ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1917, Page 3

ELTHAM.

. (From Our Own Correspondent). Eltham, May 20. There was an excellent attendance, of members and friends at the social lipid in the C.E.M.S. rooms on Friday evening, tendered to welcome back from the 'firing line Privates B. L. Duff, Henrickson, W. Hornblow and C. Ij. Libeau The Rev. G. W. Dent presided, and several ladies were present. Speeches were made by Mr. Ij.B. Brimstone (who has been treasurer of patriotic funds since the war commenced), Rev. G. AV. Dent, Mr 0. H. Buckerid'ge, and the Hon. W. C Carncross. Naturally all the speeches were well received, but the returned soldiers, evidently realising (hat they were not orators, fought shy of the platform, and allowed Private Libeau to return '.banks for the hearty welcome. Songs, etc., were contributed by Rev. 0. \V, Dent, and Messrs E. Carter and tt. IT. Buckeridge. The ladies provided an excellent assortment of dainties that were relished by all present. The same evening the Rawhitiron school children held a social and dance in the hall. The attendance, was very good, and those present were delighted with the varied programme submitted. Naturally the scholars furnished the major portion of the programme, and their items were eagerly anticipated by those in front. A farce "Needle and Haystack" was also staged, the character* being sustained by Mesdamra Keg. Phillips, McNeil. D. May, Misses f. Bleakley, B. and D. Stanton and Ida Luxton. There were many opportunities to creato laughter, and the performers ably succeeded in their efforts. At the closi, of the entertainment the hall was denied for dancing, and a further lengthy period of pleasure passed. Tlie school funds should receive a lift along as a result. Chief credit must be attributed to Mrs. McNeil for arranging the concert and attending to other details necessary to the success of the evening. Euchre parties will soon be here again. The annual tournament will open this week, when eight teams will compete for the trophy, li, was expwteil that Rawhitiroa would enter a team, but our eastern neighbors failed to nominate. The teams engaged are: Oddfellows (2), Hibernians (2), Druids, Foresters. Fire Birgade and Box Factory.

In conversation with Private B. Duff, lie infprms me that he was only in the French trenches 24 hours before lie was compelled to leave. His brother, Cecil, was killed in action. Private Dufl', on his discharge, will take up dairy factory work again, and should have 110 difficulty in securing employment once more. Considerable interest is being taken in the police action against the two Swiss men Mallies and Chamberlain, to he heard on Wednesday before Mr. \V. R. Haselden, S.M. The clmrgc is one of seriously injuring Constable Liston, of Kapongii. when arresting a mail on a charge of being drunk whilst in charge of a car and using obscene language.