Twentieth Reinforcements

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 August 1916, Page 3

Twentieth Reinforcements

e — r.ini.rt 1i,1,L jO LiiAtAo QUO J. A. It was only a small number ol people that gathered at the Town L.Lal.l, last evening, to say farewell to Levin's quota ol men lor the Twentieth Reinforcements, yet it was one of the happiest and. (apart from the small attendance) most successful held so far. The organizers brought together a band of good performers, everyone of whom were heartily applauded for their efforts and ail had to appear a second time. The following was the program given: Overture. Miss 1. Pink; song. "Out on the Deep," Mr W. 'Hughes; recitation (cncoted), Miss M. Bishop; song (encored), Mrs Scott; song, "My O;d Shako" (encored'). Mr D. Porteoii-s; mandoline solo (encored), Mis Harkuess ; snug, "Tliora," (encored). Mr R Mottershead ; violin solo. Miss Andrew:, song (encoied), T\Lr W. Hughes; song; (encored), Farrior-Sergeant H. Musso. The accompanists were Mrs Nation. Mrs iiarlviicss and Miss Thompson. The mayor, in bidding the men farewell on behalf of the town, said the entertainment was one of a (series that had hern organized in order to show their appreciation of the action of thr men who were going to fight for their country. He was bitterly >inted 1 xK'tiii^e of the small attj idanee wl ic* reflected no credit on those who failed to come along and spend an h"i:' or two (applause). At Hm.e functions they saw nearly always the saM'e faces, mostly ladies, and he could sa.. they were the most, patno* .c in Levin (applause). The men had net enough patriotism to leave the tiie-:d* wl.ere they were keeping tlu home lire* burning or some such thing.. If it were not for the men who were going away to tight for them, their own homes would be burning. He wished it to be known what he thought of the matter. Fie was not speaking for bintself, but as mayor of the town (apIplause). To the men who were going Ihe was not going to say much. There were four from Levin and two from Koputaroa. When these two from Koputaroa left there was not a man (resident of the district) of military si-go left (applause), and ii' Levin men kept going as tliev had been there soon would be none here. He had been informed not long ago that all tin' eligible Maori men in the Koputaroa district had, l gone to the front. Willi these facts in front of them lie thought it a small thing to ask the men unable to go to come out aud take part in these farewell gatherings. They would have enjoyed the concerts, th« merits of which were undoubted. He wished to thank the performers for their assistance and their tine performances, especially Miss Thompson who ! had played many of the accompaniments. aud the ladies who had helped in the organization of the entertainment (applause). He would advise the men who were going away to take care of themselves. He hoped that God would spare them and that they would come back safe. JTe trusted they would follow the example of the Xew Zealanders who had. already gone to the front (applause). On behalf of the Levin Ladies Patriotic Committee Mrs Goldsmith presented each of the men with a Cardigan jacket. Three hearty cheers were given for the men and the audience sang heartily "For They are -lolly Good Follows."

The nanus of the men present, were Graham McDonald,-A. McDonald, J. Uyder. W. Walker (Levin) and J. Doyle (KVputaroa). C. Webb, of Koputaroa, was unable to attend and sent an apology. Refreshments were then handed round and the hall was cleared for dancing. Mr I. Pink played the music for it and Air W. Brough'-on acted, as .U.C.