SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 115, 9 June 1941, Page 5

SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED

FAREWELL AT POROPORO > MOST ENJOYABLE FUNTION The Poroporo liall was crowded to the doors on Thursday evening when soldiers on Jeave were farewelled by the residents of that district the Whakatane District Soldices' Farewell Committee and the R.S.-A. The Poroporo folk had all arrangements well in hand and the function proved most enjoyable. The M.C. Mr Kelly Hotene extended a welcome to the Mayor of Whakatane and representatives of other organisations and then asked Cpl. Rehu to parade the soldiers present! This in itseilf was a feature of the evening, the ten men in khaki treating the crowd to a display of exceptionally smart drill. Farewell addresses werei made by Mr Te Keepa, M»r Hone Moeke and Mr Herewano, the Rev Mr Rangi acting as interpreter. The three Maori speakers extended the best wishes of the people to those men! who would be going overseas, staging that they were confident that they would uphold the traditions of their forefathers and bring honour upon themselves. Mr B. S. Barry, Mayor of Whakatane, representing the Borough and County Farewell Committee, in. handing the men wallets stated that he was confident that they would uphold the great and glorious traditions of Maori race, which coulcL be traced as far back as history could be remembered. To those traditions were added the gloTy won bjr the Maori Battalion on Greece and Crete, and in joining their comrades overseas he was surethe men would further the undying, name the Battalion had made for itself. Mr Runciman, representing the R.S.A., also spoke stating that thei Association wast behind the men oil the Home front and would do every-' thing to assist them and their dependents. . Addressing the gathering in botK Maori and English, the Rev. J. G. Laughton said that the older people owed the soldiers an everlasting; - gratitude for defending all that was; held dear by the- race. He added ills' •i r M e'ood wishes. ; '5 The men farewelled were Cpl-' v Rchu, Privates 1 Ratahi, W. Ratahv T. Roiliana, 11. Renetu, M. HoteneJ W. Hoi, B. Ngoungou and D. Dodd.'f RUATOKI EVENT ; MANY SOLDIERS PRESENT The farewell held at Ruatoki on Friday evening was exceptionally outstanding, in addition to the local men who were being farewell* ed, a further fifty being present inkliaki. These were members of the East Coast Maori Battalion whowere making a tour of the Bay. .»* Valedictory speeches were made T>y principle residents of the district including Chief Talcaroa Tamaro» and the Rev. W. Rangi. Mr B, S. Barry, Mayor of Whakatane, was present and on behalf of the? district Farewell Committee made presentations. Mr Boswell, representing the R.S.A. also spoke. During the evening the programme was enlivened ; by hakas led by Tui Tawera while the young ladies delighted those, present with poi and canoe songs.