WELCOME HOME BALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 94, 30 July 1943, Page 5

WELCOME HOME BALL

LOCAL SOLDIERS HONOURED

WEDNESDAY'S CAY EVENT

By common consent the Welcome Home Ball promoted by a special Citizens Committee and held in the Winter Show Building last Wednesday, was voted • a hundred per cent, sluccess. The event which attracted some 600 patrons was definitely one of the most outstanding social gatherings held in Whakatane in re•xent years, and will be long remembered! for its wonderful organisation and for the happy ■social spirit, which was never absent. As a Welcome Home gesture to the men now •on, furlough from the Mid'dle East, it could: not have been bettered. The hall had been beautifully de•corated with greenery so that the side wings resembled bowers and the •staging Stood out. in neat relief of punga leaves and bunting. Strings •of llags suspended from the ceiling gave the correct atmosphere to the gathering which" was lurthcr em.pbasised by the banner over the dais which read "Welcome Home to our Boys." Tlw. whole effect was a genuine tribute to the artistic taste and capabilities of the ladies committee. The music for dancing was supplied by the Gaiety Boys orchestra members of which excelled themselves, while once again Mr 1 afFy Atkinson was the capable M.C. The Whakatane Boys Band was also present and played several popular scl--ections which further enlivened the proceedings. Greetings Extended At 9.30 p.m. the Pipe Band which hiu\ earlier marched from the Rock plaj'cd the guests, of the evening into the hall to the accompaniment -of much chcering and applause. The men halted in front of the dais, from ■which His Worship the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, extended a formal wel- - conic and expressed the hope that their leij,vc vfould be thoroughly enjpyed. Supper was an event in itself being definitely the finest spread seen in this town for many a long day. The men on leave were the. guests :«t the first sitting and. did full justice to the delicious dishes which ■"were served. In the supper room -again the decorations were also worthy of comment, the greenery oilsetting the red, white and blue panels set out on the tables. The catering for this important section was in the hands of the W.W.S.A., Rexl Cross Society, Caledonian Society, Ngatiawa Patriotic Committee and Women's Returned Services Committee all of whom are to be congratulated on the wonderful success ol' .their undertaking.' The Items During the evening the proceedings were lightened by a number of items arranged by Mrs E. Armstrong. The Ruatoki Maori Concert Party lent a lively interlude when Irakas and poi dances, were received with popular applause. Exhibitions -of national dancing Avere provided by Misses Phyllis Rivett, Pat Ferguson and Lenore Butler. j\lu ch appreciated vocal items were supplied by Mrs Norman Carter,, Miss M. Don--ald, M>r Oscar Rice and W. 0.11. J. JVI. Denham while Mrs Larmer provided well rendered violin solos. Monte Carlo winners during the •evening were Mrs Dixon and Mr W. Russell, while the prize for lucky .partners in the Gay Gordons went to Mr Caulfield and Miss McKay. The whole programme went with -a swing from start to finish and a feature which was warmly appreciated by the more elderly patrons was the provision of a number of ■ easy chairs in the alcoves llanking the stage. As a result some £60 was taken .at the door and it is anticipated by the. committee that approximately £45 will be- handed over to the Red Cross.. The evening was well worthy of the occasion and we join in complimenting its promoters on their ■enthusiasm and careful organisation. On the committee's behalf we extend thanks to the Winter Show Association for the free use of the building, and all others who assisted in any way towards the success of the evening. The following is a list of some of the returned men present at the ■dance: Dvr K. Lyons, Sgt S. Miller. JVlajor C. F. Thomas, Sgt Max Becker, Pte W. Merrlc, Pte P. Hay ward, Pte D. J. Wilson, Pte C. Hooper, Pte

W. Gallagher, Pte 1). McDonald. Sgt A. E. Shaw,, Ptc H. Nuku, Pte Mac Howell,. Sgt E. Riini, Pte A. Stark, Pte 11. K. McDonald, AV.0.11 J. M. Den ham, Dvr Ray Crapp, Pte B. Becker,, L/Sgt T. Wharcwera, Ptc J\ Ansel), Lieut P. Warbrick, Col. Prideaux, Pte S. Perenara, Pte B. Hohepa, Pte E. Styger, Pte J. K. Mooney, ~L/Cpl H. Kendall, Sgt B. J. Brosnahan, Sgin L. S. Grant, Pte W. R. Drcnt.