FAREWELL TO SOLDIERS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 268, 6 December 1939, Page 3

FAREWELL TO SOLDIERS

CAPTAIN C. D. BROWN A QUEST ENJOYA BLE EVENING A farewell tu volunteers .who have just fffflio into Inm \i was tendered by the Opotiki R.S.A., Orphans’ Club a mil the* Opotiki Golf Club in the iMa.sonic Hull on Friday night. Mr. E. J. Baigent., president of the R.'S.A. presi<led over a good utteiutanee. After the singing of the National .Anthem, Mr. AleDougall’s orchestra entertained the company. The toast to the Red -Crass was proposed hy Mr. G. .13. Murray, and Air. J. T. Talih responded. Community singing was led by Air. Alli'Dongall. A vocal solo by Mr; H. Roland received an enthusiastic reception. Mr. I']. A. Bunkall proposed the toast to the guests e-f honour, stating that special piention should he made of Captain Brown who had taken a considerable part, in the Great War where he received military recognition, returning to train young men. Opotiki was proud el Captain Grown, apart from the fact that he was the first ot the returned men to go. The two -professional men who had volunteered were perhaps making a greater .sacrifice than most others. Alt'. Bunkall wished till a .sale return. In. response. Captain Grown thanked Mr. Bunkall for his remarks and thanked the residents ol Opotiki lor tho pleasant V years spent in this town. He looked forward to returning and renewing friendships alter finishing off the job that they did not complete last time. Mr. Grown said that he had. experienced warfare, and he hoped his experience would he tho means of saving lives. Alter issuing an invitation to his friends to visit him at camp. Air. Grown told an amusing store concerning another volunteer, Mr. R. Smith, who was also leaving lor camp. In. reply te-lhe (luestum on the form relating to the volunteer’s experience with horses, Air. Smith had lilfed in the words: “I’nlortunate and painful.”

'1 no other volunteers, Messrs. Ray. Smith. 11. ‘GJ. Simpson, D. Hawkin.s, •uki f. \V. San key also briefly responded. Mr. Maui Delamere "as unavoidably absent. The toast to the Vigilance Committee was proposer! by Mr. .) I). dark and responded to by Mr. L. I)a\ies. Further orchestral items were iollowed by a humorous recitation by Mr. S. Maxwell in which lie traced the meteoric rise oi Captain Brown. Mr, Bnigent. i n behalf of the gatherintr. presented each volunteer with a money belt. On behalf of the Opotiki Col! Club, Mr. F. J. Short' made a presentation to Mr. Simpson for his work in the (;„lt (dlul> as captain of the dub during the past season, which duty he carried nut in a very efficient! manner. Mr. Simpson returned his thanks. A very bright evening concluded with the singing of “Auld l.ang Syne.” evening by opotiki r.s.a. A most, pleasant evening was spent > at*the Opotiki 11 Hotel on Monday night last when dipt. C, D. Urown was giv-<-j, a farewell dinner by members of tiie Opotiki Returned Soldiers’ Assocition. The president. Mr. Vi J. Baigent, presided. and in presenting the guest - or the evening with a writing set, congratulated him on his efficient work as secretary of the Opotiki K.S. A. for the past three years. Speakers referred in eulogistic terms to Captain Brown’s enthusiastic work with the Territorial Forces. He had also been an enthusiastic sportsman in every sense of the wordl. Captain Brown, iif "responding, stated that his stay of nine years in Opotiki had been a' pleasant one and that he regretted leaving the district. He hojmd to return and renew old ncquaintnnees when the war was a thing of tin* past. The health of Mrs. Brown and-fam-ily was also honoured and Captain Brown thanked all present for their M, good wishes. * \[ r Cecil Cave was accompanist to several musical items and Quite a number of amusing experiences were reflated by returned “Diggers” during the evening. Mrs. Hendry was accorded a vote of thanks for her kiiulne» a during the evening.

EVENING BY TERRITORIALS ' Ua Saturday nigilt hrombora« of • the Opotiki Territorials and their, partners met at the home of Corporal Bridge to farewell Captain CL ,D. Brown. Despite the very bad weather, , all except two members wore present • 2nd.-Lieut. lbw;kiuson and Gpl. Forbes travelling a ■,'considerable distance to be present. Corpl. Armstrong presented the guest of honour with an initialled silver-mounted cane, from the “boys”, with their best' wishes and esteem. Captain Brown feelingly replied and especially ... mentioned the boys, who, Ijy remaining at the,ir"present jobs of primary productionwould bo doing more for their country than by joining the forces. LcCorpl. Rolf proposed the health of Capt.‘Brown and thanked Mr. and Mrs. Bridge. ■* The singing of Anld.Lang Sync and. the National Anthem brought a very happy ’evening to a' close. 7'