SOLDIERS FAREWELLED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 December 1939, Page 6

SOLDIERS FAREWELLED

MESSRS BARNES AND EWART. SWIMMING CLUB GATHERING. At a recent gathering held by the Masterton Swimming Club opportunity was taken to bid farewell and to make small presentations to two club members who will be going overseas with the First Echelon of the Special Force, Messrs Jim Barnes and Jim Ewart. Mr V. McKeague, who presided, said that it gave the members great pleasure to have the soldier members with them that evening and on behalf of the club he extended a cordial welcome to them. He also apologised for the absence of the club president, Mr H. P. Glen, who was unable to be present but who had sent his best wishes to -the guests of the evening. They were all aware of the reason lor the gathering and he was sure he voiced the thoughts of them all when he said "Good luck and a safe return" to their guests. Mr McKeague then called upon the patron of the club, Mr H. E. Pither, to make presentations to Messrs Barnes and Ewart. Mr Pither, in a few well-chosen remarks, referred to the high esteem in which their guests were held, and said that their reputations for sportsmanship and character were in keeping with the best traditions of the club. He was sure that those traditions would be worthily upheld during their war service by both Messrs Ewart and Barnes. He said that in the next few months they would come up against many new conditions to which they would have to adapt themselves as best they could, but if they remembered the old adage, "where there is a will there is a way,” he did not think that those new conditions would prove insurmountable to men of their calibre. He wished both soldiers the very best of good fortune, and asked them to accept companion sets from the club, to which he added a pocket wallet each as a token of esteem from their fellow members. After the singing of "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows," both Messrs Ewart and Barnes responded and suitably thanked the patron and club Cor the presentations and the gathering given in their honour. They assured members that their association with the club would always be a pleasant memory and they trusted that next season would see them back again and once more taking their part in club activities. The gathering concluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." The third member of the club in the Special Force. Mr G. Gaze, was unable to be present, but it is intended to make a similar presentation to him before his departure.