SECOND ECHELON MEN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 140, 29 March 1940, Page 5

SECOND ECHELON MEN

FAREWELL FUNCTION GATHERING AT TANEATUA Over Jour hundred people, constituting one of the largest gatherings in the township for some time, assembled in the Taneatua Hall on Easter 'Monday night to farewell the local members of the Second Echelon at a social promoted by the Taneatua Branch of the Red Cross Society. Dancing, to music by the. popular Ted Hay den's Embassy Band, was interspersed with items by Mr R. H. Hauesler and an entertainment group from Ruatoki. Mr T. Hill was M.C. Prior to supper Mr A. F. McGourgan, on behalf of the people of Taneatua, presented each of the soldiers with a cheque. He said the town and district was proud of them and knew that they would worthily tVnji 'Id all traditions and do justice tolftiemselves. Taneatua was well represented in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force and the boys could be counted on to do their utmost in the cause for which they had enlisted. Those of the Second Eehclon pre- • sent were: -Lieut'. A. Yeoman, Corporals J. Dcnham, B. M. Alexander, G. C. Peebles, S. Bluett, LanceCorporals R. Pipe, W. Lambert, E. and P. Moody, R. Hurron, G. Bluett, Drv. E. A. Stewait, and Gunr.- C. Stewart.

STATION SCENE

SOLDIERS FAREWELLED -CONCLUSION OF LEAVE The railway station platform at Taneatua was crowded on Wednesday morning when troops from that district and those south of the terminus boarded the train for Auckland at 8.30 a.m. 011 the conclusion of what is considered to be thenfinal leave. Soldiers and their friends and relatives began to arrive at about • eight o'clock and stood about in small groups. There was a. good deal of laughter but most of it was of the forced and not the careless type and in some instances the carefully •exercised restraint vanished as the ■moment for parting came, tearful farewells bearing evidence of the momentous occasion. The crowd on the platform cheered as the train dreiw out and this was echoed by the soldiers, Wvho leaned, with some risk, from near • side windows. At Wliakatane West more troops joined and the Taneatua scene was repeated, alibeit on a smaller scale. Those already on the train joined in the cheering as mothers, fathers, wives, sweethearts and friends wav■ed good-bye and shouted fervent -wishes for a safe return.

MAORI VOLUNTEERS FAREWELL AT STATION Three hundred Maoris assembled -at the Whakatane West Station yesterday morning for the purpose of taking final farewell to members of the Maori Battalion from this district. Under Lieut H. O. Stewart the men were drawn up in a single line and shook hands with practically all those who were present. Following •cheers from the crowd, Lieut Stew- , art briefly conveyed the appreciation of the men who were going away. They had thoroughly enjoyed their stay and could be depended •on to uphold tftte' proud traditions of their ancestors. • There was much cheering and liandwaving as the train pulled out.

PRESENTATIONS MADE , _ PAENGAROA SOLDIERS HONOURED Three popular Paengaroa boys, members of the Second Echelon, V. Wilkins, L. Wilkinson and G. Clark, honoured by residents of Paengaroa and district at a dance held on Saturday evening in the Paengaroa Hall,, arranged by the Patriotic Committee. A good muster passed an enjoyable evening to the music supplied i»y Messrs'G. Webber, J. Singleton, < (Continued fopt next coldinn).

W. Pile and L. Shepherd, while the duties of M.C. were efficiently carried out by Mr R„ McKenzie. During the supper interval, which was served by the committee members and many willing Mr I. Vercoe, president of the committee, presented each of the boys with an engraved wrist-watch, and on behalf of those present wished them God speed and a safe return to their families and friends. The Returned Soldiers* Association was represented by Mr J. Hodges, who also honoured the young men, while posies made by Miss F. McDowell Were presented by two small girls to the mothers of the boys. Three hearty cheers and Auld Lang Syne brought an enjoyable evening to a close.