WELCOME HOME.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 September 1919, Page 5

WELCOME HOME.

TO UTIKU AND OHUTU RETURNED SOLDIERS. ' \-'.CC¢‘ = (From Our ‘Ohutu Correspondent.) The fates were not kind as regurls the weather for the above function, which took place last Wednesday on Mr Gilchrist’s ground, Utiku. Heavy rain fell in the morning, vbu‘t the afternoon, like the curate ’s egg, was good in parts, only a. couple of showers falling. Despite these drawbacks, there. was a large gathering of residents of Utiku and Ohutu and surrounding districts to do honour to the soldiers who Went from these districts, ‘and a ‘number of whom were present. The afternoon took the form of sports, and an interesting and varied programme was gone through, the events -being got off quickly, thus -avoiding that dragging that so often mars a sports’ meeting, and much of the credit‘ for this celerity is due to Mr D. Jackson and Mr R. _J. ‘Gibbs. Special events, with special prizes, were included for the returned soldiers. There were large fields, and in most cases close finishcs———a fact that shows that Mr iVI_ Golds-bury, was a good judge of performers "" capabilities. The children were not forgotten, and races were arranged for them. The tug-of-war drew forth five teams, Ohutu eventually Winning. The Ohutu team were Messrs -Goldsbury, Clinton, Johns, F. Jurgens, Torrey, and R. Sullivan, junr. The ladies provided a. plentiful afternoon tea, and they must. be warmly congratulatedon the excellence -of the spread. The various members of the committe~e~. worked hard to make the sportsa success, and with Mr P. G. Lewis, as secretary, were in flefatigable ‘in their effortslto look after the comfort of .those"'- present. The thanks of the committee are due to Mr Gilchrist, not, only for -the use of his grounds, but to both he and Mrs Gilchrist "for their kindness in throwing their‘ll‘ome open -to all——a. thoughtful act that was much appreciated. Folloiving are‘ the results:—— Maiden Race (open) Torrey 'l, W. Geange 2_‘" ‘ - ' » . ~ Maiden '.Rac'c,‘- Returned S0‘l(11er-5.-H. MeA_lister 1, W." G'reange.2_ . 100y’ds' (open).——Bruce.Ghisholm 1, H. McAlister 2. ~ - -..-.. .. _. . 100yds, Returned 'Soldiers.—W.Geange 1, H. McAlister 2.7 Hop, Step and Jump.&—E. Torrey 1, W. Brown 2. ' ‘ V Relay Race.——-Becchey, Shields, Torrev, and R. Gibbs 1. ‘Single Ladies’ R'ace.——Mis-s R_ Hibberdv 1, Miss Gl-iifen 2. Chain Stepping.—-B‘. Becchey 1.

Tug-‘of-War."-—Ohutu Team? 1. A . Thread the Needle Race.——R. Gibbs 1, V 3 . L. Eaton 2.

440yds, Returned . Soldiers.——;Vlac. manemin 1, W. Gea'nge 2.

Married VVomen’s Race.—Mrs Riley 1, Mrs C. Gallagher 2. Putting the Sho‘t_—C. Moore 1. 440yds (open)§———E. Torrey 1, R.Gibbs 2. * 1 ._

High .Tump.————Clinton 1, 81-own 2.

The welcome home was continued in‘ the evening, when a social and dance was held. Thanks to the Utiku Social Club, the decorations from their ball remainiedga plentiful display of green-H ery and hunting makingva pretty pic-1 ture, especially, when thepdancing was in progress. Prior to the dance, :3‘ short musical programme was submit:-i ted. Mr D. Jackson presided, and in—, troduced the performers. Mesdamesl A. Gibbs and T. A. Randolph anvli Messrs Goldsbury and Graham contri-E buted songs, which met with the ap-I proval of the audience, as did also ai recitation by Mrs C. Jones. Mr Golds- 5 bury in a short speech‘ welcomed the, men home, paying a tribute to their, valour abroad, and to their cheery op» timism and unity, a spirit that is needed at the present time among all classes. Mr Goldsbury also paid a tribute to those who had fallen, saying that “to live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die,” and he as’.:ed all present to rise in silence as a mark of respect to those soldiers who sleep in far off lands, and in that brief silent tribute many a one‘s thoughts went out to some loved one or friend, who made the supreme ficrifice. At the close of Mr Goldsbury’s speech, “For They are Jolly Good Fellows’? was heartily sung, and three rousing cheers Were given for the returned soldiers. Mr Mccorkindale also briefly welcomed the men -home, stressing the fact that not suflicient practical sympathy was shown the menMr R. Logan, on -behalf of the returned men, thanked the NODI6 fflr the welcome given them_

Dancing then took place, and must be added to a long list of successful dances that has been held this year. Mr Arnotiyfmsgs M.‘C. and with his assistants,j‘M'essrs‘Geange end S. McAlister, 1061-§ed'~a?fter the dancers’ comfort. V The "s::pper, supplied by the ladies, was worthy of the occasion, and fully maintained fhn excellent reputa.tion7 of previous suppers. Firstclass music for the dance was supplied by Mrs Lewis and Messrs D. Jackson, Lang, 'l‘. Hoe:-oei and T. Po/caka_ Mrs Lewis also played the accompaniments

10:.‘ t‘~e s‘n.r:e2-9.‘ in’ an artistic” and

"sympathetic manner. ' The gathering broke up in “the Wee smaf hours,” everyone feeling that the returned soldiers of Utiku and Ohutu, had been fittingly Welcomed home. The committee of ladies and gentlemen responsible for the functions, all worked hard, to make the affair the success it was, but they are too numerous to admit of personal mention.