DRURY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 226, 14 November 1916, Page 3

DRURY

SOLDIERS FABEWELLED.

Last Thursday night, despite the inclemency of the weather, a large number of residents met in the Drury Hall to bid farewell to several " boys " who were on final leave. The function was presided over by Mr Joseph Flanagan, who after the singing of the National Anthem made a brief speech. The musical part of the funetion was in the capable hands of Mrs Lodge and Miss McPherson, and too much praise cannot be given those ladies for the help they contributed to the success of the gathering.

The guests of the evening were Privates Eailton By croft, Cecil Kearns, Fred Grant and Henry Wall. Mr W. Glasson was entrusted with the toast of " Out Boys at the Front and the Boys Going to the Front," and in a neat and earnest manner he did justice to the toast.— In response, at the invitation of the chairman, Mr G Bycroft, father of one of the guests, who is his second son going to the front, spoke reminiscently of the war in New Zealand when he was very young, and touched on many aspects of the present terrific struggle.—Mr H. Wall also suitably replied. Mr Fyfe was entrusted with the toast of "Our Allies" after which supper was served, and all was merry in the hall. Dancing formed the latter portion of the function, and was enjoyed by the younger members of the audience.

Special mention should be made of the genial yet strict supervision of the chairman, of the voluntary services of Mrs Lodge as musician and Miss McPherson, of Auckland, as vocalist, of Mr John Quinn, who held the arduous but unseen duty of supplying the cup that cheers, and of Mr W. Tooman, who as secretary spared no trouble to make the affair the success it was.