LOCAL TROOPS LEAVE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 105, 3 January 1940, Page 5

LOCAL TROOPS LEAVE

TANEATUA FAREWELL PRESENTATION TO MEN

A bumper house - last Tuesday evening adequately rewarded the members of the Taneatua Red Cross Society for their efforts in arranging a farewell to troops on linai leave. Visitors were present iron" Auckland, Rotorua, Tauranga, Opotiki and Whakatane. Some confusion and delay was caused the promoters by the non-arrival of local body representatives who were expected from Whakatane. However | the original programme was carried (out and with the aid of the excellent music rendered by Havdens Band a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent. Mr A. McGougan addressed the boys and thanked tljcm for their patriotism and loyalty and expressed the pride of the entire community in their willingness to serve. He realised the occasion was tinged with sadness and assured the lads that the efforts ol' the committee on their behalf were not going to stop with that function. He then presented each of the following with a wallet containing a note. SergeantMajor G. Fowler, Privates R. and L. Rawson. sons of Mr and Mrs J. Rawson, Opouriao; Frank Mead, son of Mr and Mrs V. Mead, Taneatua; Herbert Davies, son of Mr T. Davies Opouriao; Hick Rust, son of Mrs J. Miers, Tauranga. Mr F. Skelton was handed a wallet for his brother who was unable to be present. The thanks of the committee are due to Major Prideaux for his attendance, and to Major Thomas for distributing ten pounds to the other troops present. This sum represented the surplus after the local presentations had been arranged. Mr G. C. Peebles carried, out the duties of M.C. and the ladies of the Red Cross Committee under the leadership of the president/ Mrs Eric Hill.