DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

NORFOLK ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent). For aorao yearn there has been operating In the Maketawa portion of the Moa District a strong and active committee of young folk of both sexes who liavo organised the social gatherings, concerts, dances and the like at the Norfolk Jtoad school, and who, after the outbreak of war, became the active centre of the patriotic efforts of the neighbourhood. That they have done good work In thi3 line is well known, not a soldier having left for the front but he has been sent with a farewell gift and social gathering to hcaTten him on Ills way. Another proof of their activity can be seen 011 the wall of the school, where hangs the portraits of those former pupils whose lives have been sacrificed in the great struggle. Moro than onro during ,_ese ."ears of strife the committee has had quite notable success attend its work but the gathering to welcome the returned soldier* of this neighbourhood on Friday, the lltli Inst., easily surpassed all previous experiences. Invitations had been sent to all returned soldiers belonging here whose present addresses were known, and Major nine, M.P., tlio representative of the constituency, was also asked to he present, as well as other friends who liavo taken a prominent part In patriotic work during the war time, so / that besides their own follow settlers there were plenty from beyond the Immediate locality to greet those soldiers who responded to the Invitation.

Tho first part of the night was devoted to n programme under the able conduct of Mr. J. Sutherland, the Mayor of Inglewood, who, from the numbers present, thought the whole community had turned out' to do honor to the men who had returned and to the memories of those who, having left their homes, would never more come back, and 'twas no more than they deserved. At the conclusion of Mr. Sutherland's remarks, the meeting rose as onß and sang the National Anthem and the following programme was carried through without haste or hitch, viz : Orchestral selection by the Wilson family, of Inglewood, formal welcome to the Teturned Roldlers by Maior Hinc, M.P., who touched on the relief they must feel coming back to times of peace which only those could realise who had been through the "Tough and terrible experiences of war He trusted they would never again be called upon to light'for home and liberty, and reminded them that now they had a duty to perform in peace time to their country, and oach should ask himself "What can I do to make my country that I have fought for" still better worth ilvlng in than it is now!" New Zealand had determined to do all she could to lielp them become good and prosperous citizens,- and ho felt confident that as they had proved themselves good soldiers In the field they would with equal determination demonstrate their value as civilians in the general life of tho State. Next followed a song by Mr. L. Sutherland.

Mr. A. Marshall was them called upon by the chairman to address the meeting, anil though ho claimed consideration from his audience as being an unpractised speaker, not used to facing a large audience ho most certainly "caught on," was given a most attentive hearing and at the conclusion of Ills remarks, greeted with hearty and well merited applause. A song by Mr. It. Geddes then followed, after him a recitation by Mr. TartTldge was loudly applauded and the reciter called on for a second effort.

Mr. J. Brown then addressed the house on the "Future Prespects of Returned and Wounded Soldiers."

Mr. W. Earp's song that followed was warmly received, and an encore demanded, following which Mr. .T. B. Simpson was called upon to speak, his theme being "The Fallen Soldier," or as he put It "Our boys who will never come back." After the hearty applause that greeted Mr. Simpson's speech had subsided Mr. R Darlow regaled the audience with "Eventide." and In answer to a well-deserved encore sang "A Quaint Old Cornish Town," two Items one would not grudge quite a walk to enjoy. Mr H. Trimble was next called upon to speak to his returned fellow settlers. Ho said some 80 former pupils of the Norfolk Road school or as settlers of the district had gone to the front, a high record for so small a district He, with others who had not been able or eligible, to. go welcomed them homo and wished them good luck In their return to civilian occupation. Mr. A. Marshall thein gave as a reading "The Kaiser's Dream," and Major Hlne, on behalf of the returned soldiers, returned thanks for the splendid receptl. l accorded them He had had the honor of leading New Zealand soldiers In the Held, and if duty called would ask for 110 better men, with such as they were to follow ho would go anywhere. The chairman thanked Major Hine and other visitors for their presence and contributions to the evening's programme and asked If any returned soldiers present would like to make any remarks or address those who had gathered to greet them; but the soldier boys were not folng over the top this time, so after a moit enjoyable orchestral selection by the Wilson family and singing the National Anthem an adjournment was made to the marquee set up outside whore supper had been provided of a quality not to be surpassed in any town and quantity to supply all needs. Indeed the catering was so liberal that quite a respectable addition to tho night's takings was realised for the good things left orer after all were well supplied.

The dance that followed was as great a nuccgss as the entertainment and programme had proved, and so willing were the dancers that it; was well on to 2 a.m. on Saturday that this opocb mukiae function was. brought to a close.