STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

FAREWELL TO SOLDIERS. (From Our Own Correspondent). Stratford, May 30. There wa3 an excellent attendance of the public at the farewell send-off to the Stratford contingent which left by mail train this morning. This marked the first occasion of a public farewell by the Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan). Owing to the short time between the arrival of the men and the departure of the tra!n the Mayor was obliged to cut down his speech, and Rev. E. Tinsley, who fallowed, had to be very brief. The Mayor, on behalf of the people of Stratford and district, wished them au revoir, the best of good luck and a safo return. tic also extended to them the gratitude of the public in the sacrifices they were making, and felt sure the indebtedness would never be forgotten, fie trusted they would enjoy camp life and have a safe and pleasant trip Home, where they would be welcomed and honored as New Zealanders, for the name our boys who have gone ahead have made for us. They were making a big sacrifice, but the welcome they would receive from their comrades at the front would compensate for a good deal of tho inconvenience they would have to undergo, It was ' regrettable that the need still existed to send men from our shores, but New Zealand was helping in her best manner to assist in preventing a nation mastering the world—a mastery, that meant humiliation, and probably '.something akin to slavery, if their enemies succeeded. This was a remote contingency. Deep down in our hearts we knew our cause would triumph, and those being farewelled that morning would share in the honor. He wished them God-speed and a safe return. The Rev. R .B. Tinsley said they were farewelling the 30th Reinforcements, and that meant tbat considerably over thirty speeches had been delivered on that platform. "Can I hope to say nnyt'iing new now? I'm not going to attempt it. T feel that what we need to-day is not to peek the new but to emphasise the old, for we are apt to forget. In the early stages of the war we heard much of the phases which symbofise for us Germany's conception/of honor, and revealed the depravity of the German mind. To-day we hear nothing of it. Perhaps because it lias been hackneyed, but more likely in the 'wrack of battle' so many deeds have been added to Germany's roll of infamy that we are forgetting those things. Britain is fighting tor her plighted word. Those leaving this morning are going to fight for their own country, a fact the people often forget, for Britain stands in the way of Germany's acquisition of the empty lands in the. southern hemisphere. What Germany wants is to get these empty lands in the southern hemisphere, where she can found a colonial empire and where she may derive her wealth. 'Let the men who are leaving remember thev are saving their own land, their homes, their folk", from the danger and lust of the Germans. Remember that first, but remember also the Belgians, the Lusitania. and Nurse Cavell." The names of those who left were: A. Allertson, R. B. Anderson, .T. Brown. L. C. Brown, J. R. J. Booker, S. Cuthbertson, A. Cameron, W. A. Johnston, F. Kemp, T. Kerrick, A. L. Kivell, F. J. May, J. Humphry. C. J. Hollis, P. C. Kettlewell, M. C. McLachlan, B. McSweeney, T. A. Patterson, R. Rowe, F. N T . Silk. W. T. Tyrcll, C. H. Volski, P. Wall, and S. H. Wicksteed.

GENERAL. Members of the Taranaki Scottish Society held a meeting last evening, Mr. G. Sangster presiding. The society aceountsshowed a credit of £l7 odd. They had forwarded £SO to the Volunteer Nursing Sisterhood and £47 to the Patriotic Society. A profit of £lO las was'made on the concert held last October. The membership was now 48. The president believed a concert was to he arranged by the society in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, and would also be a means of keeping the society together The election of officers resulted:—President, Mr. G. Sangster; vicepresidents,, Messrs A. W. Seed, A. F. Grant, W. McDonald, J. Petrie; committee, Messrs W. McDonald, R. Macfarlane, J. Bonnor, J. Paul, T. Smith, F. Ferguson and A. M. Robertson; secretary, Mr. F. ,T. McDonald; treasurer, Mr. A. F. Grant. The Whangamomona settlers and others farewelled Mr. and Mrs. Comrie on Monday. In the afternoon the ladies presented Mrs. Comrie with a solid silver entree dish, and in the evening Mr. Comrie found himself the possessor of a silver tea service, and the recipient of many expressions of goodwill for his future work. Mr. Comrie has been m charge of the railway station for some time, and the able manner in which he carried out his duties, and also the popularity of Mrs. Comrie, resulted in the above send-off. He will" join the railway staff at Feilding. Mr G N. Curtis, chairman of the Belgian Relief Fund, has been busy during the past few days attending to gifts of clothing forwarded on behalf of the fund. Donations of clothes, etc., were received from the Pohokura ladies, Messrs Rawles and Rawles, Mesdames A. Mackay, Smith (Cardiff), Y. Davis, S. Cooke, A. W. Burrell, 0. M. Curtis, R. •B. Anderson, and W. H. Masters. On Inquiry to-day Dr. Stevens informs me that the condition of young Sattler, the victim of the shooting accident on Monday, is still critical. Amongst the soldiers farewelled this morning was Mr. L. C\ Brown. He is returning to the front. He was wounded rather severely at Gallipoli, and had a long spell in British and Wellington hospitals. Whilst at the Stratford hospital he made a remarkable recovery, and at the recent examination by the Medical Board here was considered one of the soundest men examined. Some months ago lie expressed a wish to get back to see the finish of the struggle, and there are many who will wish the ex-Gallipoli man the best of luck in this his second venture. From indications it is safe to assume that the concert in the Town Hall on Monday will prove a big success. The sale of tictats has been very heavy. A fine programme, comprising the best talent available, has been drawn up. Particulars appear on the first page.

It ia surprising what one can find if' he or aha only takes the trouble to investigate. Stratford possesses a shop where the wife can obtain the best crockeryware and most pleasing bangle, bracelet, or watch she desires. Hubby can obtain his choice of smokes, pipes, and reading matter; the eldest girl and the youngest boy can get what they covet most, be it jewellery, thimble, or poeket-knifc, and the place where-this wonderful variety is obtainable is C. B. i tomes' Warehouse,*