DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 300, 28 May 1915, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

NORMALCY. (From Our Own Correspondent,) The Town Hall was crowded to the doors oil Wednesday evening, when a farewell social was tendered to seven .young men from the district who are off to the front. Mr. Thomas Free, chairman of the Town Board, presided, and presented each soldier with a pocket book and some comforts which had been subscribed for by the residents. tie said that the socks would keep their [ feet warm and the pocket book could be used to make a record of the victories in which the New Zealanders i were engaged. As each man stepped forward to receive the gifts lie was received with tumultuous applause ;l iul cheering. One of tho young men. Policy Clements, then mounted the platform and expressed the thanks of thosa who had .recoiled such kindness from the hands of the Normnnby people. '['he National Anthem was then sung with great enthusiasm, and cheers for tne King and the boys at the front were then given. The Rev. Butler gave a stirring .address, in which he appealed for others to volunteer. The Union .lack, the (lag that had, stood for freedom and justice, would lie "trailed in the dust by tierman hordeslinlcss onr manhood realised its responsibility to the Empire. He expressed the sympathy of the audience with tlie relatives of Private Reginald McKeoy, who had been wounded iu the Dardanelles. A programme of musical and vocal items was rendered by the following:— Pianoforte overture, Miss Alma Sawerby; duet, Mrs. Butler and Miss Laurent; songs, .Mrs. 'Archbold,, Mrs. Butler and Miss Laurent; recitations, Miss Constance Free and Mr. James Cowan. Miss l.va Edwardii played the accompaniments. Parlor games and dancing were indulged in until the early hours of the morning, after which one of the pipers marched through 'the streets playing a stirring march, and followed by a crowd of people. Refreshments were provided by the ladies, and thanks are due to Mr. and Mrs. Archbold who originated the idea of the social. _Tiiere is a strong feeling in favor of the town district merging with the Han-era County Council, it Ik oxpected that the 'town Board will arrange for a poll of the ratepayers at an early date, when the voting 'should he close. :