AT SMITHFIELD WORKS.
MR H. J . BLACKMORE.
Yesterday morning tile employees of the Smithfield Freezing Works assembled in strong force to bid farewell and make a presentation to Mr H. J. Blackmore, fitter in the engineering shop at the works, who leaves to-day for Trentham as a member of the Tenth Reinforcements. The place of assemblage was the fitting shop which had been artistically befagged for the occasion.
Mr J. Aitcheson, chief engineer and works manager, presided, and in presenting Mr Blackmore, on behalf of all the employees, with a silver wristlet watch suitably inscribed, and a silver wristlet compass, expressed the regret they all felt at parting from one with whom they had been associated for so long. Their departing comrade, he said, had proved a capable as well as a very popular worker, and one who, while always doing his assigned task thoroughly, was always unostentatious. Though he never had much to say, they had long since learned that his heart was in the right place. They admired his going to the war, and especially were they pleased with his action in volunteering because they know he was going in the right spirit — not in a spirit of adventure, but because he felt it to be a matter of duty. He would take with him their very best wishes which included the hope that he would return with stripes. (Applause.)
Mr S. Robinson, Mr Rollitt, and Mr W. W. King (the latter on behalf of the clerical staff) also spoke in terms of warm appreciation of their departing comrade, and wished him the best luck that could possibly befall him at the war.
Mr Blackmore in reply, thanked his comrades for their very useful gifts, and especially for the very kindly statements which accompanied them. It was always a hard task to say farewell to friends, and he found it harder than anything he expected to be called upon to do at the war. He was going away, not to seek a fortune, but to endeavour to do a duty which thousands had already done, and thousands were doing, at the present moment, and doing it well. (Hear, hear.) When the war was ended in favour of Britain and her Allies, as they all hoped it soon would would, he hoped to return and take up his old position at Smithfield, where he felt honoured to have so many good friends. He would say au revoir, but not goodbye and could only thank them from depths of his heart for all the kindness and consideration they had shown him. (Applause.)
The gathering ended with cheers and the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."
The Christchurch Meat Company have promised to keep Mr Blackmore's place open for him on his return. -Timaru Herald, 16/11/1915.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
THE Friends of the late HARRY JOHN BLACKMORE. are respectfully informed that his Funeral will leave his late home, Maori Hill, THIS DAY (Tuesday), 6th inst.. at 2.30 p. m., for the Timaru Cemetery.
J. RADCLIFFE, Undertaker.
S.C. RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.
Returned Soldiers and Soldiers on leave, are requested to parade at the Soldiers' Institute at 1.30 p.m., THIS DAY (Tuesday), August 6, to attend the Funeral of the late Private H. J. Blackmore. Permission has been granted to wear uniform. -Timaru Herald, 6/8/1918.
MILITARY FUNERAL.
PRIVATE H, J. BLACKMORE.
The remains of the late Private H J Blackmore were interred in the Timaru cemetery yesterday afternoon with full military honours, Captain A. N. Oakey, M C., having detailed one of his staff to make the necessary arrangements for this. The coffin, draped with the Union Jack, was carried on the gun carriage, on either side of which marched members of the Returned Soldiers' Association, who also acted as pall-bearers at the house and at the cemetery. The cortege was a long one, the deceased soldier, having been a very popular young man. Mr J. Craigie, M.P., was among those present. The procession was headed by the Band of the Second (South Canterbury) Regiment, under Bandmaster Schnack, an added impressiveness being given by their playing of the Dead March at intervals en route. The service at the graveside was conduced by the Rev. T. A. Joughin, President of the Methodist Conference, who made reference to the unassuming but sterling character of the deceased, who, he remarked, had just as truly served his God and country as if he had attained the highest rank and been killed in the thick of the fighting. After the service a firing party, composed of returned soldiers, under Sergeant-Major Gracie, fired a volley over the grave and the ceremony ended with "The Last Post."
Among a number of beautiful floral tributes which were sent was one from the employees of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company's Smithfield works, where deceased was employed as an engine-fitter prior to enlisting in 1915. A number of his late, fellow employees attended the funeral and the flag at the works was flown at half-mast. -Timaru Herald, 7/8/1918.
LEVELS COUNTY COUNCIL
MONTHLY MEETING (excerpt)
The chairman made sympathetic reference to the death of the late Private H. J. Blackmore, who, he remarked, was a young man of much promise, and a brother to Mr Blackmore, who for a great many years had been associated with the Council as a Press representative at their meetings. He was sure that every member of the Council would sympathise with Mr Blackmore in the loss of his brother, and he would ask them to express that sympathy. A motion of sympathy was passed by silent vote, all councillors standing. -Timaru Herald, 5/9/1918.
ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.
MEETING OF COUNCIL.
A meeting of the Council of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was held at Temuka yesterday. Present: — Messrs H. Goodwin, president (in the chair), J. E. Pigott, C. E. Stickings, A. E. Lewis, G. A. M. Macdonald, H.. T. Clinch, and E. Blackmore.
On the motion of Mr Lewis and the chairman a motion of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Private H. J. Blackmore, who, it was remarked, had been a life member of the Society, an enthusiastic angler, and a good sportsman. -Timaru Herald, 6/9/1918.
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