WELCOME HOME SOCIAL

Chronicle (Levin), 16 September 1946, Page 3

WELCOME HOME SOCIAL

RETURNED MEN HONOURED It is indeed unfortunate that the public are losing interest in their returned soldiers. On Friday evening there was a very small gathering in the Druids' Hall to attend !the welcome home social extended to recently-returned men from Italy and Japan by the local branch of the Returned Services : Association. , Those who were gathered on the ' stage for the customary speeches of welcome were Mr. and Mrs. E. J. ; Gunning and their son, Athol, Mrs. |T. Moynihan and her son, Mick. I and Mr. Spencer Tremewan. An apology for absence was received from Mr. Ron Parr, ex-R.N.Z.N., who is at present on holiday in ' Whakatane. Apologies were also , received from Mr. S. W. Barber, president of the R.S.A., the Mayor (Mr. R. E. Downes) , and Mr. A. Gillespie, president of the Shannon Football Club. In extending a welcome to 'Messrs. Gunning, Moynihan and .Tremewan, Mr. Roy Hook, on behalf of the R.S.A., said that it was indeed a pleasure for him to welcome home these returned servicemen. It was a pleasure to have them back again, and he hoped they would settle down just as quickly as the other returned boys had done. Mr. Hook stated that the R.S.A. wouid welcome them to the association, and he was sure they would all make good members. Mr. Hook then went on to state that there was only one more social of this kind to be held, and then it was hoped that a combined gathering of all organisations could be held, at which thanks could be ; extended to one and all for the work done for the boys who had served overseas. In presenting each of the boys with a small gift as a token of esteem from the R.S.A. , Mr. Hook thanked the boys for the job they had done, both in Italy and Japan, and wished them every success and a hearty welcome back. The next speaker was Cr. Wishart, who extended a welcome on behalf of the public. Mr. Wishart, in a short but fitting speech, hoped the men would settle down and become good citizens of the town. On behalf of the Women's ' Institute, Mrs. J. A. Easton : extended a very hearty welcome and wished the men the best of health and every happiness in the coming years. Mrs. Easton presented each with a small gift from the members of the institute. The president of the Women's Section of the R.S.A., Mrs. C. Guerin, was the next speaker and she, too, wished them every happiness in their future years and success when they settled down to jwork again. I The Shannon Football Club was | represented by Mr. V. J. Bateman, who welcomed the boys home and expressed a desire to see them back on the football field next season. In , their brief but fitting repiies, all three men thanked the R.S.A. and the Women's Institute for the very capable manner in which they had looked after them while overseas, both with parcels and a cheery letter now and again. They also thanked those present for coming along and giving them such a delightful welcome back to their old home town. As usual the ladies provided a much appreciated supper and dancing was continued until a late ; hour to the music of the Hot Shots dance band.