TO-MORROW'S CEREMONY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 90, 16 July 1943, Page 5

TO-MORROW'S CEREMONY

THE CIVIC WELCOME MAYOR'S INVITATION "I dtesire to extend' a cardial invitation to all men who have returned from overseas, after serving in the air, sea or land forces, and who have been repatriated home at any period since the war began, to participate in the special cityic welcome to be extended to-mor-row at 12.15 p.m. It isi hoped to make the occasion of the return of so many men of the First, Second and 1 Third Echelon, one by which the town's sincere welcome can be extended to all men who have served and I make this appeal to men in town and county to attend this combined ceremony." In this statement to the Beacon, the Mayor of Whakatane,, Mr B. S. Barry, has sought publicity for tomorrow's public welcome home to the men of the armed forces now on leave. Parade at Rock The parade will muster at Pohaturoa Rock at 12.15 a*nd will comprise the men on leave, all repatriated and demobilised men, members of the R.S.A. and the Pipe and Boys Bands. The parade will move off down the Strand to the Winter Show Building where addresses will be delivered by the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, the County Chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett,,' the president of the R.S.A., Mr J. H. Delves, and two Maori speakers yet to be contacted. Following the ceremony, arrangements have been made for light refreshments to be served by the ladies organisations. A Special Effort/ Mr C. A. Head, secretary of the R.S.A., said that a special effort is being made to bring to town every member available in order to do honour to the fighting men of the younger generation. Numerous suggestions from private people have been submitted as to just what should be done by way of entertainment of the men. now on leave. These range from a complimentary smoko and dinner to a 'Grand Welcome Ball' on a big scale. All these things can come later as undoubtedly they will, but it is felt that in the meantime the town's first duty is to extend its civic welcome.