WELSH NAMES.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1924, Page 4

WELSH NAMES.

(Christchurch Stnr). Like most oilier folk the Welshman “has a lot of sentiment in Ins makeup. and love ol country i- with him an undying hue. fl mailers not whether a man is from North or >outh Wales', there is a camaraderi, no mailer when or whore they may meet. Even to la-nr a Welsh name i- equal to an introduction. There are, "I course. Welsh names and A\ oLli names. Some possess a number of letters that 1.0 other than a Welshman appear unpronounceable. Act the very sound i|ike a breath of life to the Cambrian, ft is a common thing to bear “What s in a name C There is a great deal n a name, and such names as Carndog Roberts. Dan Price. Joseph Parry. Kdimvrid Prys, etc., bring memories of sweet music beard m loved Wales. Lut that there is something in a name even of few letters goes without saying.- Let us glance for a minute or two at one such. We will take

“Evans” as an illustration. The present exhibition in Hokitika has folds secretary and chief organiser, Mr I). ,J. Evans. He is a man of whom not merely Hokitika but the. whole of Westland is justly proud. Then we had in Christchurch, until recently, that sweet singer. Dan Evans, whose son is a choir hoy in our Cathedral. It we go to sport, he it cricket, bowls, or Rugby, the name “Evans” is prominent, the Welshman being just as whole-souled iii sport as in the mine serious walks in life. In tact it is his love of sport that fits him so largely for the more important matters ot a personal, local or national character. In the use of the Christian names here there is no disrespect—it is merely a certificate of good lollowship and iceognitiou of worth. In the lootbull held we have Reg. Evans, the wellknown Merrivale live-eighths. On the cricket field we had tor years frank Evans, whose genial smile was aiway.like an extra lint for his team. lie is equally keen and as fully appreciated on the bowling green. 1 hen we have that grand Old Man. the saviour of Timaru. and through Timaru. of South Canterbury. William Evans, who like the Premier, is known far and wide as ‘Bill.’ To him belongs the honour of the Eastern Extension at Timaru. W hen the heavy seas had battered their way nearly through the solid concrete, it was William Evans, who, in face ol the strongest possible opposition, advocated a loan of a further £ll“LOflO. He fought for this in the Press, on the platform and in tlie hoard room. He feared nothing except stagnation. Work, and hard work, held no terrors for him. and South Canterbury raises its hat to the name of “Evans." Ibis old stalwart, though some eighty-sev-en years of ago in February, has a mind ns clear, a courage as great and confidence for the future ns firm as in the most strenuous fights for the welfare of Canterbury.