HEREMAI! HEREMAI!

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 28, 30 November 1945, Page 5

HEREMAI! HEREMAI!

WELCOME HOME DANCE RETURNED MEN THE GUESTS' ''ft is with pleasure that f extend on behalf of the Borough a very ° 9 hearty welcome home to you men who have recently returned l'rom overseas. We are. all pleased to see you home again and 1 am sure that you are all pleased to be back in your home town once more. 1 am sure that all present will join with me in wishing you the very best of health and success for the future." Thus did His Worship the Mayoi\ Mr J3. S. Barry extend a welcome to the large number of returned men present at the dance held in their honour at the Caledonian Hall on AVednesday evening. There was a large crowd dancing and the atmosphere of open friendliness which pervaded the gathering was unmistakeable. The Premier Band once again supplied the music whilst Mr Taffy Atkinson filled the role of M.G. Decorations consisted oL" two large strings of Hags strung across the ball and the words 'Welcome Home' in big red letters along one wall. The .stage was offset with (lowers and greenery. Following His Worship, Mr Don Butler spoke on behalf of County residents apologising for the unavoidable absence of the County Chairman Mr Burnett. His speech commenced with a short and continued in a vein expressing the heartiest welcome to the men present that evening. He wished them all success for the future. On behalf of the Returned Services Association, Mr L. R. Brown, President of that ex. tended a welcome from the Old Diggers. Some of tile Kiwis who were in the ball that evening, he said ? had been absent from New Zealand for several years j and they had no doubt been struck, on their return, I) 3* the manner in which the town had grown whilst they had been overseas. "While I was watching the people dancing," he said, "I wondered how many really realised how much Whakatane and district did during the war. From this dis,triet, twenty-live hundred men were examined for the armed forces. Of this number, seventeen hundred left to serve with the Army. In addition there are those fa en. who entered tlie. Air Force. During the war the Whakatane district contributed to Patriotic funds the sum of £:«), 233—a iigure to be proud of." In conclusion he. said that lie hoped all the men present had returned fit and well. If there were any suffering from war injuries or sickness or if .such things developed later, 'the U.S.A., would do all it coitld by way of assistance. It was there at all times ami was at the disposal of every returned man.

Squadron Leader Milner, R.N.Z.A.F. replying on behalf of the returned men present extended his warmest thanks for the splendid welcome borne evening accorded them, and also for the great help and interest shown them whilst they had been overseas. He said that duoing his travels he bad encountered many towns, but none that could surpass. Whakatane for its spirit of neighborliness and goodwill. Musical honours and 'Maori Battalion were accorded the guests * of honour. i Dancing continued, supper being served a short time later. This was excellently dispensed, and made a welcome break in the evening. A Monte Carlo for returned men only was won by Mr Lapwood and Miss. Campbell, whilst in a further dance of the same type, Mr Atkinson and Miss Farrell were successful . The following were among the returned men present: Squadron-Lead,-er Milner; F/Lt. Hill; N- Hill; RMaxwell; D. Melville: T. Meville; J. Moore; J. B. McKenzie; T. Sykes; R. H. Tliom; S. Windleborn: R. Newdiek; P. Smythe; Rangihika.