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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 8, 7 August 1946, Page 5

WELCOME HOME

TYPICAL WAIMANA BANQUET RETURNED SOLDIERS THE GUESTS The closer association and understanding built up between Maori and Pakeha and the job they performed side by side in fighting for the Empire during the years of war was the predominating theme at the reception sponsored by the people of Waimana to welcome home the last of the men from that district who fought overseas. The banquet, which was held in the Waimana Hall last Monday evening was one of the finest it has been our pleasure to attend, and typical Waimana hospitality was once again exemplified both in the heavily laden tables and in the spirit of goodwill which was apparent throughout. Among the guests present were Sir Apirana Ngata and the Rev. Wharetini Rangi, both of whom spoke. A number of apologies were received including one from Mr W. Sullivan M.P. and Mrs Sullivan, who were unable to be present. Mr R. F." Wardlaw presided as chairman. The ladies responsible for the preparation of the sumptuous repast had excelled themselves. Seated at three long tables which ran the length of the hall, and one extending across the heads of these three, the some two. hundred persons present, who attended from all parts of the Eastern Bay, sat down to a delicious array of food such as could only come from a farming district such as Waimana, and a community which worked willingly as a whole towards a common goal. And the community spirit which had gone into the preparing of the reception, the last of its _type to be held in that district, was undoubted. It was evidenced in the manner in which the tables had been laid, the hall prepared and decorated with fern and palm fronds, and it was evidenced again in the many willing helpers who throughout the evening, and afterwards were ever-ready to lend their help wherever and whenever it was needed. “The Services”

The toast of the evening, ‘The Services’ was proposed by Mr J. Mitchell who took each branch in tui’n, and recalled the great work performed by them in all theatres of war. He mentioned first, the Maori Battalion; the wonderful record of service established by this contingent, he said was well known. It was also fitting to note the Victoria Cross which was won by the late Lieut. Ngarimu, the first of his race to gain such an honour. The Air Force, the Navy and the Army, he continued had performed a super-human task. They had gone wherever needed, and done whatever job asked. The Merchant Navy, he said, was deserving of special mention. The men who travelled the merchant sea routes had lived a perilous existence, particularly at the beginning of the war when they carried on with their jobs almost totally unprotected, “sitting shots” in fact for the enemy. Finally, the speaker referred to the Medical Corps, and particularly the Nursing Division. The ‘Angels of Mercy’ had rendered a great and wonSerful service in saving the lives of many of our soldiers. They had earned a lasting respect and admiration. Messrs. Wi Paina (Maori Battalion) and R. Bell (N.Z.E.F.) replied, both expressing sentiments of gratitude to the people of Waimana who had contributed so generously to the war effort, and made it possible for the men of the district, overseas, to receive so much in the way of comforts and parcels.“The Guests” In proposing the toast to the guests, the chairman extended a special welcome on behalf of the Waimana Patriotic Committee to the men present who had returned from overseas. At no other stage, he said, had the reputation of this country reached so high a peak. This was due almost entirely to the deeds of our fighting servicemen, who had earned the respect and admiration of the whole world, of friend and foe alike. All the men from Waimana, who had left New Zealand’s shores were now back, with the exception of two Maori boys who were still in Japan. The speaker also paid tribute to Miss' M. Grover (W.A.A.C) who had only recently returned from overseas. He concluded by extending a special welcome to Sir Apirana Ngata whom he described as a man everyone knew as a true leader of the Maori people. , Sir Apirana Ngata, Miss M. Grover and" Mr J. Cranswick replied.

Mingled with the various speeches and toasts were items, all of which were of a high entertainment standard. Mrs K. Liggett delighted her

audience with pianoforte solos of the Warsaw Concerto and Cornish Rhapsody; Mr H. Haeusler supplied a complete act which encompassed humour and a chalk talk; Mr Ray Addison gave an excellent demonstration of magic which fulfilled its purpose to the limit by completely mystifying the audience. The toast list honoured was as under:— “Charge Your Glasses” “The Loyal Toast” the Chairman; “The Guests” the Chairman, and, Miss M. Grover and M r J. Cranswick; “The Services” Mr J. Mitchell, and Messrs. W. Paina and R. Bell; “The First N.Z.E.F.” Mr E. McGillivray and Mr J. L. Burnett; “Fallen Comrades” F/O R. White, D. “The Ladies” Rev. K. Liggett and Mrs M. Wylde; “The Artists” Mr C. N. White and Mr H. Haeusler; “The Press” Mr J. Leather and Messrs. W. Payne and G. W. West; “The Chairman” Mr J. Boynton and Mr R. F. Wardlaw. The following returned men were numbered amongst the guests:— Messrs. A. Sullivan, C. Boynton, J. Donnelly, W. Reid, J. Cranswick, F. Mitchell, A. Addison, S. McConnell, R. A. Bell, Williams, F. Ruff, J. Ruff, E. McGillivray, R. White, B. White, B. Burnett.