SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED

Southland Times, Issue 24831, 25 August 1942, Page 2

SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED

WAIKAKA VALLEY— There was a large attendance at a social evening held at Walkaka Valley in honour of Private J. H. Smith. A numbet of Kaiwera residents were also present. Mr A. G. Whitefield was chairman. During the evening a presentation was made by Mr A. L. McDowell. Mr McDowell also made a presentation to Private Smith on behalf of the residents or Kaiwera. Messrs S. White, J. White, D. Donald, R. McLennan and A. G. Whitefield also spoke. MATAURA.— At a social and dance conducted by the Mataura Kilties at Mataura, presentations to four soldiers on leave. Sergeant F. Armitage. Privates S. Shanks, D. Eggleton and M. •Barclay, were made by the Mayor. Mr C. D. McConnell. Mr C. C. Henry, president of the Mataura R.S.A., spoke on behalf of his association. LONGBUSH— The residents of Longbush met in the school to honour Private Robert Browning, the third member of the family to go on active service. Mr G. GrantUssher presented the guest with a wallet containing notes and several visiting soldiers were given cigarettes. Mrs Sellars, president of the local Women’s Institute, also made a small presentation from the institute. Other speakers were Mr Nelson Hughes, Mr A. Stimpson and Mr S. T. Evans. Prizes were won for euchre by Mrs S. Mclntyre and Mr G. Browning. OTAUTAU.— Private T. Smellie, Sapper A. Coster and Gunner J. Crawford were tendered a farewell social and dance in the Otautau Town Hall. The guests, accompanied by Driver W. B. McElligott and Private Colin B. Hope, who were on furlough, and nine visitors from camp were piped on to the stage by Piper Taylor, and were welcomed by the chairman of the patriotic committee. Mr W. J. Wesney. The Rev. W. L. S. Harbour spoke on behalf of the citizens and Mr J. D. Clouston for the local members of the R.S.A. In making a presentation to the guests Mr A. A. Liddell, chairman of the Town Board, wished them God-sped and a safe return. Miss Begg, president of the W.D.F.U., also asked them to accept small gifts on behalf of the members and made a presentation to Sapper Coster on behalf of the Scotts Gap branch. The visitors were the recipients of cigarettes. Items were given by Misses M. Gutschlag and E. Jellyman and Mr A. S. Henderson. DIPTON.— A concert organized by the young farmers and basketball clubs was held in conjunction with a farewell for two soldiers on leave. At the conclusion of the concert Mr Bruce Sinclair presented Mrs Mayer, organizer of the concert, with a framed picture as a token of appreciation from the young fanners. Mr R. Campbell was chairman of the function in honour of Gunner Murray Wilson and Lance-Corporal Allan Hayward. Mr Campbell said that Dipton had bidden farewell to 24 soldiers, all of whom had survived. He wished the guests of the evening success and a safe and speedy return. Mr G. Goble, on behalf of the residents, presented Lance-Corporal Hayward with a money-belt and contents and the Rev. I. R. Polson asked Gunner Wilson to accept a similar gift from the residents. GROVE BUSH.— Private R. Finlay and Private J. Finlay were bidden farewell in the Grove Bush Hall by district friends and relations. Mr A. Boniface presented each man with a wallet and expressed the good wishes of the people of the district. Messrs A. O. Fleming and Ivan Ewan also wished the men good luck. WALLACETOWN.— Private L. Gray was bidden farewell by the people of Wallacetown. A gift of a writing wallet from the Wallacetown Church was handed to Private Gray by the Rev. J. W. Olliver and a presentation subscribed to by the people of Wallacetown was made by Mr J. S. Jenkins.

LIMEHILLS.—A large crowd was present in the Limehills Hall at a function in honour of Driver Gordon Stewart. Many soldiers from other districts were present. The evening was spent in dancing and songs were contributed by Mr W. Forde. Mr T. A. Morgan, chairman, spoke and made a presentation on behalf of the people of the district. Messrs R. H. Hamilton and J. W. Payne also spoke and wished Driver Stewart the best of luck. Mrs W. J. McNaught presented Driver Stewart with a parcel of knitted goods from the women’s patriotic committee and presented the visiting soldiers with cigarettes.