DISTRICT NEWS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 16 October 1919, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

KAUKAPAKAPA

[Own Corbespondentl

WELCOME HOME,

On Monday last the final welcome home to local returned boys was held. Every boy who is returning to this district has now come back, the last three being Sec. Lieut. H. Stewart, Gunner Osbaldiston, and Pte. Hardling. A large crowd assembled in the Hall to welcome these boys. The first part of the evening was taken up with a concert programme, songs being given by Mrs Goodwin, Messrs Milligan senr., R. Milligan, Webster, and Pace ; recitations and readings by Mrs Pascoe, Messrs Koller and Milligan ; whilst Misses Sinclair and Henley contributed a pianoforte duet. Mr Dye then welcomed the boys home in his usual able manner. The first part concluded with the singing of " For they are jolly good fellows." A bountiful supper, provided by the ladies, was then handed round, after which the hall was prepared for dancing. A most enjoyable social coucluded in the early hours of the morning.

ADDRESS TO FARMERS

As reported in last week's ECHO, the much advertised visit of Mr Tom Bloodworth eventuated on Friday, 3rd inst. A fair number rolled up to hear this noted speaker. Mr Blood worth holds the position of President of the Federation of Labour and also of the Workers' Educational Association. In his opening remarks the speaker acknowledged that he was not too conversant with the ways of the farmer and felt at a distinct disadvantage in addressing them. He claimed, however, that the Labour Party and the farming community had many things in common. Both were being exploited by the capitalist and middle man. The farmer had small prices paid to him for wool, meat, butter, and hides, etc., compared with what the public were charged for those same things. The Labour Party sought to eliminate the middle man, and so give both the farmer a?id the publio a fair deal. Mr Bloodworth went on to say that his party realised that the farmers were the ones on whom New Zealand, as primarily a producing country, had to depend, The future of. the land depended on them. The Labour programme was then outlined, the chief plank so far as £he farmer was concerned being the land policy. This was acknowledged to be the weakest part of the programme instead of one of the strongest. The chief proposal perhaps of this policy was the elimination of all freehold tenure and the substitution of leasehold in all cases. At the close of lea: : \ the holder to be paid the price of all improvements made.

At the close of his address, Mr Bloodworth answered many questions, most of them concerning the land policy. The meeting was a yery attentive one, and although perhaps not in agreement with all the remarks of the speaker, .most people appreciated very highly his address. Mr Koller made an efficient chairman, A vote of thanks to the speaker was proposed by Mr Diprose, seconded by MrMilligan, and carried by acclamation.

RETURNED SOLDIERS HONOURED

The much discussed Grand Banquet in honour of our re" turned soldiers has come and gone. It proved one of the greatest successes eyer known in the district. On Wednesday last week all roads led to the Hall and all day lqng a stream of helpers were busily preparing for the grea,t event. The large hall was tra.nsform.ed into a place of beauty, and flags, greenery, and ferns were everywhere in profusion,. The tables themselves were a wonderful sight, beautifully decqrated with an abundant supply af all kinds of red, white and blue flowers, and loaded with a great variety of good things. Much credit is due to those who had the work of arranging these things. At the hour appointed the majority of the guests were assembled. The hall was comfortably filled when Mr Dye, who held the proud position of chairman, gave the starting signal. Griiests from, al!} around the district were present, Wainui, Glorit, Makarau, and Helensville all being represented. The reception committee of ladies and the gentlemen ushers had a busy time arranging the seating accommodation.

After the inner man had been well satisfied, the second feast of the evening was partaken of. By a stroke of r?o.od fqrtune the seyvices of the Lyric Quartette had been secured from town. Miss Fewell, a well-kuown and

very popular former resident, also journeyed up to act as accompanist. During the evening Miss Feweli gave one of her beautiful solos, receiving a well-deserved encore.

A long toast list was gone through, the speeches being interspersed with items by the Quartette. What music they gave us ! It is very seldom that country residents have the privilege of enjoying such good singing. Holding as they do, the proud position of being the premier male quartette of New Zealand, the Lyric Four know full well how to entertain their audience. Messrs Ripley and Pym in particular captivated the audience with their splendid v6ices, whilst Mr Alan McElwain made us all laugh until the tears came. The concerted items were a musical treat.

The following is the toast list

" The King," proposed by Mr Dye; "Guests of the Evening," proposed by Mr Dye, responded to by Mr Wm. Stewart, jun.; "Departed Comrades," proposed by Mr Pace; "Army and Navy," proposed Mr Pace, responded to by Messrs Eyes ( Army) and Sinclair (Navy) ; " Our Allies," proposed by Mr Stewart, responded to by Mr Diprose ; " The Empire," proposed by Mr S. Scott, responded to by Mr T. Naughton ; " Parents of Soldiers," proposed by Mr Koller, responded to by Messrs Stevens, sen., and Milligan ; "The Ladies," proposed by Mr G. Hooper, D.C.M., responded to by Mrs Goodwin; " Our Entertainers," proposed by Mr Cole, responded to by one of them. The toast list was interspersed with musical and elocutionary items by the Lyric Quartette, and Miss Feweli also sang.

It was long after midnight before the last toast was drunk and the final item sung, but when at last "God Save the King," and " Should auld acquaintance be forgot" were sung, one and all agreed that the famous Kaukapakapa Banquet had been a great success. We trust that the forthcoming Ball on November 10th will be equally as good.

The pulpits of the Methodist Churches at Kaukapakapa, Helensville.and Wainui last Sunday were occupied by Rev. J. H, Edrnondson, a former Home Missionary. Good attendances were reported at all servioes. Mr EJdmondson was exchanging with Rev. F. C. Pace who journeyed to the Port Albert distriot for the week end.

One of Pathe's latest achievements is to filmatize Wilkie Collins' masterpiece, " The Woman in White," which will be screened at the Lyric on Saturday, with Florence la Badie as the heroine. The picture doos full justice to the book and reproduces in a surprising manner the weird atmosphere of suspense which is such a striking feature of the story, it tells how Sir Percival Glyde marries Laura Fairlib for her money, and then schemes with Count Fosco to put her out of the way. The woman in white is a half-witted girl named Ann who greatly resembles Laura, Anq dies and they substitute her dead body for Laura whom they place in an asylum as Ann. The way is clear, but they reckon without her sister and Hartridge who loves her. It is a long and exciting road to the unexpected denouement.

J. F. Lambert for Pqrd Cars