Soldiers Farewelled

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 December 1916, Page 2

Soldiers Farewelled

BY LEY IN PATIUOT/IC SOCIETY. AN 1 ENJOYABLE CONCERT. Nine soldiers from Levin and Ohau who are going into camp with the 24th Reinforcements were farewelled in t'he Century 'Hall last night, when tho Frivolity Minstrels, under the auspices of Levin Patriotic Society gave a most enjoyable entertainment. The lvall was crowded everwliere. The first part consisted of a burntcork "minstrel show" in which jokes; quips, comic and sentimental songs, local allusions and so forth, were combined in an enjoyable degree. The second part of the program took the form of a "naval revue," in which the characters were well taken. During the interval between the parts i?ie mayor of Levin (Mr Charles Blenk-

horn) mad© a speech of farewell and encouragement to the guests of the evening. He prefaced it with a reference to the excellent entertainment that had been given by the minstrels, and made special reference to ' the efforts of Messrs Jepson and Prime (decorators) and P. O. Young (pianist) these references being at the instigation of the minstrel management. /Vlr iFilpnkhom also referred to. the fact that Mr Mason, who had been a contributor at previous entertainments, would be going into camp .with the 24th or 25th Reinforce* ments. The mayor went on to speak of the gratifying fact that the minstrels now were banded together to assist in giving proper sends-off to the men who went out to fight for us all; it was proper that they should be suitably entertained and fare welled, and he. was sure that the work of the minstrels to this end was very highly appreciated' by one and all, and by Levin Patriotic Society in particular. The hon. secretary (Mr

Keedwell) was specially appreciative; lie was saved mucli worry. These ■grand patriotic entertainments that were being given, month after month, were meant to show the men who were going forward that we did appreciate their actions. To-night they had with them no less than nine who were going. This district had done very well right through, and he was very pleased —everyone was very pleased—that we were keeping up our reputation. Our men were doing very well in France, as the daily records were showing; they were behaving themselves gallantly on the field and with credit off it; in fact it should make all New Zealanders proud of the credit these men reflected on the country (hear, hear!) He was sure that the men they were farewelling that evening would help to add further to our laurels. He would now call upon the mayoress to present Cardigan jackets to the men. Mrs Blenkhorn. in presenting the jackets, expressed the great pleasure she found in making this gift on behalf of the Patriotic Society; she wished every recipient "the best of luck and a safe return." (Applause) The recipients were:— V. E. Hitchings, 'Levin. A. Mason, Levin. R. R. Butt, Levin, F. iF. Ferris, Levin. H. Murray, Levin. G. L. Adkin, Levin. J. Stansell, Levin. G. Stichbury, Ohau. 'H. Saint, Ohau. After the presentation had been made. Mr Blenkhorn (amidst applause

from audience) extended a welcome to Private Frank Wooding, lately back from the front. Mr Blenkliorn expressed the pleasure it had given him to be present at the station when Private Wooding returned. He had to thank Mr Holdaway for notifying him of the time of Private Wooding's homecoming, and he trusted that people would let him know the exact times when others were re-' tuirning, for he did not like the idea' of anyone who had been "sent away with a flourish of trumpets." so to speak, being allowed to come back practically unnoticed. In {ocSricluding his remarks, Mr Blenkhwn mention that those sendis-off to the men were a source of revenue to the Levin Patriotic Sjotciety—the. public who paid to attend them would be pleased to know that. The send-off given in October had yielded £20 3s, and the expenses were only £1 lie 9d, while last month's send-off yielded £13 6s, and the expenses wetre £1 10s. iMr Blenkliorn ended his remarks with an appreciative reference to the part borne in this war by the women of the countrvi; there was little or none of the glamour for them; only the routine of work in factory or home, and the keeping-up of a cheerful as- - pect while full of anxiety for their absent children and relatives of whom little or no news was to be obtained for long periods of time.