WELCOME HOME DANCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 2, 25 August 1944, Page 5

WELCOME HOME DANCE

DISTRICT MEN HONOURED

LARGE CROWD ATTENDS

Brightly coloured strings of , flagsl and bunting backed 1 by . greenery of all descriptions made a gay setting for the large crowd which gathered at the Winter Show Buildings on Wednesday evening to welcome home over forty returned servicemen from the district. With the floor in excellent condi* tion, the Premier Dance Band sup 4 plying the, music, and Mr "Taffy''" Atkinson as M.C., there were cer-* tainly no dull moments, and every-* one, especially the guests in uni-« form had a thoroughly enjoyable time. The supper room was tastefully decorated with flags, greenery andspring flowers the whole setting}, reflecting credit on the ladies who performed the work. The supper itself was voted by one and all as one of the best yet tasted. In tb«r preparation and service of this the YV.W.S.A, } the Red the Caledonian, the Women's Institute and the Women's Returned Services' Association committees combined to»make the supper absolutely top-* moten. One item was rendered, this be-" Ing a vocal, "Put Your Arms Around? Me Honey" sung by a chorus led byMiss Jean Armstrong. The popularity of this feature was shown in na uncertain manner by the crowd who* thoroughly enjoyed every minute c? it. The Pipe Band was also well to» the fore and supplied music for cral very popular dances. At 10 p.m. an official welcome* was extended to the returned men. With the Pipe Band the, lead, the parade marched into the hall where the men took up their positions? Where the speakers, were waiting to extend to them a hearty welcome home on behalf of various bodies and organisations.

In wishing them all the best. His Worship the Mayor, Mr B. S. extended the men a veryhearty welcome back to their home town, and said that he hoped it would not be long before theyf would be in a, position to welcomehome all of the district, men whohad gone overseas. On behalf of the County Council Mr H. C. McCready addressed the parade, saying that it. was his wish, on behalf of the body for which he was speaking to extend to the men* * as hearty a welcome as they had, received anywhere. He also added* that it was his opinion that the people of the district, should do all> in their power to aid the men iru the difficult task of. rehabilitation. Endorsing the remarks of the pre? vious speakers, Mr G: Otley whqf spoke on behalf of the R.S.A. stated that, he wished to extend to the. men a very cordial welcome home» and hoped they would feel perfectly at home again in the life they; had given up in order to go over-* seas to fight. The R.S.A., he said K was at the service of the men and! he hoped they would regard it as* their own organisation and link upf with it at the earliest opportunity. Captain Bert Cutler replied on behalf of the returned men and added that he sincerely hoped it would not be long before the rest of New Zealand's men , at present overseas would be back home again. The public then joined in singing "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows" and "Maori Battalion" after which dancing continued. Following is a list of returned men who were among the guests present: Capt.. H. G. Cutler Capt. W. Shirley ? W. 0.2 F. Goodall, Sgt. W. Bridge/ Sgt. H. Righton, Sgt. R. Lees,, Sgt. Bob Rae;, Sgt. G. J. Partridge, S. E. Mahy, P. Gillespie, I>. G. Shepherd. M. J. Donaghy, A ! . C. Hodges, C. Cruse, S. Dent] Al£ Melville, R. M. C. Jones, D. M. Gillard, "Tubby" Wilson, Malaquin W. Sharkey A.' R-$, Knights, Kinniard D. Toake, A. Mc** iver, G. R. M. B. Cum-* mings., J. Rutterworth S. K. Re.hu, F. Malaquin K. \AI. Civil, D. White, J. Rae, Phifc A»* sorn, Bankier, O. Brockett P. Deinp-* sey/c. A. W. King,, Mi. Oj Parry. Apologies were received firoijji the following: Lt. Col. J. Goanolly, W. 6.2 R. J. Tubb, T, Patikura M. Nowland A. Ghambers, L. Walker,. P s AppiQby, Q* McPherson. C. Chamberlain A- W» W. Beattie. '