STAFFORD NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1919, Page 2

STAFFORD NEWS.

(Our own correspondent.) The numerous friends of Mrs Routhan, Senr., -of Goldsborough, will sorrowfully learn of her serious illness. During the influenza epidemic she was one of the sufferers, from which she never recovered, and the attack of

| pneumonia which supervened,- and- her condition became so weakened, that she sought admission into Westland Hospital. The skilful medical attention, and excellent nursing she received there enabled her to return home about three weeks ago; but her already weak heart succumbed to the strain of her long illness, and her present condition is causing the gravest anxiety to her parents (Mr and Mrs .Eggleton, of Kumara), brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, and the whole community. WELCOME HOME. : Owing to counter-attractions at other places the welcome home social to Corporal Robert Byrne, and Private Gordon J. Barker was not as largely attended as former ones, but the goodly number present had a most enjoyable time. Mr Sandle, chairman, apologised for the absence of Mr W. M. Routhan, on account of the serious illness of J member of his family, Mr Duff, County i Chairman, Mr Carroll, and Mr Lyons. I In making a presentation of a beauti- J fully illuminated address to each of the 1 returned soldiers, Mr Sandle spoke of the meritorious services rendered by our New Zealand men, and referred to the actions in which Corporal Byrne took part as a member of the Machine Gun Corps, vys: Messines, La Basse, Pa'schcndaele, Bapaume, the stprming and capture of Le Quesnoy, and the dispersal of the enemy from -*ormal Wood, and his subsequent advance with the Army of Occupation to Colonge, thus filling nearly three years of strenuous service. Private Barker went with a later reinforcement but, though it was shorter than Corp Byrne, his time at the front was filled with arduous service. Messrs M. Fitzgerald and George Linklater also voiced the heartiness of the present wel-

conic. After the supper adjournment the chairman desired on behalf of the committee to express its thankfulness to Mrs Stewart (piano), Mr F. Torley (violin), Mr Richard Roberts (M.C.), Misses Brown and Morgan for extras, Mr McGuigan for assisting as M. 0., to the decorators of the hall, to Mrs L. E. Morgan for the use of her piano when the one generally used “went out of action,” and especially thanked the Arahura Dance Committee for postponing their function, so as not to clash with this. At 12.30 a.m., the chairman (being tired) retired, and Mr AA T . Blackman kindly took charge of affairs till 2.30 a.m., when the proceedings terminated in the usual manner.