OTIAKE NOTES.
(From Our Own Correspondent)
We have been called upon to part with another of our young men, Private James McGimpsey of the Sixteenth Reinforcements, who is at present on final leave. A very large number gathered from all parts of the district — some even coming from as far as Oamaru — to bid Private McGimpsey farewell and to wish him a safe return to Otiake. Mr Jefferis on behalf of the residents presented the guest of the evening with a wristlet watch and a pocket wallet, suitably inscribed, and said that though the war looked brighter in every way, it was still necessary to keep the reinforcements up and wished Private McGimpsey a safe return to Otiake.
Mr Rodman (Oamaru) on behalf of the Oamaru Bible Class of which Private McGimpsey, while in Oamaru, was a member, presented the guest of the evening with a very handsome silver-mounted pocket book, and spoke of the sterling qualities of Private McGimpsey. Mr Rodman said he was sure while at the front he would uphold the fine record he had had in New Zealand.
"For he's a jolly good fellow," was then sung and three very hearty cheers were given for the guest of the evening, after which a verse of the National Anthem was sung.
Private McGimpsey then thanked the residents for their handsome gifts, also the Bible Class, and told them how highly he appreciated them, he also thanked the Red Cross for the parcel Mr Jefferis had just handed him, and said he thought Otiake Red Cross was doing very good work,
Songs were sung during the evening by Miss Ross (Otekaike), Messrs Martin and Densem (Kurow), and a pianoforte duel was given by Miss Eileen Hill and Miss McIlroy (Oamaru). Mr Richardson supplied the music in his usual manner, being assisted by Mr W. McGimpsey, while Mr John Sherriss made a very obliging M.C. Supper was handed round by the ladies and much appreciated by all. Dancing was kept up till a late hour, when the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought an enjoyable evening to a close. -North Otago Times, 24/7/1916.
Mr Jas. McGimpsey, killed in action at the Battle of Messines, was an active and earnest young worker in the Young Men's Bible Class and Christian Endeavour Society, who enlisted as soon as he arrived at military age. The Session wish to assure the relatives of their deep sympathy with them in their bereavement, and pray that the Heavenly Father may comfort and sustain them in their great sorrow. Our Honour Roll now holds 65 names. -Notrh Otago Times, 9/8/1917.
DROPS OF HERO BLOOD.
It will comfort many a stricken heart to-day to take solace in the thought that the gallant soldier whom they mourn, was called to that high dignity of making the supreme sacrifice in the desperate endeavour of duty nobly done. The epic narrative of the undying glory won by 'the brave sons of New Zealand in the bogs of Flanders thrilled us with admiration at the grit and heroism which the New Zealanders showed in the terrible ordeals during the month which has just passed into history. The men who have fallen have gone into a silence more majestic than life itself, for the memory of their heroic efforts "lives on, woven into the stuff of other men's lives.'' The lengthening casualty lists remind us of the stern struggle in which the great and small nations are engaged. During October, according to official figures, our troops in Flanders suffered 5302 casualties. The earlier lists announced over four thousand casualties. Of these, 950 were killed and 3052 wounded. To this heavy toll paid in the fighting between the 4th and 30th October must be added 1300 new casualties which are published this morning. These losses will be made good out of our accumulated reserves, while a large proportion of the wounded will recover. It is interesting to note, in this connection, that Dr Wood Hutchinson, lecturing before the Royal Society of Medicine, states, so says a cable message this morning, that of the wounded who survive for six hours, ninety per cent. recover, while the proportion is as high as ninety-eight per cent. if the wounded reach the hospitals, owing to the masterly anti-infection control. "Despite the colossal increase in the instruments of slaughter, this war," Dr Wood Hutchinson claims, "is one of the least deadly yet fought in comparison to numbers engaged." Almost since the outbreak of war New Zealand has been sending forward reinforcements drafts of 2500 every month hence, despite the heavy casualties, the New Zealand Division and Rifle Brigade need not fall below strength. Our brave sons went forward to do their duty in trying to win the world for righteousness and cleanse it of its shame. They tarried not to count the cost, and with their faces to the foe, hundreds of them are giving back to England the golden gift of life that future generations may have peace and hope. The broadening shadow which the losses suffered in this titanic struggle against the bestial enemy of civilisation, have cast across this fair land, will not shake our inflexible determination to see this thing through to victory. Before the world-resounding boom of war has died away, every true Britisher will fight on to ensure that the crusaders in the cause of Right shall seal the doom — the final full and everlasting doom — of brutal Might. There are huge gaps in the ranks to-day which must be filled; there are five thousand rifles which have fallen from the hands of our. brothers. Whatever the cost, the people of this peaceful and prosperous country will not falter. This is our fight, and having put our hand to the plough we shall not turn back. The seed has fallen on good ground; the crop is ripening to the harvest, and we are sure we shall not fail for lack of reapers:
No drop of hero-blood e'er runs to waste,
But springs eternal, Fountain pure and chaste,
For cleansing of men's souls from earthly grime.
Life knows no waste. The Reaper toils in vain,
In vain piles high his grim red harvesting —
His dread, red harvest of the slain!
God's wondrous husbandry is oft obscure,
But, without halt or haste, its course is sure,
And His good grain, must die to live again.
From this dread sowing, grant us harvest, Lord,
of Nobler Doing, and of Loftier Hope, —
An All-Embracing and Enduring Peace, —
A bond of States, a Tact of Peoples, based
On no caprice of royal whim, but on
Foundation mightier than the mightiest throne —
The Well-Considered Will of All the Lands,
Therewith — a simpler, purer, larger life,
Unhampered by the dread of War's alarms,
A life attuned to closer touch with Thee,
And golden-threaded, with Thy Charity
A sweeter Earth, — a Nearer Heaven — a World
As emulous in Peace as once in War,
And strlving ever upwards towards the Goal.
So, once again, through Death shall come New Life;
And out of Darkness, Light.
A concert in aid'of patriotic funds and for funds for farewelling soldiers from the district was given in the Otiake Hall last night by Mr D. H. Thomson's concert party. The hall was crowded, and every item was enthusiastically received, encores being frequently demanded. The programme, which opened with the New Zealand Athem sung by the whole audience, consisted of songs by Miss Collett and Miss Beth Colett, Messrs. H. Grenfell, Donaldson, A. Glass, H. G. Deal, T. L. Steel, and D. H. Thomson; duets by the Misses Collett; violin solos by Mr J. L, Steel; and quarfettes and glees by the party. The latter part of the programme was made up of plantation songs and melodies, interspersed with the customary jokes and local "gags," which greatly delighted the audience. The accompaniments were played by Miss Glen. The party was motored out by Messrs Patterson, Wilson, and Thomson, and were entertained at tea by Mrs. James McGimpsey and Mrs Robert Hill. At the conclusion of the concert votes of thanks were enthusiastically carried to the performers and to the gentlemen who had provided the motor cars. A dance followed, to which a large number remained. -North Otago Times, 2/11/1917.
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