CHRISTCHURCH EXCURSION

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1929, Page 1

CHRISTCHURCH EXCURSION

TO HOKITIKA, NOVEMBER 2nd. The Returned Soldiers’ Association here has been advised that the Christchurch Branch is organising a Railway Excursion to Hokitika on Saturday, November 2nd. The train will leave Christchurch at 6.25 a.m., and arrive at Hokitika about 1 p.m. The train will depart for Christchurch on return at 11 p.m. Between 500 and 600 people are 'to- travel by the train. A meeting will be held at the Soldiers’ Hall at 8 o’clock to-morrow night to organise a committee of ladies and gentlemen for the reception and-enter-tainment of the visitors, when it is hoped there will be a good attendance. A good muster of Returned Men and their wives are expected across, and the local brancli here is desirous of doing all it can for their comrades. The visiting returned men have expressed a desire, to see the electric dredge at South Hokitika, and offers of local automobiles to assist in the transport are invited. Probably some of the number will also visit the lakes and other scenic points. For the programme in town, the visitors are being advised of the opening of the Municipal Baths on Novemoer 2nd. and no doubt invitations to visit the bowling green and tennis courts will also be extended to the visitors. It is hoped on arrival to provide light refreshments qt the Soldiers’ Hall for the returned men and their wives, and to provide hot water, etc. on Cass Square for the general visitors. For the evening, as ( the train will he delayed till 11 o’cock, a complimentary dance at the Soldiers’. Hall has 'been mooted, and doubtless will be carried through. The’ desire seems to be to give the visitors a hearty welcome and make them quite at home while here. No doubt many of the visiting exsoldiers will have the opportunity of fraternising with old comrades who were at the front, and on that account also, an influx of country returned men may also be expected for the day.