A RETURNED TROOPER.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1916, Page 6

A RETURNED TROOPER.

WELCOMED AT OKATfc' A very pleasant social function took place in the Okato Hall on Tuesday evening, when a welcome was tendered to Trooper D. S. Fox, who left with the "rd Reinforcements, and returned recently by the Uliinaros invalided. The --social, which took- the nature of a smoke concert, was well attended, Mr. S. Daily presiding, and Mr. P. Roebuck occupying the vice-chair. Full justice was done to the light repast provided, when a lengthy toast list was discussed. "The Army and Navy" was proposed by Mr. Larsen and responded to by Capt. Knight and Mr. Williams. In proposing the toast of "Our Guest," Trooper D. S. I ox, Mr. J. Wooldridge extended the returned trooper a hearty welcome home after doing his bit for the Empire. At the commencement it was hardly realised that the war was so serious, and, to Okato's everlasting regret, tliey allowed several of those who had volunteered first to leave without any public farewell. Two of those men had made t)ie supreme sacrifice. Troop er Fox was also one of those who received no farewell, and, on behalf of the Patriotic Committee, he handed Trooper Fox a ease of pipes. ; Mr. P. Roebuck, in a short speech, [presented Trooper Fox with a purse o.f sovereigns on behalf of the settlers. He stated it had been intended to give their guest a social, but at his request this had been abandoned. It was, he said, the intention of the committee to give every returned trooper a public welcome. Trooper Fox, in responding, said he had onlp done his dntv, as he thought every one should do that was single, and he regretted that he had been unable to do more. He would have liked to have gone on to France, but the medical authorities vetoed this. He could not but think with feelings of sorrow at the number of fine men that had been left behind in doing their duty. He paid a tribute to the great work done by the ladies, especially the noble services of muses, work which they could never repay. Then there were the gifts sent by ilie ladies of New Zealand. Sometimes one did not get the parcels that one expected, but it was indeed a hard (ask to sort out the parcels correctly. The chaplains were doing a noble work also. Tliey went where they bad no risht to go! There was 110 distinction, denominations being practically unknown. The medical men also did great work, and before leaving he had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Home, who was looking well. He spoke in high terms of the work done by the Y.M.C-.A. and Salvation Army. While he would not say that he was anxious to go back, his name would be kept on the list and if need'ei 1 he would be there. (Applause). Other toasts were "Local bodies," proposed by Capt. Knight and lesponded to by Mr. .1. Wooldridge (OUato Road Board), and Mr. Hunter; "Local Industries," propose! by Mr. Newell and responded to by Mr. Hunter; "Our boys at the frant," Mr. Ribbings, responded to by Mr. R. !■' Roebuck. The gathering then stood pileiit for a minute out of respect to those lads who had made the supreme sacrifice. Other toasts were: "Our Allies," proposed by Mr Cable and responded to by Mr. T. C. Street, "Ladies," pronosed by Mr. A. Corbett and responded to by Mr. C. .Shaw; '"The Press," proposed by Mr. Walls and responded to by the representative of the Taranaki Daily News; "Red Cross Nurses," proposed by Mr. C. Gill, and responded to bv Trooper Pox. "The Chairman" concluded (he toast list. A very diversified programme of items was sandwiched between the twists, the following contributing items: Sengs, Capt. Knight, Messrs. Gibbings, Franks, E. Shaw, Williams, Newell, Gable, A. Roebuck, Donnelly, and Trooper Fox; recitations, Messrs. Williams anil Wooldridge; reading, Mr. T. C. Street; cornet solo, Mr. Thompson. A number of the items'were encored. The accompaniments were played «by Mr. liarneit. A number of selections were given by Mr. Roebuck on his phonograph. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Barnett for presiding at the piano.