VALEDICTORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1917, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

FAREWELL DINNER TO THE OFFICERS OF THE S3m> j REINFORCEMENTS. Last week at the Field Oflicers’ Mess, Treutham, a farewell dinner was given to the officers of the 33rd Reinforcements, Captain R. J. Seddon (President of the mess) in the chair, and the following guests were present : Colonel IT. R. Potter, C.M.G., Camp Commandant, Colonel Macdonald,' Lieut-Colonel Cmnming, Majors Dampen, Sweetzer, Talbot, and Captain Pardon. There were a number of ladies present for the occasion.

The toast of the King was drunk first.

Later the Camp Commandant, Col. Potter in proposing the toast, of the 33rd’s said :—lt is with very grpat, pleasure that 1 rise to address the officers of the 33rd Reinforcements. When you come to look back to the time when we first, opened this camp there were very few if any that, fore-* saw that we were going.to send away 33rd Reinforcements. Still here we are on the eve of taking farewell of the offieers of the 33rd. It has been a pleasure to have the 33rd’s. They have done remarkably good work for the short time they have been in training. It is on the battlefield'that we look for results. When they have been merged into the main body Ave can only say they have made tood by noting the names of the officers for the 33rd men will be accompanying them and 1 can only say the officers have done their duty otherwise your reinforcement would not be up to the standard it is now.

I hope also you Avill be in time to have a final brush with the enemies, and I hope you Avill be in the march to Berlin. I know you all realise that the first duty of an officer is to look after his men, and then you will find they will do their best, t can assure you it has been a pleaure to have this reinforcement in camp, as my brother Commandant in Featherston agrees. 1 hope Ave Avill have good reports back from the front from you and that a great many of yon Avill come back wearing distinctions, in fact I hope that some of you will come back Brigadiers, witli the laurels of victory on your brow. In the absence on business of Captain J. C. McKillop who goes off in charge of the Reinforcement, Lieut B. C. Kirk, next senior officer replied to the toast, saying.—Ever since coming into camp we always thought, in fact Ave Avere certain that we were the best reinforcement possible. On behalf of my brother officers I may state that Ave will endeavouL to keep up the name of the 33rd’s Avhich is a good one. I thank Colonel Potter very much for his remarks in regard to this reinforcement. Colonel Macdonald said on behalf of the ladies present and those other of us Avho are visitors Ave thank you \ r ery r much for the way in Avhich you have drank to. our health, and I assure you as visitors that we wish the 33rd’s the very best of luck on their voyage home and in France. I have no hesitation in saying that I believe the 33rd’s Avill maintain the standard of previous reinforcements.

OPENING OFNEWMESSBUILDING PROVIDED BY THE Y.M.C.A.

■ After the dinner to the 33rd ReI inforcements the opportunity was | taken to liav’e officially opened the !• new mess rooms only just completed by the Y.M.C.A. I The President (Captain Seddon) in proposing the toast of the Y.M.C.A. said that through then kindness he lAvas about to take over some new rooms—a long felt Avant, and on behalf of the officers wished to thank I the Y.M.C.A. for the kind eonsideraj tion shown. In the past avc have I been using some rooms in the Anzac Club, more on sufferance than anything else, and we Avere badly in | need of some room. Yon will agree I the Y.M.C.A. looked to the wants of I the men first and rightly so, for the Anzao Club was provided. Now they haA'e been good enough to strike a bIoAV for the officers, and we are indeed very thankful tci them for what they have done. The people of New Zealand and indeed throughout the world appreciate, very much the good work being carried out by the Y M.C.A. itf the front is their most important work, still in other parts of the Avorld it is necessary for them to organise to do the good work at 1 the front. Before the war two of the greatest organisations Avere the Catholic Church and the Standard' Oil Trust, but now I think the Y.M.C.A. the greatest organisation In conclusion I shall couple with this toast the names of Mr TI. W. Kersiey, Chairman National Committee Y.M.C.A., Mr C. M. Luke, Chairman Camp Committee, Mr E. C. Brownwell, General National Secretary, Avhom Ave are pleased to have with us this evening, and on behalf of the officers I thank them heartily for the very necessary comfort they have provided. Col Potter (Camp Commandant), on behalf of the Defence Department, said that with regard to the opening, about to take place of this building, I wish to thank most sincerely the Y.M.C.A. I may say that this is not the only thing the Y.M.C.A. has done * for the camps. Whatever I wanted they have always been ready to do for me, and I can assure yon that I am most thankful for the assistance 1 rendered to us by the. Y.M.C.A. I * don’t think tho people of NeAV Zea- 1 land will realise what they have done until the history of the great war is c written. They have been at me r again offering me something else, and lam sorry the 33rds will not be here f to participate in it. We are going to 0 get what will be a lasting benefit to „ the reinforcements, a gymnasium for

the camp. They have promised me it. lam sure their hearts are in it now, and they will see that we get it. The officers’ mess is their home, but up to the present Ave have not had an opportunity of installing the home ties of an officers’ mess. Now that we have a comfortable mess we shall try.

I hope gentlemen that when you go in there and use those comfortable chairs, and smoke the pipe of peace, and after a lot of strapping from the Commandant, that you wi 11 think of the Y.M.C.A. I thank you on behalf of the Defence Department for this splendid gift. 1 know that every officer of the staff joins with me AVhen I state that their visits will be more frequent in the future. 1 am also glad to see the wives and sisters present this evening.

Mr H. W. Kersiey, in responding to the toast of the Y.M.C.A., said if he had to say anything in connection with the Y.M.C.A he had better be in order. We feel that to-night when Ave get here amongst the officers and men in camp that we are iu great company. I Avant to say that all the head men in the military world and labour world take a kindly interest in the Y.M.C.A. We have every consideration shown us 'by the officers in command in this camp and Featherston, also by General Richardson in England to the Y.M.C.A. NoAvitAVas Colonel Potter who made the suggestion about these extra rooms, and you have to thank him for it. The gymnasium is not. our suggestion but part of our work. Colonel Potter recognises that men have to be looked after physically as well as mentally and spiritually, and the best thing Avas to go in and do it. It is not only in Trentkam that. Ave are interested, for Ave hope to open in Wellington in a Aveek or tAA r o a restaurant for all the men in camp, a place where they can leave their coats and baggage, have games, etc. Mr C. M. Luke stated that it gave him vei’y great pleasure in being present. He was rather surprised that Captain Seddon apologised at all for his inability to express fully his praise for the Y.M.C.A. —the son of a great Commoner and of a brother who is a legislator and son of such a family as Captain Seddon boasts. I think Captain Seddon deserves great credit for his excellent speech. Well now I think Colonel Potter is quite correct in stating that the men who represent the 33rd Reinforcements are the very finest of his family. In fact I have seen a great many reinforcements go a,way, and I want to say that not one of those lads would withdraw from the high and uoble purpose to Avliich they had put their hands. I haVe always been associated Avith the Y.M.C.A. and it has been the delight of my life to do all that I can to make the condition of the men as light as possible. I Avant to thank Colonel Potter for bis remarks. I may say I have heard from all sources at the front as to what the Y.M.C.A. is doing there. I say to you gentlemen that w’liereever yon go under all circumstances you Avill find us there ready to make your conditions of life as happy as possible.

Mr E. C. BroAvnell said, that as our friends have eulogised tho 33rds, the only thing I can say is God’s speed. There was neA'er a happier day in my life than Avhen the Union Jack and Stars and Stripes joined, and you don’t know how I longed for them to come in. They are in it, and in it to stay, and yon will find that the American Associations are the same. The Y M.C.A. has been in existence just 35 years, and when this Avar oc curred it was thought the Y M.C.A. would close, but the people have come to realise Avhat the institution stands for, and wliat it means. In fact, G eneral Haig has stated that it is now a part of the British Army. The National Committee of the Association are simply watching all the time for avenues to help. At the present time arrangements are being made by the Y.M.C.A. to hofase men in Paris Avhich should prove an additional comfort. We feel that Avliile men of the 33rds are going away, Ave wish yon God’s speed and a safe return. We want you to watch the enemy without and within, and we trust that God will grant you Hia protection and give you a speedy victory over the foe.

BEVERAGES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

'l'lnit many of the non-alcoholic drinks sold 10-day are manufactured largely from chemicals is a matter only too true. But the beverages of one ’l firm may be cited as an exception these being those of Messrs Thomson and Co., whose trademark and waWhi word is “Purity,” and in the preparation of whose- drinks real fruit juices and fruit extracts are used, and these are the best and purest obtainable. In addition to supcr-excollont materials, Thomson and Co utilize wafer from an artesian spring, and machinery lined with silver to prevent contamination; while their factory is a model of sanitation. As additional safeguards, all cordials are pasteurised after being hermetically examined at intervals to further ensure absolutely purity. When celebrating the festive season it behoves you, then, to sop that you get Thomson’s Waters and cordials. For use at home in the camp, or elsewhere there’s nothing purer in the world than Thomson’s Ginger Wine, Thomson’s Raspberry Vinegar, Thomson’s Limejuice Cordial, or Thomson’s Carbonated Waters.

GET RID OF THAT COUGH. Baxter’s Lung Preserver has no equal for coughs, colds, sore throats chest and bronchial troubles. Its soothing, relieving effects stops the cough, allays soreness and inflammation, and improves breathing. It also clears a cold from the head. Baxter’s offers tlie surest and shortest way to regain health, strength and protection from funner illness. Thousands gratefully testify to its exceptional merits. Don’t be deceived into buying a substitute. Get a big Is lOd bottle of this sterling tonic and remedy to-day. All chemists and stores. II ■