STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

FAREWELL TO CAPTAIN W. H. HAWKINS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday. On Monday evening the members of the Egmont Club tendered a farewell to one of their members, Captain W. 11. Hawkins, who is leaving for the front with the next Reinforcements. Despite the wet night there was a large attendance. The president (Mr. J. McMahgn), said Te president (Mr J, McMahon), said he had a pleasing duty to perform, and that was to present Captain Hawkins with a case of pipes and tobacco, as a small memento of the esteem he was held in by the members of the club. He felt sure the guest would make a name for himself in any -position he may be placed in, and wished him God-speed and a safe return. Mr. N. J. King deemed it a privilege to do honor to their guest, who was going to do his duty to his King and his ■country. He congratulated the men who happened to De under Captain Hawkins' command, and hoped in the near future to have the pleasure of welcoming him back. Mr. J. Masters, as one of the oldest members of the club, added his tribute. Mr. C. D. Sole said the Taranaki boys of B. Company were to be congratulated on having Captain Hawkins as their captain, they had a clean-living man, wo would be a father to them all the time they were away from home. Mr. C. Jackson spoke in similar strain. Captain Hawkins, who was cheered, said that there were very few periods in his life when he had found it difficult to say anything, but this was one of them. He had no idea when he arrived in Stratford that morning that this function was to be held, and he was very pleased to hear that he held the respect and esteem of men who knew him. He was making a sacrifice, but he felt that the call had come, and he must obey it. He asked those present never to tolerate the establishment of wet canteens in a military camp. "Go," said he, "any night to the railway stn. tion at Wellington, and there yen will find a picket, and »np flm trouble that picket has to get the men in stage intoxication on the train. Go on a Sunday evening, when nearly double the men get leave than in the week days, and although the picket is just the same number of men, they practically have no work to do. Why? Because the liquor bars are closed." He, with others, were making a sacrifice. Would those who'term themselves moderates make a sacrifice by refusing to drink while the war lasts? If they did tliat there would be no cry for (i o'clock closing, or an Anti-Shouting Bill. He intended to do his duty both to his Empire and the men under him, and when in the battle field or elsewhere in a strange land, when he pulled out the pipes that had been so kindly presented to him, his thoughts would go back te many dear friendships he had left behind him in Stratford, to the many pleasant evenings- with the fellow members he had met in the Egmont Club. Further cheers were given for Captain Hawkins and those at the front, and the gathering broke up by singing, "Auld Lang Syne."