WHANGARATA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 287, 26 June 1917, Page 3

WHANGARATA.

PTE EVVING FAREWEIJiED A farewell concert was tendered to Private Ronald Ewiug, who was on final leave, by the residents of Whangarata oa Friday evening last, Mr P. J. Cooney, presiding. The School was packed, giving testim >ny to the esteem in which the young soldier is held in tin district.

Before commencing the programme the Chairman moved a vo :e of sympathy and condolence with the parents and relatives of Private Norman Sineed, who was killed in action, word of his death having been received during the week. The audience carried the resolution by rising and standing in respectful Bilence.

The following contributed to a well arranged musical programme viz : Overture, Miss Eileen Kerrigan ; songs by Mesdames F. Laing and Taylor, the Misses Mayall and Ewing, the Rev. Butterwoith, Messrs Rapson, Quinlan, Etheridge, Whiteside and Master J. Rogers ; piano forte duet, Misses Mayall and Dickens; recitations, Messrs Deeble and G. Donell.

During the interval the Chairman, in a few introductory remarks, eulogised the manly qualities of their guest of the evening and calle 1 on the President of the Whangarata Branch of the Farmers' Union (Mr J. Fulton) to make the presentation. Mr Fulton, in a neat and appropiate spe-ch, traced the career of Pte, Ewing from his earliest boyhood, speaking of his fine, manly, straightforward qualities and the sense of duty which actuated him to offer his services to his King and Empire in the cause of liberty and justice. He then presented him with a wristlet watch with luminous hands and asked him to accept it, not for its intrinsic value, but as a token of esteem and r.-spect from the many frienls he was leaving in Whangarata and as a reminder that they would watch with interest his future career, trusting he would roturn safely to his relatives and friends.

Mr Rapson, the school-teacher, and the Rev. Butterworth also spoke in the highest terms of tho sterling qualities of the recipient. Private Ewing, on rising to thank the residents for the present, was loudly cheered In a few and wellchosen remarks he said he hoped to accomplish by deeds rather than by words something tha 1 ; would be worthy of the many kind remarks and good wishoi addressed to hiiu that evening.

Three hearty cheers were then given for the parents The concert concluled with the -inging of " God Savo the King." The Ladies' Committee provided all present with some choice refreshments, and altogether a very plea-.-ant evening was spent.