A RECCED SEND-OFF

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 280, 24 August 1915, Page 4

A RECCED SEND-OFF

VOLUNTEERS HONOUESD AND FAEEWELLED.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING

I At the Taihape Town Hall last night, a most successful social \nCi dance was tendered to The me:i of the Sth Reinforcements prior to departure for the front. The building was crowded .and the stage had been very effectively furnished with easy chairs and lounges. The Taihape Brass Bund opened the proceedings with the playing of the National Anthem. This was followed by a speech from the ActingMayor (Or. IT. D. Bennett).

I Mr. Bennett said he was on the stage j in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor (Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith). He wished, first of all, to thank, on behalf ©f the community, the Patriotic Committee for their foresought in organising sue! a function. Many thought they should not hold such functions, but by tli-.-number present he might say they were all.' in favour of such farewells. I' was not for him to survey the position right through, as they were doing it day by "day. They were now in th< middle of the greatest war they had ever experienced. This was a time for action. There was only one thing to do in- this war and that was to win. New Zealand was den;; her part and doing it well. By forming a National Government they were doing their best to combine the whole of their forces, and it was one of the happiest events in the history of New Zealand. It was not necessarily a fight of men to men, but a fijjht of resources, of money and material. Material was one of the most vital points. The country was going on as it was before the war; in fact, New Zealand was in a better position than ever, but they needed to produce the material all the time. To the boys themselves, he wished to express his appreciation of their determination to go and help their brothers at the front. Many fond parents were preventing their eager boys from go,ing to the front, but the patriotism of the men of New Zealand would prove too strong and they would go. Winn all the unmarried ones had gone to the front, there were married ones who would respond, and there 'njere even more still. He would not exhort the boys to do their best, for they knew they would do the>r best. The senti-" ments he had expressed were not alone his but he spoke on behalf of everyone. He was pleased to say there was no indication that the Bi-ttish Empire was not sound. They were gathered that night to give these young fellows a fond farewell and '.' God-speed" and he felt sure that these boys, as well as others throughout the country, would prove of equal calibre to those who had gone before. (Loud Applukse).

Mr. Stent said he felt too full of sentiment that night to make a speech. The young fellow-s Yi>re amongst those for whom they continually offered prayers. Although he had not gone to the front, he would do his best here as far as he could, but he might yet go. They could daily offer up prayers for the safe return of their boys from the front. He wished the boys " Godspeed " and a safe return. Mr. Catherwood said -ne spoke to them as men whom he knew to be soldiers. It was good to be British and good to be Colonials. The landing at the Dardanelles would go down in history; what would they feel/ like when people said: "Where were you when these great things were being done?'' He wanted to say that they had every confidence in their boys. He wished 1 them God-speed.

The Chairman (Mr. A. James), representing the Patriotic Society, said' they had decided to invite the men of the Bth Reinforcements to meet to- ' gether that night before they left for | the front. In fairness to the men. liewould like to say that it was owing t" military diseiplHne that thev had' not! been able to give a similar, farewell to those who had already gone. This ivas the first batch of men that had' gonesince the restriction had been removed'. He had received a telegram from the Mayor (Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith) which read as follows: —"Kindly convey to men from Taihape and district for Bth | Eeinforcemnts my best wishes for sue- [ cessful campaign. May they return to us safe and sound. That they will jp- | hold the highest traditions associated" with British arms goes without saying, j Greatly regret my inability to be ore- j

sent to-night to wish them 'God-speed.' —Arrowsmith, Mayor." He had aliso received the following Letter from Mr. E. YT. Smith, M.P.:— "Please accept my heartiest thanks for land invitation to your social ajd dance. I regret, however, that, much as I should like to be with you on Monday evening, circumstances render it impossible. May I ask you to convey to the guests of the evening my heartiest congratulations, coupled witb very best wishes for an early an<3 safe .return. Pk ase tell them, too, that T shall be 'delighted, if, duTing. theirstay; ; at Trontham, any or all of tliera' ct-n 1' find, time to look n»e up at the Hou?e. —B. W. Smith." Th« following loiter of oppfpj%tfaTj

| from Mr. L. T. Waielin, of Hnnter- | villc. wa-s n'leo received by the Chahj man and read to the meeting:—"l rei gret that I am unable to accept ths inj vitation to the social and dance t&- | night. I sincerely thank you for e% I tending an invitation to ;:n outsidtm I May I say T an: rf the opinion you art- ; working on the righf lines in farwelling the members of the reinforcement drafts, and hope you will continue dome; so, as nothing heartens a man up like a really hearty send-off in which he is one of the ehietf figures. Thanking you again, yours sincerely, L. T. \Yak<?vin. T '

The Chairman, continuing, said that, <>n behalf of the Patriots Committee, he had to than:-: all those who had helped in- the function. He would especially Tike to thank the caterers of Taihape (Messrs. Butch-trf, Denness.

Milne, ami Stanley), who foad given Hie supper gratuitously. awd' also Mr. Nmnis, who was giving file bovs breakfast at the railway station in the morning, also gratuitously. The Taihape: Brass Sana had greatly helped tliom, and he also wished 'to- thank Mrs. Peyton, who acted as- aeeompanf&te' to the several musical items of the- evening. On behalf of the- Patriotic Committee he wished the boys God-speed,'' awd if they returned" safely with colours flying, their reception would be immense. He called for threecheers for their boys, which were very heartily given.

Mr. Wallace- responded on behalf of the men, and fn the course of his- remarks said the boys who had already gone to the front had not been awareof what they had to face, but" theseyoung' fellows did know what they would have- to make, and yet tlieywere nobly following the example „ of* the men who were now at the fightingline. He- was very glad that these-' young- fellow* were following tbenoble example s<?t them. There were many parents in Taihape who had boys; at the front, but they could rest assured that eaeli one would do his duty to his King and country.

During the evening dancing was indulged in f'rem time to time, .and .vocal'

and instrumental items were interspersed. The Committee desire to tender their beat thanks to the Band for assisting so materially, and also the ladies and gentlemen who kindly contributed vocal items. The Committee also desire to thank the aecompaniste for the evening (Mrs. Peyton) and the ladies and gentlemen who kindly played' extras for the dances. The caterers of Taihape (Messrs. Butehart. Denness, Milne, and Shanley) are deserving of the greatest praise for providing such a bountiful supper gratuitously, and also Messrs. McLaughlan. Bros, and- Mr. McDuff for providing all the necessary crockery. Altogether the function was a huge success, smith e thanks of all are due to thanks of the: community are due- to the Patriotic Committee, especially Messrs. A. James and H. J. Murrelt (the secretary) for the great deal of work and trouble they went to in organising the function, which culminated in one of the most enjoyable and? successful social evenings yet recorded in Taihape.