WELCOME HOME TO OUR BOYS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3533, 22 July 1920, Page 5

WELCOME HOME TO OUR BOYS.

AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS. . Though rather belated the welcome home tendered to our returned soldiers by the residents of the town and district in tlie Town Hall last night yas a most unqualified success. It «'.te a happy thought on the part ladies who had tbe function in o have it take the form of a n Ball, thereby introducing n-opriate carnival atmosphere. The noor of the Town Hall was crowded with a very motley throng, while the dress circle was packed with interested spectators.

Messrs Dunbar and Giles, who acted as directors of ceremonies, quickly brought order out of seeming confusion, and a grand march was formed. As the dancers promenaded the room some idea could be formed of the many fancy and comical dresses. There were to be seen a kewpie arm in arm with a lady of the 18th century, a demure lady of the mid-Vic-toria period partnered with a Taihape bushman, a sedate clergyman escorting a gipsy, and scores of other incongruous pairings which appealed to the humorous sense of the spectators. After the march the promenaders swung into a waltz, and as the merry throng circled round the hall."the riot of colour and the variegated costumes formed a very charming picture. There were too many on the floor for comfortable dancing, but that mattered not at all. The collisions and bumps that were inevitable under the circumstances were' taken with a smile and a joke which added to the enjoyment of the carnival. Messrs Dunbar and Giles, as M's.C. were indefatigable in their efforts for the enjoyment of the dancers; the dancing and fun were kept going till a early hour this morning, and a very pleasant and happy evening was spent. *

The returned-soldiers, as guests of

the even nig, .were in strong force, there being about. 175 men present from all pa-rj& of the district, and they also • quite entered into the spirit of the function. During the evening His Worship the Mayor (A. J. Joblin, Esq.), addressed a few words,, of welcome to the re-: turned soldiers. He said it was not intended to burden them with a speech, but in a few happy phrases said he was pleased.to see men back home. and wished them the best of good luck, that they would live long and enjoy life, and that their future would be very fine. Mr L. E. Norris, president of the Taihape and District Returned Soldiers' Association, briefly thanked those who had done so much to make the welcome to the returned soldiers a success. He assured them that that they fully appreciated their .appreciation. The ladies especially had devoted a great deal of time and attention to the work,, and they had also,. played a great part in the war. The women had had the most anxious time during the war, as the men who were there knew when they were safe, but the people at home imagined they were in .danger all the time. On behalf of the returned men of the district, he thanked them most heartily for the sincerity of their welcome ~ ~•

Music was supplied by Mrs J. Webb, Miss McPhee, and Messrs H. H. Hartley, G. Bryce, S. Dash, and J. Sinclair. The supper-room" was a sTriking-ex-ample of the taste and skill of the ladies. The decorations were extremely good. Draped with flags and festoons of flowers and curtains, the effect wa s charming and striking. Three tables were tastefully laid out with abundance of good things, of a substantial nature, and with dainties and delicacies in the way of trifles, salads, etc., that would satisfy the most Epicurean palate. The supper and decorations of the room were subjects of admiration and high euconiums from all. This universal tribute to the ladies is wholly deserved, as they worked very hard and unselfishly to make the "Welcome Home" worthy of the unique occasion, and a credit to themselves and the community. A speaker at a recent meeting stated that if the function was left entirely to tie ladies to organise they would make 100 per cent, success of it. They have, and the "Welcome Home? tendered to our soldier boys will live long in their memory, and be a very bright record in the history of the. community. The women of Taihape have laboured most assiduously and unselfishly during the war, and the success of th*e function last night is a fitting capital to the column of their labours which commenced on the fateful August 4, 1914.