MOTHERS OF SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1917, Page 6

MOTHERS OF SOLDIERS.

"ENTERTAINED .AT SOLDIERS' CLTJB.

The invitation to the mothers of soldiers to an '"at home" given by the .Re-: turned Soldiers' Association, in the Soldiers' Clul) on Saturday afternoon, was accepted by a number of ladies even larger than 'Was expected, including many whose sons e lighting, 'have fought, or are in camp, from other parts of the Dominion. Of course the majority were. Taranaki mother*, lint there were also quite a sprinkling of visitors from other districts.and ladies who have come to reside here since their boys joined the forces in other districts. A number of prominent citizens were likewise amongst the guests, including; Ven. Archdeacon Evans, the Mayor (Mr. C. TT. Burgo-s) and Mrs. Burgess, Dr. and Mrs. Waiker, Miss Winnie Sole, and other ladies and gentlemen closely associated with the initiation of the elubi 'and with providing the means-of recreation and rest which the men now enjoy. To give pome idea of the number present, it may he mentioned that about 120 ladies signed the visitors' book, and of course then? nvere not a few who had no opportunity of doing so owing to. the crowded state of the rooms.

The premises were specially decorated for tile occasion with an abundance of flags and Bpring flowers, their artisticj arrangement producing a'.very prettyeffect. On arrival the guests were reIceived by members of the Association's executive and conducted to seats in the various apartments, but these seats were <;o speedily tilled that others had to be provided in the passage-ways,twhile even itlio stairs iwere brought into requisition. Tho committee had an arßuofts task in attending to their numerous guests, but, thanks to energy and thorough organisation, thev succeeded' in amply satisfying, ail the demands made upon>their hospitality. The visitors were regaled first with sweets and then with afternoon tea,and over their cups enjoyed the pleasure of friendly converse regarding their boys, exchanging experiences and reminiscences, .sympathising with each other in cases of misfortune, and rejoicing together over deeds of honor and achievement'. Music was included in the pleasures of tho afternoon, the Misses Bennett playing a pianoforte duet, while solos were sung by Miss Jean Bennett, Miss Hyland, and 'Mr JXmstan. The final act. a graceful and courteous one, was the presentation to each lady as she left the club of a bouquet of daffodils and other spring flowers as a souvenir of the memorable occasion.

PRESENTATION* OF ADDRESS. At a suitable interval in the afternoon's proceedings all present were invited to -rather in the billiard-room, in liouor of u special event, and the room was infniediatelv crowded with the lady miests. their liotts, and other friends.

Mr. X. IV Howell, president of the club, addressing t lie assemblage, said they

had met to commemorate- the opening of the club, an institution intended to provide a rest, a place of recreation, and a home for returned soldiers. These were the objects for which the club had been instituted and opened, and these object-; had been wonderfully fulfilled. The Mayor (.Mr. 0. 11. Burgess) and Mrs. had ta!-en so active a part in founding the institution (hat members wished to convey in some tangible form their appreciation of what had been done on their behalf, and so asked their acceptance of an address expressive of the members' appreciation. (Applause.) The address, beaijtifully illuminated and massively framed in oaU, was as follows:

'•To Mr. and Mr?. C. IT. Burgess On the occasion of the Anniversary of Die opening of tuo New Plymouth Soldiers' Club, we, the returned soldiers of tWdistrict, desire to avail ourselves of the opportunity to express in tangible form our very keen appreciation of tlie many acts of kindness and genero-ity continuously olfcred lis by 'youi good selves since our return from the front. During the last three years your kindly interest in and devotion to the men as recruits and as soldiers abroad has never waned, and we who have returned c:innot express in words our j'cidinfrs of gratitude for the solicitude ever evinced by you for our wellbeing. Whilst to you the work is an lintirin',' labor of love, to the soldiers on service your example lias acted as a home-sent tonic, the value of which cannot lie estimated. That 'We truly regard you as the foster parents of our ever-growing brotherhood is, we believe, but inadequately expressing the feelings of all of us, and we sincerely hope you may both long be spared in health and "happiness to continue your good- work and to enjoy the evidences of its appreciation around you.—We are, for the returned soldiers." (Signed by 40 members of the Association.)

The Mayor eaid he had, on behalf of . Mrs. Burgess and himself, to thank the members of the club for the very hand- ' totr.c address presented to them. He, wished to say, however, that it was to Mrs. Burgess and the ladies associated with her that the existence of the club was principally due. Personally he had J done very little, but that little had Iwcn a labor of love. As Mayor he was, of course, brought nto close contact ivitli public and patriotic movements, and when he had the opportunity he was always pleased to do what he could for the soldiers—whether in camp, at the front, or returned. Ho repeated that lie took no credit to himself in connection with the club: it was all due to the ladies who had initiated the project, and to the general public bv whom it had been so generously supported. Notwithstanding that, he could assure them that his heart was with the soldiers, and so long as lie was able he would work on their behalf. " • LIFE MEMBERS. Mr. IToweil said he liad another little duty to perform. The members wished to place 011 record their appreciation of the work done for the association by' Mr. and Mrs. Burgess, Dr. and Mrs. Walker, and Miss Winnie Sole, and therefore asked them to accept a cold medal each as an emblem of honorary life membership of the Association. (Applause.) Dr. Walker expressed the thanks of Mrs. Walker and himself for the honor I so kindly conferred upon them. It had given him very great pleasure indeed to be present that afternoe>n, because he had been a good deal in touch with the returned men, and had had occasion to admire the spirit with which they were animated. Ue had been struck with the fact that in the association and comradeship existing amongst its members there might lie a considerable help to the solution of a very serious problem with which the country would have to deal Jtter «v

their graceful act towards Mrs, Walker and himself, (AppUusn.) Tho Mayor also brie'iy returned thanks on his wife's behalf and on his own.

Cheers having been given for the new [iie members by the soldiers, and by the guests for the. soldiers, the I'ev. W. Sinclair thanked the club on behalf of those who had been so very hospitably entertained, and the very pleasant proceedings were brought to a close.