AWAKERI SOCIAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 48, 16 February 1943, Page 4

AWAKERI SOCIAL

GUNNER J. JOHNSON HONOURED A very pleasant dance and social was. held in the home of Mr and Mrs J. Jordan at Awakeri on the. 6th inst. when Gunner Jack Johnson was honoured by friends and representatives of the Awakeri Farewell Committee. Two rooms had been cleared and these, proved most suitable for dancing. Mr R. Ferguson was M.C. -\vhile music was kindly provided by Miss Simpson and Messrs Peace and Thompson. Besides. dancing some happy community singing was indulged in while a whistling solo by Miss M. Kilbride was thoroughly appreciated by all. The guest of the evening convulsed his audience with a rendering of "Paddy McGinly's Goat." * The secretary of the Farewell Committee, Mr T. F. Kerr, speaking on behalf of those present said, that the war situation was so much improved that saying farewell to one of the boys: was not such an unpleasant task as formerly. He said that with a name like Jack Johnson the guest should be. a thoroughly competent fighter if he should ever baVe to act as such. On wishing Jack the best* of .luclf, the speaker handed him a money belt'and contents and a wallet such as is given to all servicemen in the Whakatane area. Gunner Johnson briefly returned thanks and sang the solo referred to above. Dancing and community singing then proceeded till midnight when the singing of Auld Lang Syne terminated a very happy gathering.