FAREWELL COMMITTEE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 6, 18 September 1942, Page 5

FAREWELL COMMITTEE

RAISING FURTHER FUNDS

SUBSCRIPTION LIST OPENED

Ways and means for the raising of funds in the interests of the Whakatane Town and Count 1-3- Soldiers' Farewell Committee, was the sub' ject of discussion at last Wednesday's public meeting convened by His AVorship the Mayor and Mr S. S. Shapley, commitce chairman.

Those present included Messrs S. S. Shapley (in the chair), B. S. Barrj*, A. J. Canning, Melsaac, A. Hall, L. Huddle, F. B. Cutler, C. F. Thomas, T. Atkinson, W. A. Armstrong and the secretary, W. Henderson. Apologies Avere received, from Messrs L. W. Lux ton and C. S. Armstrong. Opening the meeting Mr Shapley sketched briefly the history of the committee which he said had been called into being two and a half 3'ears ago. The operations of the committee in the earlier stages, lie said had been most successful,, particularly Avhen combined parades

were possible through the town. As time went on however and parades were.no longer possible owing to transport and the smallness of the number of men departing, the various district committees decided that they would like to stage their own farewells. This had been done and wherever possible the Mayor and members of the committee had attended. these functions and made "the presentations. Altogether there had been no less, than 520 men farewelled from this district. He hoped that the movement would be carried on and suggested that if it were the popular desire that it should, a target of £100 should be aimed at to be collected -within the next fortnight. In the ensuing discussion, all speakers were emphatic on the point that the farewells should be continued at all costs. It was, it was claimed the least the town could do and would be a slur 011 the community if they were discontinued. Mr Barry said that the ceremony, aiso appealed strongly to the parents many of whom had come to him personally ifnd expressed. Lheii; appreciation. The- secretary stated that it was twelve months since the committee had made its last appeal and on that occasion £80 had been collected irom the town. Altogether £238 had, been expended 011 presentations. After a brief discussion it was decided to open a subscription list in the Beacon and to set the objective at £100, which if not achieved within a fortnight would be supple-

mented by a canvass*.