EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1942, Page 5

EKETAHUNA

PATRIOTIC COUNCIL ENTERTAINS SOLDIERS. (“Times-Age” Special.) The Odd Fellows’ Hall was packed on Monday evening when local soldiers were entertained by the Patriotic Council. They were Signaller Alex Leslie, Pte. Phil Payne and Pte. W. Robdrtson. . , Mr W. Olsen (mayor) presented each soldier with a well-filled wallet on behalf of the citizens of the town. A parcel of woollen comforts was handed to each soldier by. Miss M. Anderson, president of the Borough Ladies’ Soldiers’ Comforts Committee.

Beautiful shoulder sprays of spring flowers and maiden-hair fern were presented to the wives and mothers of the guests of honour. The mayor stated that Signaller Alex Leslie had two brothers in the forces and that his grandfather was a very old resident of the town and one of the first storekeepers, the firm being known as Jones and Shute. His grandmother, Mary Ann Hodder, was a member of a well-known Wairarapa family. His great-grandfather was one of the early pioneers of Masterton, he being the late Mr Henry Jones. Private Payne was the fourth member of the family to be in the forces and was on the staff of the Post and Telegraph Department. Pte. Robertson, before coming to Eketahuna, lived at Te Rangitumau for a number of years. All the soldiers were married men. The following orchestra provided the dance music:—Piano, Mrs R. Houlbrooke; saxophone, Mr A. Rowden; bass fiddle, Mr P. Bouzaid. The supper was in the capable hands of the Borough Ladies’ Soldiers’ Comforts Committee. Mr H. Rogers acted as M.C. The shoulder sprays were made by Miss A. Anderson.