SERVICEMEN HONOURED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 19, 2 September 1946, Page 4

SERVICEMEN HONOURED

EDGECUMBE STEPS ITSELF OUT COMBINED RECEPTION DANCE All Edgecumbe and surrounding districts attended the final combined reception extended by the local committee to the returned men from the district who served in any of the respective war theatres. Fully 400 attended the function which can be safely described as one of the most successful ever held in the hall. The committee entertained over fifty guests, and spared no effort to ensure that the decorations, the supper and the music were par-excellence.

Mr D. Radcliffe who for so many years has been the inspiration of Edgecumbe’s war effort, introduced the guests of honour, in his capacity as chairman of the local Patriotic .Committee. He mentioned that Edgecumbe with little more than a population of 800 had achieved a remarkable result in all its activities during the war. A total of £5,666 had been raised for Patriotic Funds made up as follows: 1941, £1250 18s; 1942, £579 18s lOd; 1943, £1222 9s. 7d; 1944, £596 0s 2d; 1945, £2016 16s. In the Farewell and Welcome Home fund it had likewise done very well and the round sum of £609 17s 7d had resulted, made up as follows: 1942, £44 6s 7d; 1943, £165 5s 3d; 1944, £237 8s 6d; 1945, £162 17s 2d. Other activities included parcels valued at £l3B 2s 9d; tobacco £7 Is 8d; P.O.W. chocolates £23 7s 9d; belts and wallets £5 9s 9d and presentations £75 18s. On top of this the Edgecumbe effort in connection with the recent R.S.A. Queen Carnival achieved £I2OO. He felt that the district had every reason to be proud of its effort; (Applause). A happy interlude took place when Mrs Allan Marx for the Ladies Parcels Committee made a presentation to each returned man present, calling each by name from ; the district list.

The evening was remarkable for the splendid social spirit which was evident throughout, and the fact that during the making of 'several long speeches it was possible to hold the attention of the entire audience. Dancing was the main theme and this was done to the lively strains of the Premier Dance Band which was heard at its very best.

Supper was a genuine tribute to the ladies concerned. Served in a buffet manner, it proved to be a sumptuous repast which the large crowd lost no time in doing the fullest justice to. Savouries were in. abundance and the Edgecumbe ladies are to be congratulated on the magnificent spread of good things. They certainly excelled 1 ' themselves. With Mr J. Russell as M.C. the dance continued with a fine swing and in spite of the crowded nature of the floor the whole atmosphere was one of genuine enjoyment. At a suitable interval, Mr Radcliffe after a brief outline of the work of the committee took the opportunity of thanking all members for their splendid co-operation. He mentioned in particular Mr R. E. Blair (auditor ) r Mr and Mrs J. Russell and Mr Tat Anderson. He extended his personal appreciation to all who had lent their asssitance. . The last dance found the bulk of the merry makers stiff keen for more, and in the wee sma’ hours Edgecumbe’s finest dance of the season came to an end with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.