TROOPS FAREWELLED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 306, 16 May 1941, Page 5

TROOPS FAREWELLED

FUNCTION AT WHAKATANE

LARGE CROWD AT SHOW BUILDINGS

The capacious Winter Show Hall was crowded with residents of town and district on Wednesday night wheal, at a dance organised by the Women's War Service Auxiliary and the Home Guard, men on leave from camp were officially farewelled. Dancing to the music of Mrs ' Armstrong's orchestra: continued untill an early hour, Mr A. J. Atkinson,, as M.C. keeping the programme interesting,. During the evening in the absence, of the Mayor, Mr G. Otley addressed the gathering. The men being farewelled were piped into the hall b3' Piper W. Howat amid enthusiastic applause from the attendance. Mr Otley extended to the men best wis,lies on behalf of the community, wishing them the best time possible under the circumstances in which they were leaving. He then called on Mr Runciman, who in the absence of the president of the Returned Soldiers' Association, also congratulated the men on joining the colours/ and added the best wishes of those men who had many years ago made a similar journey.' Presentations from the District Soldiers 1 Farewell Committee and the Borough Farewell Committee were made, the officers and men honoured being : 2nd Lieut. H. Cutler, 2nd Lieut Stark, Q.M,Sgt. A. Shirley, Cpl. Tufob, Gunner Goodall,. Sapper 11. Pickles, P'tes V. Percy, T.Hourigan, R. Thorn, J. Reenberg, N. Warner and J. Hodgson. In addition to farewcllingi the soldiers present, Mr Otley extended a welcome home: to Captain C, Thomas Who recently arrived in Whakatanc invalided from Egypt.