DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1919, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

MIDHIRST. In addition to a big muster of local residents there was a large'contingent of visitors from outlying districts on the HUh inst., when a concert and dance was held to welcome home LanceCorporals V. J. Shorter and G. Treves, Gunner L. Vickers, and Driver E. H. Mills, who, on mounting the stage for presentation of illuminated addresses, were enthusiastically received with cheers Rnd were accorded musical honors. Mr. Harkness (chairman), in making the presentations, said it was hard to find words to adequately express how glad and thankful Midhirst felt to have the guests of the evening safe home again after the many hardships and perils they had passed through. They had done their duty for New Zealand nobly during the war, and he felt sure now that peace had come they would make the best of citizens. The following contributed items to an excellent concert programme: Miss Huse, Mrs. Hatcher, Mrs. Tapp, the Misses Sullivan, Moon and Handseomb (Stratford), Miss Martin. Miss Anderson, Mr. Riley. Mr. Harris, and Mr. Bishop (Wellington). The last-mentioned, a returned soldier, who happpned to be in the locality on business, was a valuable addition to the male performers, of whom we are rather short, and well deserved the hearty applause accorded to him for his clever and amusing monologues. Amongst the the ladies who worked indefatigably in getting supper were Mesdames G. Keightley, Xeilson, G. Smith, Bowman, and Miss Mountford. A very snecessful and enjoyable evening was concluded with a dance. Miss Hnse presided at the piano, and Mr. J. Shorter carried out the arduous duties of M.C. in his usual efficient manner. ' The now well recognised fac*; that the Midhirst town hall badly needs enlargement was particularly noticeable on this occasion, and it is to be hoped steps will be taken to remedy this serious drawback.