FAREWELL TO M. P.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 201, 19 August 1940, Page 4

FAREWELL TO M. P.

lieutenant a. g. hultquist GATHERING AT AWAKERI Lieutenant and Mrs A. G. Hultquist, Avere the guests of the people of the Awakeri district last Friday, evening, when a farewell gathering, promoted by the local branch of the Labour Party took place ixi the hall. Representatives from town and district attended, including a company of Maoris from Poroporo, who also provided several items in the course of the programme. The time passed all tc? quickly in dancing and entertainment, the music for the former being supplied by the Gaiety Boys' Orchestra. At a suitable intei'val Mr J., W. Sumner, on behalf of the local bodies of the district conveyed his good wishes to Lieut Hultquist, whom he said liad ably represented the Bay of Plenty electorate during his double terra of office. Mr J. D. C'olebrook spoke on hehalf of the Edgecumbe branch, and Mr J. Maunder for the Awakeri branch.. The latter in presenting the guest of the evening with a cheque said that one and all his friends in the district joined in wishing him the best of luck and a safe return to New Zealand. I

Mr Mack Patorii, of Poroporo, spoke for the, Maori community. He was .followed by a Maori lady who presented Lieut Hultquist with a greenstone tiki for 'good lueli.' Musical honours were lustily givQn by the assemblage. Responding, Lieut Hultquist expressed his deepest thanks to the friends who had been responsible for the promotion of the evening. He had entered camp eight months ago, he said, because he felt it his duty to do so. He had never regretted his decision, and considered there was nothing, finer for any man than military litfe. He could speak with the authority of one who had risen from the ranks when he said that the spirit of comradeship which pervaded all ranks was one of the greatest things in life. Both he and Mrs Hultquist appreciated their good wishes and he trusted that in years-to come they would live long to enjoy the friendships they had formed.-in <;he district. Supper which was served by a band of ladies under the leadership of Mesdames H. W. Taylor and J. Maunder, was the next item, and was air that could be desired. Enjoj'able items given during the evening were as under: Poroporo school group, Pois and Hakas; Wallace and Molly Walton, pipe selections and Highland Dancing, Solos, Miss Raymond. Apologies for absence Avere announced from Messrs A. F. Moncur, M.P., J. L. Burnett, W. A. McCrackcn and Les Luxton. Mr T. Atkinson made a very cap-fl able M.G.