (roars of laughter an'l applause)—" Miss Reeve: "The fif.it lady member! "The first lady member," said Sir Joseph Ward, gallantly, "who would bo first all the time." Sir James Allen said they were all glad to seo Miss Reeve. They knew her work, honoured, and loved her for it, Thev had a great deal to be thankful for 'to tho women of this country whose influence for good with them to-day,

ancl would bo for long after tlio war was over. May" the boys long continue to benefit by Miss Reevo's kindness and sympathy I (Applause.) During the recoption Miss Beevo announced that she had just received a telegram from the Franklin Junction Women's Patriotic _ League, sending cC'5 for the Anzac Buffet. v Any subscriptions for the Anzac Buffet will be received at The Dominion office, acknowledged, and handed on to Miss Ada lEeevo. Doings at "Paddy's Market." In the evening th&. enthusiasm was renewed, when Miss Ada Reeve, in her car, leaded by the Featherston Camp Trumpeters' Band, attended by a retinue of returned soldiers and a fair contingent from the camps, a procession which swelled in numbers as it moved along proceeded to the Town Hall. From the sidewalks and hotel windows flowers wero showered on the visitor, who smiled through it all. At the Town Hall she was once more received at the entrance l>v the Mayor and Mrs. Luke, and escorted to the platform. After the reception Miss Reeve became the busiest and most magnetic of patriotic workers. She sold flowors, her own photos (one of which brought jes 55.). and with the aid of Mr. Kennedy Allen (the company's comedian) sold a cake for a large sum. the buyers being the ever-generous Commercial Travellers. Then someone arkod Miss ••Tfeeve to favour them with a verse rf "Tennessee." Without any accompaniment the fair singer raised her sweet and, most appealing voice in a lilt that captivated everyone where they stood. Then Mr. Allen sang a parody cn tho sang, and Miss Reeve seizing the opportunity at once got busy among tho crowd, and collected a hatful of money, seme .£6O. After a strenuous yet delightful day Miss ■Roevp left tho market for the Midland Hotel at 10 p.m., thoroughly tired out.'