OFFICERS AND N.C.O.'S

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 93, 27 November 1939, Page 5

OFFICERS AND N.C.O.'S

MAORI TRAINEES FAREWELL AT ROTORUA A farewell to the 31 Maori recruits selected as officers and N.C.O's of the Maori Battalion Avas given at the Tunuhopu meeting house at Ohinemutu on Wednesday evening. 'At the dinner, 250 people AA T ere present, and there Avere quite 400 at the fareAvell which followed. The dinner AA-as presided over by Mr H. Tai Mitchell, C.M.G. Speakers at the meeting were Mr H. Tai Mitchell, Chief Te Naere, Hatupiparihi, Ruhiparuru (Horohoro), Wharekure, Wirihana, TiakiaAva (Mouera), D. Park, Captain H. D. Dansey, Mr A. F. Moncur, M.P., and the Mayor, Mr T. Jackson. The returned soldiers, both Maori and pakeha, Avere represented by Captain Walker, Mr W. Dennan, and the Rev K. T. HaraAvira. Replies on behalf of the volunteers to the farewell so enthusiastically tendered them were made by Ser-geant-Major P. G. Mcintosh and Cap tain Rangi Royal.

Names of Trainees, Included in the number selected to train as officers and N.C.O's are two from Whakatane, Horton O. Stewart, and Morgan Wells, and one from Matata, Edward Howell. These :men left on Friday morning. The names of those who left Rotorua for training are as follows:— Commissioned Officers: Royal, Rangi, Werohia, Whetu. Officers: Morgan, Edward (Eruera); Kuru, 'George Arapeta; Vercoe, Henry Te Rupe; Mitchell, Ariariterangi; Anaru Wi Patene; Kingi, Tukino. Potential Officers: Waaka, Kuru; Pene, Manu Ruhi; Tingston, Gyrus. Senior N.C.O.'s: Wiremu, Himi; Vercoe, William; Wikiriwhi, Rewi; War- " brick, Alfred Patiti; Haronga, Donald Harawira; Te Hau, George. . Junior N.G.O.'s: Heretaunga, Hiini; Warihi, James; Mcßae, Alfred Edward; Whiti, Matangi; Francis, Mita; Matehaere, James; Ruhi, Donald; Watene, Bartlett Mahinui; Rangi, Tenga; Mitchell, Mackenzie; .'Bird, George Gabrielle.