A LEVIN HERO

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 275, 9 August 1918, Page 6

A LEVIN HERO

THE, LATE SERGEANT-MAJOR SCIASCIA HONOUKED.

(From a Correspondent.) Ono of the most notable gatherings held in Levin for some time took place last Monday evening at the Century Hall, tho occasion being, the carrying of the patriotic war resolution, together with the presentation by the Hon. W. H. Herrics of a Alilitary Medal won by the late Sergeant-Majoi; Scia6cia. The hall was crowded, ■ many people having to stand throughout. Representatives of the Borough Council and County Council, al6o relatives of the late Sergeant-Major Sciascia, occupied seats-on the stage, together with other representatives of tho Native race, among them being the Hon, Heu Heu Tukino, and Mr. H. Parata, M.P.

_ The proceedings opened with the singing oi the National Anthem.

H?8 Worship the Mayor .then spoke of the twofold purpose for which they had met, first, the passing of tho resolution on the war, and second, the presentation to Mrs. Sciascia of the Military Medal won by her son. ( He then moved tho resolution and spoke at some length to it.

Mr. W. H. Field, who seconded the resolution, said how proud all were of tho part New Zealand had taken in the struggle. What we at home had suffered was as nothing compared with the sufferings of our boys in tho trenches. He certainly considered, along with the Jlayor, that the end of the war was in sight, and lie hoped before long that they would have their boys home again. The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried with great enthusiasm.

The Mayor spoke of the splendid record of the lato Sergeant-Major Sciascia, who went with the Main Body, and out of over , two years' service was only two days off duty. He then asked khe audience to stand as a mark of sympathy with Mrs.' Sciascia, which was done. The Hoyal Proclamation instituting the Military Medal to be "awarded to officers and mon for individual or associated acts of bravery" was Tead by Captain IHirby, of tho Defence staff.

Loud and prolonged applause greeted Mi's. Sciascia as she came forward, led by tho Hon. W. H. Hemes, who. feelingly expressed the Dominion's sympathy with tho mother in the loss of hor eon, and congratulated her on his heroic bravery, and at tho same time presented tho coveted distinction. Mr. Hcrries spoke of the pleasure it gave him to be present on such an occasion. They could not help but be proud of one of the noblest raoes and tho way they' had risen to the occasion in the great struggle. It was a great thing to •romember that, with the exception of ons tribe, tie response of the Maoris had been entirely voluntary. The subject of tho resolution then occupied tho speaker's attention, and he made a particular point of ono word contained in it—"inflexible." Ho hoped tho opinions expressed by previous speakers would come true, but if next year they wore still fighting it must be with "inflexible? determination. The Hon. Heu Heu Tukino, M.L.C., who spoke in the Native tongue,,interestingly traced the descent of the young man who 'had' "gone West/' and whom they, were '.'honouring, from the great' Chief Raukawa. He himself was also a descendant frqm the same chief, and was therefore related to the youne man. Mr. H. Parata, M.P., Mr. Field, M.P., and Mr. Tuiti Macdonald were the concluding speakers, and each spoke interestingly of the bravery of the young Maori soldier. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the proceedings.