FAREWELL TO TROOPERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 88, 13 August 1915, Page 3

FAREWELL TO TROOPERS.

ecmont club function. The members of the Egmont Club hist night tendered a farewell social to the men of the Eighth Reinforcements who go into camp at Trenthaiu on August 23. About two hundred were present at the function, several being in uniform. Mr J. McMahon presided. Among those present were His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. W. Boon), Mr J. B. Hine (member for the district), Mr W. Hathaway (chairman Stratford County Council), Mr Coo. Sangster (President Scottish. Society). Borough Councillors, County Councillors, Ministers of Religion, and the President and Committee of the South Taranaki Club. Apologies for the tinavoidable absence of Messrs H. Worthington, A. E. Copping and A. W. Budge were read. The arrangements were in the hands of an able committee, and the function was voted on all sides a pleasant and enjoyable one. The Territorials, Home Defence, and other units fell in at the school at t .30 and marched to the Chib, headed by the school drum and fife band, under Conductor O’Leary and Lieutenant Buchler. The boys played selections from 7.45 till 8 o’clock on the balcony of His Majesty’s Theatre, and were afterwards the guests of Mr Foley at the picture entertainment. During the evening many musical and instrumental items were rendered hy talented artists. ’The Hawera quartette who sang to the patients at the Hospital before going to the social—gave many stirring songs and were encored time after time. Their rendering of “Comrades in Arms” was voted t" be the best item on the programme, and at the conclusion the audience gave them three cheers and sang “For they are Jolly Good Fellows.” MiMartin’s humorous songs kept the'audience in convulsions of laughter and he had to give six items belore he was allowed to depart. Mr Fred Foley was introduced as “Of the picture fame, but he showed that he know as much of conjuring as if pictures. His card tricks and other items were greatly enjoyed. Items were also contributed by the Club Orchestra, Mr C. E. Smith (song), Lieutenant W. V. Wilson (song), Mr A. Stanley Davis (comic song), Mr J. Hale (song), Mr Ran ford (recitation), and Mr Rodgers (violin solo).

The President of the Club, in opening the function, said he was pleased to see so' many present. They were there that evening to bid farewell to the young men who were going to the war, and he hoped they would carry away the good wishes of all. Everybody knew very well the circumstances of the war and the British Nation was now in death grips with another Power. The conflict must he fought hard and bitterly. Within a few mouths of the declaration of war Britain had completely swept all the enemy ships off the seas, and she is now mistress of tine waves. Germany knows that to he in a position to dictate peace in favour of herself she must he master of the seas, but this she could never do ,-while Britain is a nation. (Cheers). No doubt Germany sought to compiler Belgium and Fralico, and then settle do\v.u. for a number of years while recuperating. v When she wag. strong enough she would then endeavour to take England. England had captured several minor countries years ago, and they had co-operated lit lighting Germany and her Allies. In conclusion, ■Mr McMahon extended a hearty welcome to all present and particularly those men going to the front. (Cheers).

The M tyor, Mr J. )V. Boon, said ho it'll it a great honor to be present. In bidding the men bood-bye he said lie wpuld I ike; to see all the men return from the front speedily and \ safe. Within, a few weeks of the declaration of war New Zealand took the German wireless station at Samoa. That was not a picnic as some people called it, for the men were despatched hurriedly, and without all the things necessary, for such an undertaking. The Australians, were no less active than the New Zealanders, for they took the wireless station at New Guinea. Ir the .German wireless stations had been in the' hands of the enemy and she had cruisers on the seas Australasia’s commerce, would have “fallen to pieces.” It was a difficult task ; clearing the seas, and Germany thought that England could not accomplish this, but of course she was mistaken. South Africa was also doing its-part in 'the war in capturing German South-West Africa; and men who were a few years ago our enemies were now fighting side by side with the British troops. When our “boys” left Nevvj Zealand they thought they were going to Flanders, or “somewhere in France,” but Egypt was their destination. Shortly after arriving in Itlgypt war was declared against Turkey. Now the forces at Gallipoli were doing their hit to force the Dardanelles. It would be a long task, but he was confident victory was assured. Mr Boon said he .was pleased to see so many of the young men present who were going to take part in the breaking through of the Dardanelles. The men had cheerfully thrown up their ambitions —all had ambitious —and all they bad, to light for fellow countrymen and Empire. The speaker, in terminating his speech, said that it was the duty of those who could not go to tend and help the boys when they eanie back. The newspapers were publishing articles saying there were no men coming forward, but there were men whose names have been on the register for three or four months, and these were gradually being sent into camp. When these names were depleted he was snr.e there would be plenty more young men to come forward and enlist. (Cheers). “For they are Jolly Good Fellows” was heartily sung by the company. Mr Geo. Sangster, on behalf of the Scottish Society, gave a short speech, and in concluding wished the men a hearty good-bye and God-speed. (Cheers).

Mr J. B. Hine, member for the district, in a short speech, said he had come to bid farewell to the men who were going away to fight their county's battles. The people of the Empire would have to mobilise, the boys could not do without food and clothing, and it was tjur duty to see that they do not want lor anything. .Na poleon spoke very truly when he said:’ “The men cannot fight 111111 empty j stomachs.” The call would come to us' all sooner or later, and we would all j have to go, and fight as Mr Asquith said, to the “last shilling.” H wo could not all go and tight we should look after those that are left behind and do it well. He hoped that when the men returned a hand of friendship would be extended and people would say “well done.” Mr Hine said that lie bad seen a letter from one boy.' in which be said they were fighting in trenches 30 or 40ft. apart, and were continually throwing hand grenades, j and their losses were heavy. The men. he saw who returned invalided homej from the front were most anxious to, get back, and one boy had left this, week to go into camp. Critics in New Zealand say that, England was doing the wron gthing at the Dardanelles, but they must remember that the Allies at Gallipoli are holding up about 750,000 Turks. “Lord Kitchener knows more than the people of New Zealand what he is doing.” (Cheers). Mr Hine wished the hoys going to the front good luck and hoped they would see service. If they did not, they had done the next best thing by giving up their ambitions for the benefit of their country. The best thing a man could do was to offer to give up his life for his Country, his King, and his God. —(Cheers). Mr W. Hathaway, Chairman of the ■Stratford County Council, spoke on behalf of the County, and wished the men a hearty farewell. The speaker said that the Union Jack stood for liberty, and England had always fought for the freedom of the whole world. A hoy at the front who had written to him stated that the late Lieutenant-Colonel Malone must have had a ‘charmed life,” for on many occasions he exposed himself to shot and shell and always came out uninjured. Alas, their Colonel had now given his life for his country. Sergeant-Major J. Voyle, replying on behalf of the members of the Eighth Reinforcements, thanked the Egmont Club for the pleasant evening they had spent. He s*aid lie received a

great shock when he learnt of the death of Lieut-Col. Malone,' and he paid a fine tribute to the memory of the late C.O. of the Wellington Battalion.

The social terminated at. midnight with cheers for the departing soldiers, and the singing of the National Anthem, and “Aukl Lang Syne)”