MOUTOA NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1813, 13 April 1918, Page 3

MOUTOA NOTES.

(Own Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the Montoa Patriotic Society was held in the schoolroom on March 28th, There was an excellent attendance. Mr Galland presided, and read The report and balance-sheet for the year, which showed, receipts £222 5s 2d, and expenditure £199 7s Bd, balance in hand £22 17s 6d. The money has been expended on the purchase of material, which the ladies made up into various articles for the relief and comfort of our. wounded soldiers. £lO was sent to Miss Sybil Nathan, Wellington, for the purchase of slippers, and £lO3 (the result of garden fete) was sent to England to the London Committee of the N.Z. Branch of the British Red Cross Society. Twelve of cur old subscribers have joined the colours. Mr Galland made a strong appeal for more workers. The work of sewing had pressed rather heavily on four or five ladies of the Guild, and it was to be deplored that the making of such necessary garments as pyjamas, shirts, sox, etc., should be left to so few. A number of boxes have been dispatched during the year, and with renewed activity we trust to dispatch more this year. Mr Galland was re-elected secretary of the Society, and Mr Shaw chairman, for the ensuing year. A large and representative gathering Avas held in the Moutoa school on Friday, April sth, Avhen the residents of the district met to bid farewell to three soldiers who are leaving New Zealand shortly for the front —Pte. L. Scadden, of Marotiri, Pte. J. T. Morgan, Moutoa, and Pte. C. Lineham, late of Whitaunui, Moutoa. A-number of visitors were present from Foxton and Shannon. Mr Spencer, of Shannon, presided at the piano, Several ladies and gentlemen contributed songs, which greatly added to the evening’s enjoyment. After supper Mr J. Galland presented each soldier with a Avristlet Avateh, suitably inscribed. Mr Galland spoke at some length on the serious aspect of the Avar and the urgent need for reinforcements, and although it gave him great pleasure to preside at this gathering—of Avhich avc had had quite a number—yet that pleasure Avas tinged with sadness. We Avould look forAvard Avith the hope that they would return safely to New Zealand and to Moutoa. Mr Galland said he had been asked by a lady present that night to present a gold ring to Pte. Scadden and Pte. Morgan, and a fountain pen to Pte. Lineham. It gave him great pleasure to do so, and it also spoke well for the happy recipients and their popularity. Pte. Scadden suitably responded on behalf of himself and his comrades, and thanked all for their gifts and the happy evening they had spent, and assured his audience that he and his comrades Avould always remember Moutoa and Marotiri and the friends they had left behind. A public welcome Avas also extended to Pte. Vaughan (present), and Ptes. Smith and Christian, Avho unfortunately are under medical orders, and were unable to be present. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought a very happy evening to a close.