LOCAL VOLUNTEERS FAREWELLED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 139, 27 March 1940, Page 5

LOCAL VOLUNTEERS FAREWELLED

2nd. ECHELON MEN PARADE

LARGE CIVIC GATHERING

INSPIRING ADDRESS BY MAYOR

The town was thronged last j Thursday evening when members of Ihe Second Echelon, drawn from "Whakatane and the adjacent district were officially farewelled at a civic gathering in the Winter Show Hall. The men paraded from the Roclc nvhere they were escorted . by iguard composed of veterans of the last war who turned out in even greater numbers than on the previous occasion Avhen the first volunteers were farewelled. Headed by the CaleW .iian Society's Pipe Band playing the sprightly measures of 'The Cock of the North' the parade moved off at 7.30 p.m., the local boys being warmly cheered as they marched between the lane of the 'hundreds who lined the street. Mr Barry"s Remarks. The Winter Show Hall was packed to capacity, the volunLeers and the Returned men occupying the central 'position, and the official party comprising His "Worship the Mayor, Mr 13. S. Barry and Mrs Barry, the Deputy-Mayor. Mr S. S.•Shapley, the County Chairman, Mr : J. 1.. Burnett, the President of tlic local branch of the R.S.A., Mr N. McDonald and the Maori representatives, Messrs Keepa Tawhio and Ben Biddle occupying the dais. '•'Once more we are gathered together to say farewell to those men of our community who have volunteered to serve their country and their Empire," said Mr Barry in addressing the crowd, "On this occasion our thoughts turn to Maori •and Pakcha alike who are fighting side by side in the greatest cause Tve know." 'But the Line Held!' Referring to the official history of the Auckland Mounted Rifles in the Great War, Mr Barry read an extract relating to the defence of Walkers Ridge on CJallipoli in 1915. in which the Whakatane troop had, against overwhelming odds, held a vital part of the line and covered themselves with glory. The passage •concluded with-the intimation that in spite of half the gallant little band becoming casualties, —'the line held!" The fact that four of the mien actually engaged in the epic 'incident were present in the hall that evening was the signal for an outburst of applause/ "I give you these few words: 'The line held, as an ideal and an inspiration," said Mr Barry. "You are embarking on ■"what is probably going to be the greatest adventure of your lives. You have great traditions behind you, but you have immediate traditions to live up to in the gallant stand by the little band of men in the last Avar. When your time •comes we know that you too will carry out your duty in the same manner, so that you too will be able to look back as your predecessors ean and say—-The line held On behalf of the citizens of Whakatane I wish you good luck and above all a safe return to our midst. Farewell." County Chairman's Tribute. the men on their willingness to serve, Mr J. L, Burnett, County Chairman, said that they held the gratitude and admiration of all present. Though it was with mixed feelings they assembled there,"* war had its lighter side. There was the comradeship of the Army which he claimed was second to none and the friendships made were more lasting than any that could be made -in civil life. He advised them to make the best •of their leave when abroad and to see all there *was to be seen. He wished them all a safe return to 'God's own country. The Maori Speakers. Mr Keepa Tawhio spoke for the Maori people in town, saying that it was a symbol of the units'- of the two races to see Maori and Pakelia marching away to fight in the common cause. He urged the men of the Matatua tribe to go forward in the fearless spirit of tfeeir ancestors and to fight riot only far themselves but for those whom they left behind. Above all they were to realise that it was Christianity for

FAREWELL EVENING

which they had taken up arms. In bidding them farewell, he urged them to be strong and courageous. Mr Ben Biddle for the county Maoris drew attention to the recent Centennial when both races had gathered to mark the attainment of a great anniversary. The gathering that night was equally important. Maori and Pakelia were united in the light for the Empire. "Be united then with the Pakelia," lie said, "fight, as one in everything that comes before you: fight for your Empire* your country, and your King." ■ In both the above instances Mr A. O. Stewart acted as interpreter* R.S.A. Acting as Comrades; Mr N. McDonald, for the Returned Soldiers' Association, reminded the men that as soon as they went overseas, they became eligible to join up as 'diggers," While they were away they could rest assured that their inlerests would be watched by their new comrades. During the following intervals Mrs B. S. Barry presented an eversharp pencil to each of the men on parade, wishing them luck and a safe return. Whole-hearted cheers for volunteers, fairly lifted the roof, while the musical honours which followed bore the full sincerity of the crowded audience. The chief of the Caledonian Society, Mr Symons, took the opportunity of presenting to Corporal 'Bill' Craig, a special token from the society. The Men's Appreciation. Captain Le Lievre briefly returned the thanks of the men. It was an occasion of conflicting emotions, but he could assure all returned men that those in camp to-day were very much the same as those \vho fought twenty years agoi "In my opinion," he saidj, "they arc a very fine crowd of fellows. They refer to each other as 'Diggers' but they haven't yet learnt why they are ! called 'Diggers.' They'll jolly soon know." The night's proceedings concluded with the singing of Auld Lang Syne. The Men on Leave. Those on parade were as under : Capt C. A. Le Lievre; Cpl D. S. Hume; Pte F. Moody; Gunners G.A. Arasell, J. C. Manderson; Pte DB. Stark; Cpl A. E. Moore; Pte R. Hurren; Gnr C. Stewart; Cpl J. P. Burgess; Sapper V. Hay ward; Pte J. H. Erskine; Tpr W. J. Ryan; Cpl G. C. Peebles; Dvr E'. A. Stewart; Pte H. S. Callagher, Pte E. S. Bui lot, Pte R. Penny; Cpl J. M. Denham; Spr P. M. HoAvell; Spr R. F. Rendall; Pte J. M. Logan, Pte W. Foote; Cpl W. Craig: C.Q.M.S. C. F. C. Sainty; Cpl E. Howell. Maori Battalion: Pte L. Hataraka, Pte E. Riini, Pte W. Hauwai, Pte K. Wahapango, Pte K. Kingi; Cpl G. Bluett; Pte W. WhareAvera, Pte T. Rangiaho, Pte W. Sullivan, Pte T, Tihi, Pte W. Pirini, ' Pte R. Hohua, Pte H. Rangihika, Pte T. K. Waaka. Pte E. H. McCausland, and Lieut H. O. Stewart.

SOLDIERS OF 2ND ECHELON" A farewell dance was given to four of the Waimana-Nukuhou soldiers of the 2nd Echelon, in the Waimana Hall last week. They were Lance Corporal Arthur Kinsella, Private Hedley Wickens, and Privates Peter Tape and Bill August of the Maori Battalion. The dance music Avas contributed by Mr and Mrs King' and Mr Perfect* extras were given by Mr A. Ward law, Miss M. Wardhnv and Miss McCoancll. Mr A. Wardlaw most capably acted as M.C. During the evening vocal duets Were rendered by Mr F. Ruff and Mr J. Connelly, and were much enjoyed.

After supper had been served by the ladies. Mr N. Macdonald, in well chosen 'words, said all present were to do honour to four young men who have volunteered to do their duty, and he wished to extend from all the residents of Waimana and Nukuhou good luck and best wishes to all, and asked each> soldier to accept an envelope, hoping the contents would be useful. Lance Corporal Kinsella, most suitably responded for all the boys, and thanked all for the most enjoyable evening given them and for. the gifts, which were much appreciated. All joined in singing "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows" Dancing continued until a late hour, when the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem closed the evening. Among those present were: Mes- ; dames Woolfield, G rover* King, Marra, D. Bell, H. Bell. Dick Ward law, I. Savage, Hampton, Misses M. Woolfield; B. Bell,, A. Burnett, M. Wardlaw, J. McConnell, Amy Ruff, Wragge, K. Doran, M. Doran, K. Walton, Agnes Ruff, S. Addison, E. Doran, M. Ruff, R. Macdonald, E. Addison, M. Hughes, R. Hughes.