FUNCTION AT OHAU.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 18 October 1917, Page 3

FUNCTION AT OHAU.

SEND-OFF TO SOLDIERS

(By Our Special Reporter.)

Ohau folk roiled up in force at the Institute on Tuesday evening, to do honour to several district boys who are about to go on active service. Unfortunately,

four of the five invited guests

were unable to be present. Messrs G. Mudgway, F. Pillow, and Reg. Best, and Private H. B. Honore were detained by military and private duties, and Mr George Glacken was the only one able to be present.

The proceedings commenced with a short coneert programme, to which some of Levin's best talent contributed, all being received with enthusiasm. The Misses Williamson played the opening overture very nicely, and Mr Howard Andrew followed with " The Powder Monkey," vigorously sung. Mrs Penton's song, "Whisper and I shall Hear," was very acceptable, and Mr John Brown rendered " Out on the Deep" and "The Veteran's Song." Mrs Devine expressively sang " When the Bells of Joy are Ringing," and Miss Gray was responsible for two nicely sung numbers in " Coming Home" and " Until." Mr Les. Scott, of Farland's, at once became a prime favourite with the audience, his clever sleight-of-hand work and neat step dancing demonstrating his versatility. Mr Thomson was another entertainer who pleased the audience immensely with "A Scratch Sermon," his local hits being enjoyed thoroughly. He gave " Bairnie's Cuddle Doon " as an encore number. Mr Ken. Aitken was in good form, a musical monologue and a recitation entitled " When are you going away " earning him enthusiastic applause. Mr D. W. Matheson, in costume, burlesqued Harry Lauder, to the great amusement of the audience, and he was associated with Mr Aitken in a neat little sketch. A young singer from Wanganui, Miss Wilson, sang "The Tulip and the Rose " very pleasingly. The accompaniments were tastefully played by Mrs Nation.

After the concert, Mr A. McLeavy, who acted as chairman during the evening, referred to the approaching departure of Mr Glacken. He had been chairman of the school committee and a member of the hall committee. He was very popular in the district, and they were all sorry he was going away. But they recognised that he was going to do his duty, and the speaker felt sure that if their guest got the opportunity he would show the Germans that he could do his duty. (Applause,)

The Mayor of Levin (Mr C. Blenkhorn) then presented Mr Glacken with a money belt. In doing so, he said that, while they cheered the boys who were going away, they must confess to a feeling of sadness at the bottom of their hearts that so many young men were leaving us. But the sadness was relieved by the thought that these men were going to do their duty and make a glorious name for themselves and for New Zealand, And he was bound to say thos: v. ho were going now would be as worthy of their country as the earlier drafts. The question was sometimes asked whether the war was worth while. _ "It is certainly worth while if it brings victory and peace, for the world will then be a better and a brighter place for our children and for their children," continued the Mayor. " History teaches us that all this bloodshed and suffering is only the beginning of better things. Liberty and progress will follow it, and the suffering will be forgotten in the brightness of a better day. (Applause.)

The Mayor then presented Mr Glacken with the belt, stating that his Ohau friends hoped he would soon return safe and sound and that in the meantime they wißhed him good luck and God speed.

Cheers were then given for the departing soldier, and " He's a Jolly Good Fellow " sung.

Mr Glacken briefly thanked the company. He said he had only been two years in Ohau, put they had been the happiest two years of his life. Now that financial and business responsibilities had. reached a position that made it possible for him to go, he went with pleasure, and he only hoped that when his turn came to go forward he would not be found wanting. (Applause.)

Mr Tuiti McDonald, on behalf of the native race, made a short speech in well chosen phrases, in which he referred to the liberty and justice the Maoris had enjoyed under the British flag, and the obligation they felt to go and fight for the small nations of the world to whom that freedom and justice was denied by the Germans. He also spoke of the Maoris' part in the Gallipoli campaign.

Subsequently the floor was cleared for dancing, and the evening brought pleasantly to a close.