EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1940, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

PLUNKET SOCIETY monthly meeting of members (“Times-Age” Special.) The monthly meeting o£ the Eketahuna branch of the Plunket Society was held on Thursday. Mrs Albrechtsen presiding over a fair attendance o members. Accounts amounting to £2O ius were passed for payment. The committee extend thanks to the following ladies for, donations: Mrs Guy Lewis. 10s; Mrs Parsons, ss; Mrs Hodgson. 2s 6d.

WELCOMED HOME PRIVATE CLARKSON HONOURED. A large and representative gathering of local citizens attended the Odd Fellows Hall yesterday to welcome home Private M. Clarkson, a member of the First Echelon and who was invalided home from Egypt following an of rheumatic fever. The Mayor, Ml W. Olsen, presided and the function opened with the singing of the National Anthem. A vocal solo by Mr Max Smith was greatly enjoyed. Mr Olsen said that they had met that day to welcome home one of the soldiers they had farewelled less than twelve months ago. Unfortunately for Private Clarkson he had contracted a serious illness while in Egypt. He was the first Eketahuna soldier to return home from the war. The citizens of the town deeply appreciated his sacrifice, realising that Private Clarkson had left fully prepared to bear arms in the defence of everything that was decent, and had only failed through having been stricken with sickness. Mr Olsen said that if Private Clarkson joined the Eketahuna R.S.A. he would have the honour of being the first 'local returned man of the new army to become a member. Mr A. B. Fordyce, vice-president of the R.S.A., after a most interesting address, extended a hearty welcome home to Private Clarkson on behalf of the R.S.A. The Eketahuna branch, he said, would be delighted to make him a member of the association. Mr Olsen, on behalf of the citizens of the borough, handed Private Clarkson a cheque, and extended to him their best wishes and a speedy return to health. The recipient was then accorded musical honours. Private Clarkson, in reply, gave a most interesting account of the voyage to Egypt, his experiences of camp life in the desert, his impressions of Cairo, and of the various stages of the journey back to New Zealand. He concluded by thanking the people of Eketahuna for the warm welcome home and the good wishes extended. It was good to be back to see his old friends again.

Mrs D. Ryan rendered a most appreciated solo, and Mrs A. Gyde contributed humorous monologues which were much enjoyed. The Eketahuna Ladies’ Committee provided afternoon tea, after which Private Clarkson displayed many souvenirs collected during his travels, these being very interesting. School Excursion. On Wednesday afternoon the girls of the Secondary Department ol" the Eketahuna District High School travelled by train to Masterton to see the Coronation picture and the Centennial Art Exhibition. The girls were given an address by Mrs Murray-Fuller, on the Coronation picture particularly, then on the historical aspect of the sketches, portraits and scenes depicted in the other exhibits. The girls then spent some time viewing the paintings, their remarks and appreciation fully justifying the organisation of the party.