WELCOME HOME.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 6 October 1919, Page 3

WELCOME HOME.

BIG SOCIAL AT OTAKI. What will'probably be the last social gathering at .Otaki to welcome home returned soldiers was held at Brights' Theatre on Friday night last, under the auspices of the Otaki Patriotic Society. Since the last gathering of the kind some eighteen or nineteen Otaki soldiers have returned, but,.owing to various reasons, many of these were unable to be present. The gathering was a most successful and enjoyable one, the i attendance being very large—the larg- : est at any of the local soldiers’ welI comes. A large banner, erected on the platform, bearing a hearty welcome from soldiers of the Otaki Returned Soldiers’ Association, attracted much attention, and the thoughtfulness that prompted tho placard was most commendable. The banner boro a drawing of the R.S.A. soldiers’ badge, and tho following wording:—“Welcome home! Otaki R.S.A. Nau Mai! Your comrades welcome you! ” Dancing was the order, and, thanks to excellent music supplied by Miss L. Rikikana, and a capitally prepared floor, for which the untiring' secretary, Mrs Hodgson, and n lady friend, were responsible (doesn’t this make the male dancers feel ashamed of themselves:), tho big crowd of young people spent a very happy time. Mr Kilmistcr, as usual, kept things going merrily as M.C.

During the evening tljo Rev. G. F. Petrie, M.A. (vice-president of tho 0.P.5.), made a capital address. He read-a telegram apologising for the unavoidable absence of Lieut. J. J. Davison, who had expected to be present that evening. Mr Petrie said that he thought tho Society’s work of welcoming home returned soldiers had now come to an end, and it gave him the utmost pleasure to perform the last duty of according the returned boys a hearty welcome back to Otaki. Tho men they honoured that night, as with previous batches of returned boys, had done their duty nobly' and well. Sorno had been away for three or four years, and all had fought a good fight, and played tho game. They had .acted as British gentlemen, and upheld the honour of New Zealand and the Empire. We were proud of them, arid wished to thank them most heartily for all they had done for us. In welcoming them home again, Mr Petrie said he sincerely trusted that tho people would do all in their power to help the returned lads, and make their lot as happy ns possible. The speaker said it was left -to us to erect a fitting memorial to the boys who had paid the supreme sacrifice. Otaki had already lagged too much in this matter, and he hoped that there would be no further delay, but that the people would set themselves to erect a memorial worthy of tho occasion. If they only gave financial assistance iu anything like proportion to the sacrifices made by the soldiers, we would indeed have a noblo soldiers’ memorial in Otaki.

Hearty cheers were then given to the assembled returned men, with musical honours.

Captain P. Tahiwi returned thanks on behalf of the soldiers. The men had only done their duty, and did not look for praise. Howover, they wore glad to bo back again, nnd much appreciated the hearty manner in which they had been entertained and welcomed. Captain Tahiwi also referred to tho good work done by tire Otaki Patriotic Society in forwarding parcels to the men, and in other ways, and said these little acts of kindness were fully appreciated by the soldiers, especially when in the front, line. The speaker expressed hearty approval of the proposal to erect a memorial to fallen soldiers, and commended the scheme to the public for support. He stated that tho Maoris had already collected a sum of £SOOO for a memorial to Maori soldiers.

A nice supper was handed round, and much appreciated, after which dancing was continued with renewed vigour.

Special thanks are due to Mrs Hodgson (the indefatigable secretarv <sf the social committee) for the excellent arrangements for the evening, and to tho ladies who so ably assisted with the supper, etc.