A POPULAR LEVINITE.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 13 November 1917, Page 3

A POPULAR LEVINITE.

! !• AiUmte' lO 3SB> lUUti'lUm. Mr A. W. llichter, the well-known auctioneer anil stock agent, was made the subject of a suiprise- just beiore the cattle fair ■comnieneeol at the Levin sa/eyards ijlius altemoon. He li'is been so personally popular and iiai-- given so much of hi« time and energy to patriotic auctions that tli esettlers lelt they could not aliow him to go into camp tomorrow witliout some de. Unite expression of their regard. Ac. cordingty, alter the first pen of lioggcts hail been sold, diir J as. l'rouso voiced (i/lie feeling of the farming com miuiity towards the departing isoldier-to-lie. 'lU u:|, oi' you Know/' said -Ur f'rouse "that Mr itichter has volunteered and that tli.s is his last day as a private citizen. We people of this district, l;hose who have wonkodl with him, and those who come to these yards, fee! that we should give iiim i-onie recognition of that eveiV: and of his attributes as a business man, and

his uiiNcjlUsh work in many patriotic auctions and gatherings. We could

not give him a travelling bag or a motor-car-—these things are oi' no use to a soldier. lint .1 have here a piece of paper, which 1 ask him to accept so that in the good days to come, when we have won tihe war (hear, hear), and he is back with 11* again, lie will he able to furnish himself with something as a reminder of 'his association with this district'' (applause)..

"This cheque," continued: Mr I'rouse. at! ho bandied it to Mr liichter, '•is ia token of the goodwill of the (people of the district."

Speaking generally Mr Prouse said .Mi' Rl.chter was going to fight for the freedom of all of t/hem. Early in the war some idiot raised the cry "Business as u; unl." Later 011 our soldiers were asked to fight for the King and Empire. But now the fact was that we were fighting for our freedom and libenfjy. If the Germans won all would be enslaved, body, soul and spirit. Those iv'uo thought he was wrong should read the latent statement by President Wilson and the opinions of sueh 11:0:1 a„ Hi la ire Belloc, and' even be gu'.jded by the evidence of their own senses. The spirit of oho German rul-

er,-—not of the German people—was embodied in x'hrase "To hell with agreements," and we had to destroy that spirit or it would destroy us (applause). "We have been taking things 000 easy," continued the speaker, "The declared we were a soft, degenerate race, but we have shown them how degenerate we are (applause), and Mr U ichtor is going to show them that he comes of a race that has always fought for freedom and liberty and that wins in the end." (hear, hear.)

Mr Richter was rece-'vedi with much enthusiasm as he expressed his surprise and gracefulness. "I have always tried to do my best round here," he said, "and leave the district with very much regret. When we have finished the job over there I hope !bto come back amongst you."

Mr O. il. Porritt, the auctioneer, briefly expressed tho regret of Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd'., at Mr Richter's approaching departure and said tliaft when he returned there was a position awaiting him with the firm.

Last week the staff of Messrs Abraham and Williams made Mr Ricliter a present of a wristlet watch in token of their esteem and. goodwill.

On Friday evening last the members of the Levin Club fare welled one of their most popular members, Mr A. W. Richtcr, who goes into camp tomorrow. There was a large attendance of members, the Mayor (Mr O. Blenklhorn) presiding, and the eulogistic re.fcrenccs made to the guest of t'h'c evening by the various speakers were heartvly endorsed by the applause od ■the gathering. During the evening a presentation of a purse of sovereigns was made to Mr Richtcr by Mr John Kebholl, president of the Club, who referred to the recipient's many good qualities and wished'him success in military life and a safe return to New Zealand!. Apologies for absencc were received from Major Liddle and 'Messrs H. S. Bennett and J. B. Moodie, of the Wellington offices of the auctioneering firms. Customary toasts were honoured as follows"The King," the chairman,; "Army and Navy," Mr J. McTntyre, responded to by Mr Vincent; "The Guest," the chairman, supported by Messrs McKenzie, Thomson, Porter and Lawson, and responded to by Mr Richter, Who suitably acknowledged the gift and the references to himself}; "The chairman," responded to by Mr Blenkhom. Songs were contributed by Dr Brvfon, Messrs Hughes, Porteous, Currie and V.ickers, and t'hfe singing of "Auld Lang Syne" concluded the evening's proceedings.

The Levin Lawn Tennis Club held a social evening in the Druids' Hall last night for the purpose of entertaining Mr and Mrs Riehter. About sixty people were present and a very enjoyable dance programme was indulged in. At a interval Mr H. H. Cork referred to the approaching departure of the ClubV guests. who Ih'ad been prominent in tennis cF'rdos in Levin for a number of years. M'rs Riehter hadi been one. of the founders of the Club. On behaTf of the tennis players 'lie wished Mr Riehter success and ai t=afo rq'mrn from the war. Mr Riehter briefl!y- acknowledged the kindly references to himself and Mrs Riehter.