Wristlet Watches for Puke kohe Soldiers.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 170, 2 May 1916, Page 2

Wristlet Watches for Puke kohe Soldiers.

TO THE EDITOR."

Sir, —I understand that a committee lias boen formed in Pukokohe, of which our late Mayor is chairmau, for tho purpose of presenting wristlet watches to our brave boys of this town who are gladly going forth to do their bit in this great war and to light and give their lives for the freedom of our Empire. On Friday evening la«t, '2Bth inst, tho leading members of this committee, during the interval in the picture programme at tho Premier Hall, called to tho stago all soldiers present in uniform to receive their presentatijn. There then resulted a repetition of tho " loaves and fishes " which did not come to such a successful issue, four watches and live soldiers, which resulted in one soldier being ignored. As it happened, this soldier was born in Pukekohe and has lived hero all his life, while three of the others were practically strangers. When tho chairman knew that ho had only four watches why didn't he call the four soldiers to the stage whom the watches wero intendel for and not make so little of the fifth '? I am certain that the fifth soldior did not wish to be called on the stage for exhibition, for when a man puts on uniform he is a soldier, not a Christmas-tree, and likes to bo treated as such. EIo was a keen sportsman and recoivod a presentation from tho local Gun Club, bit if that was tho cause of tho above committee ignoring him before such a largo audience as was present on Friday eveuing, it says very little for thorn.—l am, etc., L.-CORPL MATTHEW EDGAR, Returned Troope. P.S.—Now is your opportunity, people of Pukekohe, to show your appreciation of what your young manhood are sacrificing for you. Surely something can be given to this young man to show that you are proud of him ! [ For tho purpose of securing an explanation of the apparent oversight alluded to by our correspondent wo have referred his letter to Messrs C. K Lawrie and J. Coady, chairman and secretary respectively of the Military Farewell Committee, who state that the object of the Committee with which they aro connected is to see that all representatives -;f tho district rocoive a farewell prior to their departuro for the camp or active service, tho presentation of a watch or other trophy being a secondary consideration. In the particular instance referred to by our correspondent, the military representative was given a farewell by the Pukekohe Gun Club and was also made a presentation, the same practically covering the objects of the Town Committee. Other similar cases have occurred and the Committee have not deemed it necessary to arrange duplicate functions. In explanation of the presence on the stage on Friday evening of the soldier in question Messrs Lawrie and Coady say that he and others on final leave wero asked to attend but were givea to understand that they would not be the subjects of further presentations.—Editou. ]