WELCOME HOME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 62, 13 December 1946, Page 5

WELCOME HOME

LARGE TANEATUA FUNCTION RETURNED MEN THE GUESTS One of the most important functions to be held in Taneatua since the commencement of war was that sponsored by the Taneatua Patriotic Committee to welcome home all those who had returned to the Taneatua district from the various theatres of war.

The function took the form of a dance and was held in the Taneatua Hall which had been beautifully decorated with nikau palms and other ferns while a banner with the words “Welcome to Taneatua” was suspended the full width of the hall, and. flags of all nations were featured. I

Guests had come from far and near and with their partners and parents were entertained to a delicious buffet supper of unrationed meats and poultry, savouries and cakes, in the supper room. Supper was served to the others present, in the hall itself.

After supper, Mr A. Prince, Chairman of the Patriotic Committee, addressed the large gathering. He outlined the past workings of the Patriotic Committee and 'mentioned that a large part of the money raised for Patriotic purposes, a sum of over £4OOO, had been obtained from the regular shop days run throughout the war by members of the Patriotic. Committee and assisted by the general public by donations of goods. Gymkhanas had also brought in a considerable amount of money. He thanked all those who had worked so hard and so loyally. - Mr Prideaux then spoke and welcomed the boys back ,to “Civvy Street” referring to old times and experienc%j£shared while they were overseas, v ? asked those present to stand in silence in memory of those boys who would not return. -

Altogether eighty-two men and one nurse left Taneatua to go overseas, a proud record for. so small a district and the names were read out as follows:

Present at the function: A. Andrews, B. Alexander, A. G. Cradwick, L. R. Davies, H. C. Davies, J. M. ■ Denham,-M. Ewart, K. M. Farquhar, G. Findlay, J. Frost, J. C. Harris, A. Higgs, C. T. Hill, J. Langdon, K. Lyon, W. McCready, D. Merrie, A. H. Menefy, C. Moore, C. B. O’Brien, G. C. Peebles, C. R. Peebles, J. M. Rae, T. G. Santon, C. C. Schick, A. Sisam, A. A. Sykes, D. Tocker, A. W. Tebbutt, Eric Walker, Alex Walker, Ted Watene and C. Bluett.

Those unable to be present were Miss F. I Tebbutt, F. Bluett, R. T. Bluett, G. Cawte, C. Cruse, F. Cutlea, V. Doolan, C. C. Davies, T. E. Fox,'W.’ Gar lick, C. Gee, A. W. Goddard, R. Goddard, N. Goddard, W. C. A. Grace, F. Sykes, W. Sisam, W. A. Shepherd, D. Shepherd, lan Shaw, R. Rawson, C. L. Rawson, D. Old, G. McPherson, R. A. McGougan, S. D. Joll, G. F. Walker, J. Walker, A; A. Yeoman, A. C. Yeoman, E. C. Knowles. W. L. -Lambert, L. Luhrs, F. D. Mead, C. Matthews, E. 'D.'Moody, F. Moody, G. W. Merrie, A. Munro, W. F. Hanright, J. W. Semmens, G Findlay, J. Barr, C. A. Rust. V •• /

Mrs E> Hill, President of the Ladies’ Patriotic Committeee, presented each man with a cheque for £9. The sum of £358 for this purpose was raised in various ways by the Welcome Home Committee, £73 was donated by the Farewell Committee being money raised for the purpose of farewefting the boys and in hand at the cessation of hostilities, and the remainder was donated by residents of the district.

Mr G. Santon as senior officer, spoke on behalf of the men present and returned thanks for the enjoyable evening given them and the presentations made.

Mr G. Symmans made a very capable M.C. and.the Premier Orchestra provided excellent music.