WELCOME HOME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 52, 20 November 1946, Page 5

WELCOME HOME

-AWAKERI’S FINAL RECEPTION

SUCCESSFUL DANCE SPONSORED

MANY RETURNED MEN PRESENT

“This is the evening for which we have waited for a good many years now—the evening when we as a district would be abie to welcome home all the men from Awakeri, who served their country during the war.” With these words Mr D. Butler opened his address to the assembly at the Awakeri final Welcome Home dance, which took place in the Awakeri Hall on Saturday night.

The building was packed to capacity and for the official ceremony, the some forty returned men present were formed into two lines on opposite sides of the hall, with the •speakers at the head. After the observation of a few moments of silence in honour of those men who did not return, Mr Butler continued with his address.

“It is gratifying,” he said, “to see so many people here on this auspicious occasion. Some of the returned men unfortunately, were unable to be present tonight, but to them also, we extend the heartiest ■of welcomes.”

Referring to the work of the Welcome Home Committee, Mr Butler mentioned the names of several residents who had been the stalwarts of the organisation. He referred especially to Mr and Mrs Col. Macdonald who had performed a great amount of work, particularly in connection with the dances which had been held. Mrs Martin, one of the originators of the committee had •also done a wonderful job. And the many others too—they had all sacrificed much of their time and worked wholeheartedly at catering and other matters in connection with the various functions held.

The result of their efforts was reflected in the splendid figures for Patriotic moneys raised. These were as follows: 1940-41, £205; 41-42, £611; -42-43, £625 17s 6d; 43-44, £475; 44-45, £692 Is sd, making a total of £2608 18s lid. For the R.S.A. appeal, £SOO had been raised, whilst Farewell and ‘Welcome Home Funds amounted to £750 17s sd. The grand total of money raised in the Awakeri district, therefore, amounted to £3859 16s 4d. From the Farewell and Wel'come Home Fund, each boy had received the sum of £2, a moneybelt and a wallet at his departure, and a further £2 on his return.

Concluding, the speaker referred to the number of men who had returned and came to the Awakeri •district to settle. To these also, he extended a welcome.

Mrs A. Martin, on behalf of the committee, then presented each man with an envelope containing a cheque for £B. In a short address, she expressed the sentiments of the gathering in welcoming home the men. She also made reference to the splendid and untiring work of Mr and Mrs Col Macdonald. Mrs Macdonald, she said had been the mainstay wherever the men overseas were concerned. All the other ladies and girls of the district had also done their full share. She concluded by once again extending a very sincere welcome. After musical honours had been accorded by the gathering to the returned men, Mr Bob Rae, on behalf of his comrades replied, expressing their utmost appreciation of the work of those who had ‘kept the home fires burning.’ Wherever the servicemen settled, they would never forget the magnificent job performed by those at home in lightening the task of those overseas. In a short final address, Mr Col Macdonald endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers, and congratulated the two secretaries the committee had had, Mr Kerr and Mr J. Barr on their proficiency and splendid co-operation. The dance itself must have been one of the most successful ever sponsored in the district. Many patrons from surrounding areas were present, and the hall was packed. The interior of the building was delightfully decorated with greenery and flowers, whilst the flags of the Unit--ed. Nations floated overhead. Supper, which was served at an appropriate interval consisted of both savouries and sweets in splendid and tasty array. The huge task of catering was carried out by the ladies of the committee and many helpers.

Among the returned men present were Messrs. R. J. Melville, J. Fletcher, C. Ploneycombe, J. Fowell, M. Jensen, E. Cleaver, D. Keen, A. Macdonald, D. Baty, H. Whiteman, T. A. Haeusler, R. Butler, I. Jensen, J.

Dodunski, C. Wickham, H. Gardiner, D. W. Boon, J. Goile, K. Raymond, N. Goile, T. Shaw, C. Baty, R. Rae, R. Fowell, F. Malaquin, A. Melville, S. G. Malaquin, G. W. Howat, J. Johnston, A. Shaw, Roy Melville, G. Sutton, A. Wiggins. Apologies were received from Messrs. J. Bunyari, C. Haultain, R. Saunders, D. Ernest, J. Blackburn. Messrs. R. Newdick and G. Dodunski who complete the list were, it was intimated, with the occupation force in Japan. The following names comprise the Roll of Honour: D. Claris, D. Claus, G. King, P. Butler, Tika McLean, J. Haeusler.