AWAKERI NEWS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 73, 13 May 1946, Page 5

AWAKERI NEWS

WELCOME HOME EVENING THREE RETURNED MEN The Army and Air Force were represented at the Awakeri Hall on Saturday last, when members of both services were cordially welcomed back to resume civilian life in the district. Guests of the evening were Pte. C. Wickham, F/Lt. D. Boon and Cpl. H. Raymond. The function which took the form of a dance was very well attended. Mr F. Bell officiated as M.C. and the music was supplied by the Premier Band. After supper Mr Coll MacDonald, on behalf of the "residents, presented each returned man with an envelope containing a cheque,’ and in his accompanying remarks conveyed the district’s best wishes for their future.

Pte. Wickham in very bright vein responded to these remarks. Musical honours and hearty cheers were accorded the guests.

Later in the evening Mr MacDonald drew the attention of those present to the fact that Mr and Mrs H. Cresswell, of Edgecumbe, were leaving the district. Mr and Mrs Cresswell, he said had been staunch supporters of the Awakeri Patriotic evenings, since their inception and as this would possibly be the last gathering of its kind, they would attend the residents would like to bid them an official good-bye and add their best wishes for the future. All present joined in the singing of *‘For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.”

Mr Cresswell suitably replied expressing his thanks and surprise at the committee’s gesture. He and his wife would always recall the happy evenings spent in the Awakeri Hall. Pte. Wickham was the lucky winner of a competition for some cigarettes while the fourth heat of the £6 Monte Carlo was won by Miss Skerritt and partner.

Dancing continued to a late hour when a very jolly evening concluded.