A RETURNED SOLDIER.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 January 1916, Page 6

A RETURNED SOLDIER.

WELCOMED AT EAIIOTU. Siaiiiilnian A. L. Kitchingman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kitchingman, of the Kahiti Road, and well-known in New Plymouth, was ou Tuesday evening given an enthusiastic welcome at a social tendered in his honor at the Rahotu Hall. Signalman Kitchingman, who returned by the Maheno, was one of the first to volunteer to serve his country, leaving with the main body. He landed at Snvla Bay three weeks after the first landing, and was through the thick of the fray, being for three months in the trenches until he was stricken with enteric and was invalided to the Bombay Presidency Hospital at Alexandria, where he remained over three months. He was getting on well when lip suffered a relapse, and on again recovering was sent to his home on furlough. He is the only cne of his company of signallers who escaped. There was a large attendance at the social, which was presided over by Rev. T. B. Featherston, who, after the singing of the National Anthem, referred to the fact that this was the first occasion on which they had been called on to give anyone a welcome back. He referred in high :terni3 to the patriotic spirit that imbued thei.- guest, who, with the other New Zealanders, had been fighting in a great cause —the freedom of mankind.

Mr. Gibson prefaced his remarks by asking all to stand in silence for t minute out of respect for those brave New Zealanders who would never come back. Ik said that the war had brought out qualities in our young men that they hardly knew themselves they possessed. Though our contributions and efforts so far had not been small, we must still be willing to do more. Rev. Mr. Laybourne said that wn should rejoice because our Empire had taken up ihe cause of freedom. We should show our enthusiasm for an Empire of which we had cause to be proud, but professions were no use unless we were prepared to back them up. Mr. \V. R. Wright said that he was glad to welcome Signalman Kitchingman, as a soldier who had helped to ' keep the flag flying. Rev. Mr. Addenbrooke, referring to their guest's willingness to do his part, urged others to do theirs. Mr. Featherston then, amidst a salvo of applause, presented Signalman Kitchingman, with a fountain pen, safety razor, and pipe, as a token of appreciation. Signalman Kitchingman, in a modest reply, remarked that he had gone merely because he felt that it was his duty to answer the call as soon as possible. After some months in the trenches he could see that a greater call was still needed, and he considered that it was the duty of every young man, fit and well, to answer that call. (Applause). The audience then enthusiastically sang, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." During the evening the following programme was rendered: Song, "Mother of Men," Mr. M. Hughson; monologue, "Lasca," Mr. Goldsworthy, and, as an encore, "Blood Red Banners of Dawn"; song. "Admiral's Broom," Mr. Evans (encore,' "What We Have We'll Hold"); recitation, "Spanish Champion" Miss D. Looney (encore, "Boys of New Zealand") : song, "God Bless Our Empire," Rev, Addenbrooke (encored); monologue, "Last Shot," Mr. Goldsworthy; song, "Rule Britannja," Mr. T. P. Hughson. Miss A. Hughson played the accompaniments.

After supper, provided by the ladies, a short dance was held, Mr. R. Wright acting as M.C., and Mrs. Wright and Mr. Parker supplying the music. A collection during the evening realised £5 3s (id, whilst some horns given by Mr. Fcilder and sold on behalf of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund produced £8 6s, being sold and re-sold as follows: A. D. Fielder £1 ISs, M. Hughson £1 4s, .T. Morrow £1 ss, T. P. Hughson Jr. £1 Is, Mrs. Robertson £1 2s, W. R. Wright £l, and M. Hughson ss. The committee who had charge of the arrangements were Messrs T. P. Hughson, J. A. Colmer, W. C. Green, and Rev. T. B. Featherston.