ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1920, Page 8

ELTHAM.

(From Our Own Correspondent) Jan. 14. A letter received lately from England, and dated 23rd November, contains the following article, which should interest your readers:—"This morning was rather important in a way, inasmuch as we held a church parade in Walton Village, and presented them with ft banner. All local bodies were represented in the procession, and of course we (the troops) were present. This banner, a beautiful little thing, was worked in silver, and was presented to the Walton, people, to be hung in the church in remembrance of our boys buried in the churchyard. It was started over here by our limbless men, who were, however, unable to finish it here, so they took it home to New Zealand, flnished it, and sent it back. Sir Thos. Mackenzie wits present, looking as merry Und bright as ever. "The church, as old as the hills, was packed during the service, and all Went swimmingly. The parson announced that the banner would hang nest to the Crusaders' crosses, which in themselves are Interesting, having been made in the Pillars by the actual Crusaders themselves. Our banner bears the New Zealand badge, flanked by the dates 1914,' •1918,' and under 'ln memory of,' worked to a big scroll, and then follows the names of the men buried in Walton, "A couple of pews from where I reclined was the pew which Queen' Elizabeth used to occupy, but from what little I know of history no special virtue reflects from that. "The old church is interesting, as it is built of bricks and stones, dumped up anyhow, and has seen some stirring times, being a shelter for the people in the good old time 3of long ago. Cromwell* also blew round about its neighborhood when he felt in the mood for a little mild relaxation. Sorry I can't bring the old place as a curio with me when I come, as it would make a good souvenir of the war." A special meeting of the Foresters was held to-night. There was a good attendance, and one new member was proposed. The officers will be installed next Wednesday, vlt was decided to start the dances again, and a small committee was appointed. Our local man in blue, Constable Townsend, is to have a fortnight's holiday, and well deserves it. Constable Linton relieves him. Mr. H. Forsyth, chairman of the Dairy Company, is to arrive home on Saturday. He is at present in Wellington, attending a Producers' Conference.