Day the local St. Patrick's Society gave a dinner at the Astor House which was attended by a large number of members and their guests who sat down under the chairmanship of their president, Mr. D. P. Gniffiths, with Mr. J. J. Dunne in the vice-chair. The ball room was especially decorated for the occa sion, the scheme including the various flags of the Empire and also a large Irish flag behind the president's seat, while each of the guests was given a box of chocolates put up with the traditional green hat and shillelagh on the top.
Following an excellent menu, and the honouring of the usual loyal itoest, the president proposed "Our returned heroes" and in doing so welcomed back to their midst those who had fought in the great war. It was to men such as they, he said, that the British Empire owed a debt of gratitude for the help they had given to Great Britain and her Allies to emerge victorious from the struggle—between right and might.
Mr. J. McDowell in response, said that the best of those who went had left their bones in France: the best of men from Ireland, Scotland, England and the Allied countries they would never see again. He commented on the fine showing during the war that Irish soldiers had made. The brogue had been an element in every regiment and had faithfully carried on the traditions of its country. He regretted that, owing to circumstances over which they had no control, Ireland had not made a_ greater showing in accordance with her traditions, but he urged them to accept the shamrock as their true sign and looking forward rather than backward, work for the good of their country, the Empire and the world at large.
Mr. W. Ward briefly supported the last speaker's remarks, after which Mr. J. J. Dunne proposed the toast of the guests, which was responded to by Mr. Gavin Campbell, representing the St. Andrew's Society. The toast list closed with the honouring of the name of the late president, whom Mr. Griffiths described as the best president th: society ever had, and Mr. H. P. Wilkinson suitably responded.
The rest of the evening was given over to harmony the contributors to the programme being Capt. Morley Peel, Mr. Begdon, the society's piper, Mr. Oscar Young. Mr. Murphy and Mr. Graham Barrow.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.