FRANKLEY ROAD.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1917, Page 6

FRANKLEY ROAD.

INTERESTING PRESENTATIONS. Tlie concert and dance arranged by the settlers of Frankley Road and Westown, which took place in the Frankley Road School Gymnasium on Tuesday evening, was largely attended and was a big success in every way. The gathering really had a four-fold purpose. It was a welcome home to Sergeant Leslie Cole, who has returned invalided after being twice wounded in Franco; a farewell to Private Leslie Boswell, who is i;ow on final leave; it was a further effort on behalf on the residents to raise funds for patriotic purposes, the net proceeds being devoted to the Red Cross funds; whilst advantage was also taken of the opportunity to -make a presentation to Miss Hare, assislant teacher of the school, in recognition of her good work.

Mr. A. Lister, clinirman of the school committee, briefly explained the objects of the gathering, and afterwards called upon Mr. H. Okey, M.P., to preside. A varied programme was submitted. The programme included pianoforte duets bv Misses Eita and Ruby Sole, Miss Rita and Mr. X, Sole, songs by Miss Elsie Cole, Miss Sole, Mrs. Golding, Mr. J. Lovell, banjo solos by Mr. Gadd, monologues by Mr. Goldsworthy, and humorous items by Mr. Bert Vinson. During an interval in the concert tfw •chairman made a number of presentations. He extended to Sergeant Leslie Cole, a Frankley Road School boy, a very hearty welcome home. Sergeant Cole, he mentioned, had won his stripes on the field of battle, which they would all agree was a very great honor, not only to Sergeant Cole himself, but also to the district to which lie belonged. They were proud of him. (Applause). Sergeant Cole had served with the artillery in Egypt and also in France, where he was twice wounded. Seeing that Sergeant Cole, who was under age at the time, enlisted at Auckland, the settlers did not havo an Opportunity of giaking him a presentation before io

loft, but now that he had returned they had grasped the first opportunity of doing so, and on behalf of the settlers of Frankley lioad he had very great pleasure in presenting him with a pipe and pouch. (Applause). Mr. J. Lovell, on behalf of the residents of Westown, also presented Sergeant Cole with a wristlet watch, which was fastened on the recipient's wrist by Miss Lovell amid applause. Sergeant Cole thanked the settlers for their kindness and for their very handsome presents. .

The company then joined in the Ringing of "For lie's a jolly good fellow.-" Mr, Okey then extended a farewell to Private Boswell, and expressed the hope that lie would be spared to come safely back again and that lie too would gain his stripes as Sergeant Cole had done. Mr. Okey mentioned tlmt. Privata Boswell had already received a presentation from the settlers of the district, the presentation taking place at Fraukleigh Park, that particular part of the district in which Private Boswell resided. Private Boswell suitably acknowledged the good wishes of the settlers, and also took advantage of the opportunity of thanking them for their present. "For he's a jolly good fellow" was repeated, and later Mr. Okey made a presentation of a very handsome dressing case and manictire set, suitably inserted, to Miss K. Hare, assistant teacher at the Frankley Road School. Mr. Okey said the presentation was made by tlie parents of children attending the Bchool, in recognition of the recipient's good work not only in her capacity as a taacher at the school, but also as a mark of their appreciation of Miss Hare's services in connection with the several successful school concerts. Miss Hare had been mainly responsible for arranging the programmes of those concerts and also for preparing the children. Miss Hare, in returning thanks, said that anything she had been able to do for the children had been a source of pleasure to her, and she Jiad never thought of receiving anything in recognition from their parents. It was quite sufficient to know that the people had enjoyed the concerts and that one's efforts were appreciated, " : '

I . M'" - Winflold, headmaster, mi < . behalf of the school, welcomed SerwmS o ' 'Mentioning that ha Bftw the coxn- | lneneement of the Somme offen/ve, which waß the biggest battle ilia \v«M had ever known. He also addressed A tow words of farewell to Private Boswell, and wished him a safe return. Ha , was extremely pleased that the settlers s "' u to recognise the efforts of Miss Hare. N 0 one knew better than himself the time she had devoted,anil the trouble she had taken in preparing tor the school concerts. The floor was then cleared for dancing.