Port Albert.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, Volume 1, Issue 22, 23 August 1901, Page 3

Port Albert.

•''; A vei-y pleasant .evening "was s-peni in the Temperance HalJ o» August--Ift: ■to welconj.;' home Messrs E. Gubb anc G, Kollev fi'om South Africa, Mr-. Q. B» Jleid.took-the ,ch"ir.a»d in a fot fwejl-cliosejj words welcomed- the: boye bapk to the phice of their boy-hood. A varied entertainment wa sib en gone through; Miss Dudding, Mr. E, A. Eeid and 1), Becroft contributed songs, Messrs 3Re|d a»d. Jijdd yeftdin^s and -recitations, while Mr. G. Nicholson j (cello), Ivan litten,. Lew. Armitage, A. Webster (violins), and Miss Linda Beeroft. (piano), rendered select-cj 1 pieces .of instrumental music.

At.9,30 p,m, ..an. adjournment foi supper was made ,• syhere a plentiful supply of good things'were waiting to be partaken o£

After justice-had been shown, to the, refreshments, the health of the returned troopers was proposed by Mr. jL. P, Beeroft, who was pleased to find they hid returned home as strong-, (■physirally) as they had set out., and; no doxibt with minds stored with in- j formation that .will be a source" of j ilielp and pleasure to.them for the; rest of tlieir lives. Messrs Of. Kollei and E Gubb responded. The'"former, lin his romarks, said too- much had ibeen made of what New . Zealander? had done at the seat of ■war: They had only performed their du'y af. thousands of others-had done. Mr. T. A. Grubb also spoke, deprecating th> horroiis of warfare, -though in thiscase the Buers had been the aggressors, justifying England's attitude in ;what she has done.

At the conclusion of the general reception, the large hall was cleared for dancing and-about 30 couples enjoyed a few hours pleasure, in 'which oiu soldier boys heartily joinedj declaring that campaigning life had not lessened the instinct for social life. MessrsNicholson, E, A. Eeid and "Webstei supplied good music, and Mr. Lew. Armitage made an efficient M.C.

' .Both rooms were nicely ded.ratecj, for the occasion, Mrs H. Litten being foremost in her floral design of-"Wel-come" at the back of the phtform.

(Own Correspondent.)