Thirteenth Reiuforcements

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 February 1916, Page 3

Thirteenth Reiuforcements

''fcMNiD-OvVto LJB\IN A.N 1) DISTRiUi' V uLU'NTIkiiJLUS. Under the u/uspiueti of the Levin and District Patriotic iSooioty a ' 'send-off ' to the men frotn the totw-n ot Levin and tfie surrounding district vvhu, having volunteered for active service at the front, have been called up to the thirteenth reinforcements tinai go into camp to-diay, was given in the Town Hall last evening.

The function took the foam oi a concert and dance. The musical program was an excellent one, and its rendition by the performers well merited the &]._ pla use tlhat followed each item. Songs were given by Mrs Bryson (encore 3), Miss Goldsmith' (encored,;, Messrs \V. Hughes (2) encored, Rev. R. Miller (2) encored, and it. Denton ; a duet by Mr ami Mrs W. Hughes, the latter playing the acooipaiiiment; a cornet solo (encored) "by Mr V. Denton; a l»i«nofortc solo by Miss Pli.vllis Keeti.a recitation, 'containing good "ad vice," re being checrl'iiJ (encored) by Mrs Kocdwell. -Mrs . H. Pyke was a most efficient acoouivpanist.

Sergjt. Mtudkoy, who n« received with hearty applause and clapping, reflated many of his experiences in the oaiirapaign in German Somth-wcst Africa The surrounding oi the Germans, tneir airships, ETie bombs. from which in the early "morning brought the men on a the coimimander out quicker than ever didi tSie reveille, the land mines and poisoned well were sull touelieff upon, and the ten minutes allotted to Sergt. Situckey seemed a very short ten min - utes. One felt that oven a couple ot hours would be too short. He also showed very interesting troiphios, including Ktn automatic piste I, the case of which can be used as a stock, and ■willich h;»s a range of 1000 yards, diifferent sized German shells, an officer s epwufobteM and spurs, « tnrec-eorner.Ml U-iyonet, .and a saw-edged bayonet, though in fairness to the Germans, said Scrgt. Stuckey, they had not., as far as known, used these latter against white tr'oops. *At the conclusion ott his reniiiai-ks the sergeant was again heartily applauded.

Si'i'gt. Hiillson, formerly on the s' •• if of the Boys' Training farm at Wornrofl, was present, having returned! recently from tho front. Tic; was at Anznc, and the mention of his name and his n.ppoa ranee aimong the audience wis the signal for outbursts of applause and clapping. Those present would like to have heard him relate some of li.is experiences, but ho did not think it opportune and he was excused^

Tho Mayor, in officially saying farewell to the departing volunteers, said they were not holding a concert For their own pleasure, but to mark their appreciation of the work done by the men who had been to the front mil to those who were going. They would liko to have given a "send-off" to all who went, but tiho uncertainty of the movements of the men Had prevented it. „

Continuing tho Mayor said that owing to its geographical position and the demand created for its products the country hardly felt the war; ft >vas enjoying an era of unexampled prosperity. They should realize that it will take nil their efforts to get through the present struggle sfUely and that il they are defeated the fate of Belg'iun would be theirs—ruined homes, murdered men and outraged women. The liien wlio were going to the front were part of the shield to proteut them ironi these horrors (applause). They were going to do their duty and add tame to what had been done already applause). It was difficult for the «oionial to dbey, but the first duty of the soldlier was to obey. tfbedieiice meant disuipline, and discipline meant victory. 'When he had learned to obey the colonial soldier wus the finest in lie world. He wished them and a safe return (applause). Tho Mayor then presented each o, the volunteers with a Cardiignn jacket made by the Levin Ladies' Patriotic eoiiMitibtee. The volunteers present were 1. Bartholomew, W. McNaugliton, W. A. Anderson, .S. Morgan, I'.. Cottle and J. Horn. Returned soldiers in addition to Sergeants Sltuekey and Lieutenant Hudson, Privates Fraser, Hanvoud, Yule and Messrs Wilson and MaJcolim. A vote of thanks, mowd by the Mayor to the performers was carried by acoclamution. A first-class supper then was handed round and the hall cleared for dancing. iMjiss 1. Pink played the music for the dance and Mr W. H rough, ton was M.C. The whole wins most successful, due in large measure to the good work done by tho members of tho Levin Ladies' Patriotio Society. The Levin Brass Band ployed several fine Selections outside the hridl prior to the concert. I . | •