"THE OLD DIGGER"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 142, 11 March 1920, Page 6

"THE OLD DIGGER"

WELCOME TO PADRE WINTON.

Last nieht a'law number of people tattered in the Wesley Church, rara, naki Street, when Padre Winton was tendered ft "welcome home. Chanlain Winton left New Zealand by the Waihora. carrying tho Minoteenth remounts to E K ypt, m Decorate,- -19tG, and nftor serving as padro at tho Moasca depot for two months, he went to Encland. whero he took up an appointment at Codfojd. Here he was to oomilnr arnomr the soldiers that he beZo known as "Tho Old Dißgor. Until June. 1919. ho worked t ere, ami nt. No. 3 General Hospital." Tho Now Zealand soldiers, m appreciation of is work, presented him with an illuminated address, and the Austral.au soldiers encamped near-by paid him the same hish compliment. When ho hnished his work at Codford, Chaplain Winton was attached as visiting: pad « to the New Zealand H«i*JiiarlOM » rx>ndon. Ho returned to Mow Zealand In- the Atlienic. , . Commissioner Hodder presided at last night's welcome, and there were with him on the platform the R.iest of honour Mrs Hodder. Colonel M'lnucs (tho chief renretarv). and Ensicn Sawyer. , The Commissioner welcomed Chaplain Winton and referred -briefly to the hno work which ho had performed while afav on service. He spoke of tho liuin(W of chaplains of the Salvation Army who had sone awav with the boys, anil detailed the work which they had each carried out. Mrs. ITodder find Ensign Sawyer, ( who had earned the name of "Friday, as Chanlain Wmton's helper at Cot ford, ah-o spoke wolcominji the chaplain back. Chanlain Winton. who was received with anolau»b, thanked those present for Hie nim welcome thev had (liven linn. When he cot, to London he was told he was not wanted, and was sent down lo Codfonl to await the next bout n»"k to New Zealand. But at Codfonl Ik- i'.iir himself in. and made himself indispensable. At the suKßOsiion of the Commissioner, he explained how he had been nrosented with the M.11.E. by King Georce.