CHILDREN OF RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3578, 21 December 1926, Page 2

CHILDREN OF RETURNED SOLDIERS.

ALIKE MERRY AT THE TOWN HALL. The interior of (he Town Hall on Saturday afternoon presented a joyful and animated scene when the children of local Returned Soldiers to the number of 150, together with their mothers, were entertained by the local Returned Soldiers’ committee. Each child received an invitation on a neat card, per post, inviting the recipient to meet Father Christmas and to bring mother, too. How proud and delighted they were to escort mother. Within the hall the youngsters reigned supreme. Their heads were crowned with fancy paper caps, and under the supervision of the elders, they played at “Nuts and Afay” and other jolly games. Then the ten—how they enjoyed the feast and the sweets. Then the curtain on the stage was drawn aside, displaying a huge fire place, all aglow with coloured lights. Every youngster was alert when the call went forth “Where are you, Father Christmas?” Then a voice was heard from somewhere up above, informing the children that lie was coming but lliat his bundle was stuck in the chimney. Then down the chimney lie came, loaded with toys, to the great delight of the little ones. He knew them all by name and each one received a toy. Their joy was now overflowing, but still there was something more for them —the picture show. The children will long remember the happy gathering and all we can say is “hats oil’ to the Returned men” for providing such a splendid time for the chlidren and a happy re-union for the mothers.