WELCOMING RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 26, 25 October 1919, Page 4

WELCOMING RETURNED SOLDIERS

KIEKCALDIE AND STAINS, The staff of KirkcaWip and Stains held a social gathering and dance last evening as a welcome home to those of their members who had been attached to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. In all, twenty-eight had enlisted, some having seen much servico from Gallipoli onwards, and it was felt that it whs but fitting that they should receive a warm welcome back to New Zealand. The entertainment began with a supper, which was held in the tearoom, and streamers of different colours, with the flower-decked tables, rn'ade tho room look very gay and cheerful. There was a very large gathering of tho staff and their friends, and among those who were present wore Mr. John Kirkcaldio and Mr. Keith Kirkcaldie. The returned soldiers, who were warmly applauded upon entering tho room, included Messrs, H. P. Appleyard, G. Bowater, G. Banner, T. Brown, E. Cave, P. Cochrane, P. C. Dixon, L. Evans, J. V. Eliasson, 'W. Sorrier, R. Fullerton, G. :Hopkins, G. Henley, A. .T. Heyhoe, N, W. Hopper, A. D. Johnstone, A. Jones, G. I,aw, F. Nockle, P. C. Phillips, L. Page, S. Smith, ft. Tagg, R. Wheeler, C. B. Woodward. Two other members of the staff who left for tho war, Messrs. A. Bourgeois and H. Lane, had mado tho great sacrifice. Another name belonging to the firm's roll of hdnour is that of Miss Clara Rogers, of Jhe Voluntary Nursing Sisterhood, who retimed to New Zealand a short timo ago, after much valuable work achieved for the soldiers abroad. , , „ Mr. R. M. Roborts occupied the chair, and as soon as the company had gathered together, they were asked to stand in silonce for a few moments as a tribute to those who would never return. Tho toast •of "Tho King was proposed by the chairman, and after it had been honoured. Wr. Keith Kirkcaldio in the place of Mr, Sydney Kirkcaldie, who was unable to bo nresent owing to indisposition, proposed tho . toast of "Our Returned Soldiers." In doing so Mr. Kirkcaldie, on behalf of the staff, said how greatly they all appreciated the sacrifices that lino loeeh made by those members who had gone to tho war. Two of their number would never - como back, and those two names would always be remembered. The firm had been represented in tho Main Body of tho Now Zealand Expeditionary Force, and_ down to the last reinforcement, and it had had members of its staff taking part in tho great struggle from Gallipoli to. the march on the Rhine. Some had taken part in practically every big engagement in the war, and not only had they taken port in this war but somo had fought in the South African AVar as well. They could not do enough to show their great appreciation of tho sacrifice of peace, comfort, and safety mado by their returned fellow-members of the staff.

Sergeant Banner, on behalf of his tel-low-soldiers, thanked Mr. Kirkcaldio and bis fellow-employees for their kind appreciation of tho part they had taken in tho war. They were very glad to be back in, $ew Zealand, but they would always look bnclc on tho years tlicv had just come through with great pride. The toast of the founder of the firm was proposed by Mr. Roberts. One of their founders had passed away, but they still had with them Mr. John Kirkcaldie. Ho it was who had been the chief architect of the firm, and had built up the great business of to-day, though not on the lines which were, being talked about so much to-day—those of proteering. Reminiscences of tho early _ d-\ys of the firm were given bv Mr. Kirkcaldie in reply, and several anecdotes were told. T(; was 5G years ago that the firm had started ia AVnllington, anil then it had' consisted of tho two nai'lners and a bov. Their first davM business had resulted in the sum of .C 39 being taken. The various milestones that marked the progress of the firm were related bv Mr. Kiilicaldie. and interesting sidelights given of AA'olliugton in its early days. Other toasts were those of '"''he Finn'," proposed by Mr. A. Hotrtr. and responded lo bv Messrs. F. G. Page and C. F. Smith, and "The, Ladies," proposed by Mr. C. F. Smith," and replied to by Miss AVittich.

Interspersed bet-ween the (oasts were songs by Mr. Moore, Miss Fairclough. Miss Grant, Miss Morris, Miss Lucas, Mr. Proctor, Miss Casey, a humorous recitation bv Miss Mueller, and a step dance by Miss Snnvig. Miss Fraser wns the acoinpanisto for the. evening.

Following Hie supper came a dance, the furniture room upstairs having been turned into a bnllroom. Decorated with a network of coloured streamers above and at the sides, it looked very charming, and plenty of comfortable chairs and seating accommodation ahd been provided. Mr. A. Bloxham as secretary had ranch to do with- the carrying out of the arrangements for the evening.

Memorial Servicc for Nurses. Sunday, Octobcr 2G, being the anniversary of the sinking of tho Marquette, this dav has been chosen by the ' Trained Nurses' Association to hold a service in memorv of all those Now Zealand nurses who lost their lives through the war, and during the epidemic. This service will take place at 3 p.m. in St. Peter's Church. Willis Street, and it is hoped that a large number of tho public will be present to honour the memory of these bravo women. A meeting of the committeo of the Society for'the Protection of AVornen and Children was held at the society's rooms yesterday afternoon. Lady Stout presided, and there wero preseut: Mesikmes A. 1!. Atkinson, M. E. Ewen, ,T. Kirkcaldie," J. It. Glasson, Glover, H. A. Kirkcaldio, and Dr. Ada Paterson. The annual report and balance-sheet wero read, and adopted by the meeting. The com mittce room in the Town Hall has beon granted for the annual meeting to bo held: next week. . Subscriptions were acknowledged from the following:—Mrs. 11. A. Kirkcaldie, ,tl Is.; Mrs. G. AVindor, ,<il: Mrs. Clork, 10s.; "New Zealand Truth," 10s. 6d.; TV. H. Bonnett, 55.; Rev. H. AVats'ou, 55.; Miss Parlane, 55.; Mrs. J. It. Glasson, 55.; Mrs. Glover, ss.