WALTON.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 154, 16 October 1919, Page 1

WALTON.

RECEPTION AND PRESENTATIONS TO RETURNED SOLDIERS.

About 250 people of the Walton district assembled on Friday evening to do homage to returned soldier settlers. There had been a busy stir in the community for two or three days previously, and the social and entertainment committee of ladies and gentlemen under the presidency of Mr Norman W. Jordan spent happy hours in decorating and fittingly preparing the social hall for the auspicious event of welcoming seventeen “ boys” to their district homes. The walls gay with bunting, nikau and lycopodiums and the appropriate canopy festoons presented a charming interior, and the varied and beautiful lrocks of the fair dancers were responsible for picturesque colour effects.

The following list gives the names of the soldier guests of the evening :—• Captain G. Fromm, Lieuts. P. Fromm, A. Parish, Sergts A. Cook, MM., W. Motion, A.Miller, Privates J. T. Thrupp, A. Thrupp, J. Harper, W. Harper, A. Davidson,-E. Adams, S. Blanch, field, R. Barkley, E. Timmins. J. Abraham, F. Hall. ... Alternate dance and song occu-

pied halt was then Mr T. A. Mears, addressing the officers and men, said: On behalf of Walton residents it gives me great pleasure' to tender you a heartfelt welcome home. On a previous occasion we had the honor of greeting a large number of returned soldiers to their Walton home, men whom, like yourselves, it is a great privilege for any community to have amongst them. Some time ago we heard some talk of the decadence of the British nation. What would those critics,’some of whom had never done anything themselvesnow say after the splendid victories you have gained? We now know that this decadence was a myth for you have proved the opposite. A few days ago, October 4th, was the anniversary of a historic conflict in Flanders, when our New Zealand troops holding the centre and flanked on each side by the pick of British line troops, stormed and took 3000 yards of the Passchendaele ridge under terrific fire. We know too well the price paid for that fateful victory; but decadence, no! Looking at the photographs of the men who gained us such honor I am struck by their youthfulness. Our commanders, who always led with conspicuous credit, were young men in the prime of life, and these facts compel me to plead for a chance for young men in politics in New Zealand. These will lead in peace as well as they performed in war, so give them the opportunity. In conclusion, I wish you long life and prosperity, and if any of you havo brought home war-brides, so much discussed at present, I welcome them too, and wish them all happiness. Mr J. Jenkins, a member of the social and entertainment committee, was the next speaker. After a sincere expression of personal gratitude to the war heroes, he remarked “in agricultural parlance, the Kaiser bull and bully, ■who sought to trample down our fields of corn, has been leg-roped, nose-ringed and dehorned. The Crown Prince, that capering goat of 20th century European politics has had his vacuum-tank of a’ mind well syringed with British culture solution, but I am afraid his folly will be ended only by the Great Releaser, oblivion. Yon Bernhardi, Tirpitz and the other geese of Hunnish activities, trained very fine on a diet of straw-bread, margarine and shadow-soup, havo long ceased their cackling. The cream of German colonies has been thoroughly skimmed, and Philistine militarism you and your comrades have effectively ploughed and disc-harrowed. For all these blessings we are very grateful.” Mr N. W. Jordan, with a few well-chosen words of welcome and congratulation, then presented silver wristlet watches to five returned men who had not been given parting gifts previously. A serviceable fountain-pen of standard make was also presented to every one of the seventeen men, Mr G. Fromm, senior officer present, responding on behalf of

himself, other officers and men, said: “We wish to thank all Walton people for their kindness and much appreciate the expressions of welcome by Messrs Mears, Jordan and Jenkins. J am not a speech-maker, but will confess we are all very pleased to be amongst you, and we all value sincerely your pleasure-giving gifts.” Hearty cheers were tendered to the recipients and donors, the soldiers’ stentorian hurrahs bringing reminiscences of the “ tented field” to many present. The ladies of the social committee had prepared a recherche supper in a large marquee adjoining the hall, and after the due observance of refreshment rites, song and dance proceeded with a swing until 2.30 a.m. Musical items rendered were much applauded, the following programme speaking foritself: —Song, “ The Rose of No Man’s Land,” Miss D. Attwood ; recitation, “Anzac,” Miss Crissie Lawson ; songs, “The Trumpeter” and “ Oh ! Johnny,” Mr J. Baker; songs, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor” and “The Proposal,” Miss M. Ross; songs, “The Rivet of Years” and “Doreen,” Mr Cecil Pennell; song, “It is Quiet Down Here,’’ Miss M. Fromm; violin solo, “The Holy City,” Mr S. Blanchfield; song, “Let Us Forget," Mr S. M. Gribble; songs, “Flight of Years” and “God Send You Back to Me,” Mrs C.

recitation, “ Why Don’t the Gladys Dixon. Mrs BlancTffftWr, Miss Ross, Miss Berkley and Miss Fromm were the very efficient accompanists. Excellent dance music (pianoforte) was provided by the Misses Kirk, and Mr Blanchfield’s violin waltz renderings were a delight to dancers and non-dancers alike. The M.’sC. for the occasion, Messrs A. Adams and J. Kirk, were indefatigable in their offices, and this added greatly to the pleasure of the evening.