HALCOMBE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11652, 22 August 1916, Page 6

HALCOMBE.

From Onr Own Correspondent.: Since my last the mortal remains of two old settlers of this place have been laid to rest in tho local cemetery and both on the same sad day; Both Mr J. Quarrie, of whom you have published an obituary notice, and Mrs Krugher, sen., had long passed the three score mark. The ranks of old, brave and ■ worthy pioneer residents of this district are being rapidly depleted. We accept the inevitable while,we pay a sincere tribute to. their memory.

| The- revival of our once very popular euchre tournaments has helped to rouse us from that inert winter hibernation which is usually such a. depressing feature of the social life of small communities. The successful competitors Were Misses Hansen and Adam ani Messrs Stratford and Stewart. It is tie intention of the managers—to whom onr thanks are due-to hold these meetings every Friday until further notice. The net proceeds from these enjoyable competitions will he devoted to the school fund.

Our young footballers played a friendly match with the Tokorangi i school boys, and succeeded in winning a well-contested game by eleven points to six. Mr Hughes, areturned Auzac, as referee showed that he was familiar with the movements of other than .303 balls. So far this month has fully sustained its reputation for “lota of wet.” Much more water is now visible laud than h«s been apparent here for twelve mouths, while the cow promenades have become super-sloppy. Cream convejora are now' picking up the butter fat from home separators, and the milking season here will soon bo general. Onr largest milk-grower has lately added 43 young Jersey “springers” to bis herd. The prospects of excellent returns for the war period and after are exceedingly bright. I gather from t]ie Wanganui Education Board's annual report that forty-five of its male teachers have either gone to the front or are in training for the work. This sirves to explain the shortage of teachers, and it should act as a stimulus to the old school hoys to join in the "scrum and play "the game with these patriotic pedagogues. The “send oil” of Sergt. F. W. Huggins on Friday night was most '■ successful, though the weather —as one of the speakers observed —"was not fit for n dog to be out in.” There was, nevertheless, a large gathering in the Foresters’ Hall to take part in the proceedings and to do honour to the guest who belongs to the 17ths, and is on final leave. Thanks to Mr Osborne, the programme was ample and attractive, and the contributors met with a flattering reception. Songs were rendered by Mesdames -Wishnowsky and Saywell, Miss Perrin, and Messrs Hoult, L. A. McDonald and F. W. Huggins. The latter being in “fine voice” his contributions were flatteringly received. There were three singers who appeared on our concert platform for the first time, and I only echo the wish of all present that it will not be their last appearance. These contributors were Mrs Saywell, who not only sang well, but who also received a pronounced recall. Miss Perrin, of our teaching staff, surprised and charmed the audience by her artistic rendition of well-selected songs, and this young lady graciously responded to the insistent calls for more. Mr Hoult, of our railway staff, proved himself to be another “surprise party.” He is the possessor of a tuneful voice, which is worthy of fuither cultivation. Mr L. A. McDonald, our astronomical friend, introduced some star items which brought down the house as usual. Pleasurable instrumental solos were contributed by Miss L. Eicfaler (piano) and Mr A. O. Smith (cornet). The accomplished accompanists of the evening were Mrs Oscar Osborne and Mrs T. Jordan. The speakers were the!Cliairman and Messrs L. Pleasants, P. Eichler and “our guest,” to whom Mr Eichler, on behalf of the people of Halcombe, presented a complete and compact shaving outfit, which is to be suitably inscribed. Apart from this present Mr Huggins was the recipient of many sincere and deseived compliments, the keynote of which was that he was known to all as a man and a gentleman, who, from the outbreak of the war had made persistent attempts to get to the front and do his bit. A trip to the Old Country and back to the Dominion preceded his final acceptance for th° work. In reply Mr Huggins disclaimed any right to special commendation. He bad only dene what he considered his duty. He hoped soon to get to the front and help the splendid hoys who long ago had left Halcombe and district to face and flatten out onr foes. Every shave would recall that night and remind him of their kindness to him. During the evening our band played a number of patriotic selections and they were cordially thanked by the chairman and andience for their ever willing and much appreciated services. Halcombe would indeed have teen deader than a dead dog throughout the past winter had it not been tor inspiriting music of the band. The marked success of this, the last of our aeries of send-offs, is largely cine to the ladies who provided the refreshments, to the secretary and treasurer of the committee, Mr Feaney, and to that loyal and patriotic worker Mr Fanl Eichler. Commenting upon the various features of this titanic, struggle the chairman was again very emphatic and pronounced when dealing with the-shirker whose children, he said, “would rise up and curse him.” His language, howeveis was milk mild when compared with that recently uttered by Premier Hughes, who declared that there would be a worse hell on * earth for those wasters than man or woman have yet suffered. J Mr W. Cuff writes me from Egypt lamenting his inability to get to, the West front and there help to do something that would be worth writing home about. “Desert marches, heat and rifles without a ‘scrap’ to relieve the monotony fills a fellow full op.” Since writing this, Willie will have had a glori ous “go” at the Turks. Egypt has to be held, and Willie Guff is just that stamp of boy required for the job. - From Mr Bob Fearon I have received two interesting postcards. One shows a little kiddie in a khaki tunic, the belt of which envelopes his little fat feet. Beneath the picture are tbeau words, “Brings the war home to you, does’nt it, ali us military chaps about.” Tho writer says, M r«t siill out of the trenches

and enjoying an Irishman’s rest. Things are more than pretty good. I expect we shall get into some lively mixups soon and our boys are good enough for anything that may happen.”,. Another card from our boy Bob tells me, “I'm just out of the trenches for a spell after (censored)days of it. It’s not very enjoyable work, but I’ve come out of it with nothing worse than a cold. I cannot tell you of our doings in this country (France) the censor will not permit. Q,n the very day I came out of the trenches 1 received a whole bundle of papers and letters from you, just the very stuff to keep a chap going. I met young Wishuowsky in the trenches, the only one of theHalcombe boys I’ve come across so far. He is tit and well. If I come out of the next brush O. IT. yonll get more stuff than this from me.” Send it along, Bob, it’s just the very stuff to keep a chap going. ” Mr Alf. A. Pnrkiss was with us last week. He went into camp yesterday (Monday). May good luck go with him. m