WARM FAREWELLS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20058, 3 October 1939, Page 4

WARM FAREWELLS

TROOPS FOR CAMPS WAIROA’S DETACHMENT CROWDS AT STATION (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this clay. Bearing the name of a famous Maori canoe, associated with some of the greatest feats in the history of the native people of New Zealand, the railcar Tainui this morning left Wairoa with a detachment of 60 men, the majority of them from Gisborne, bound for Napier to catch the special troop train for Trentham.

The men comprised the district’s quota for the main body of the New Zealand Special Military Force, and Maoris among the large crowd gathered at the railway station to Witness their departure regarded it as a happy omen that the Tainui car had been provided for their transport.

'So far as tne dispatch of the car was concerned, everything went in strict accordance with the schedule laid down, and at 5.55 a.m. the cheering of the soldier-recruits and the spectators was replaced by the strains of “Auld Lang Syne” as the wheels began to turn and the railcar gathered speed, trailing a web of broken streamers.

Civic Authorities’ Example

Everything that could be done by the Wairoa municipal authorities to make the farewell function expressive of the sentiments of the district was done. Band music, lights, and a cheerful admiration for the men who were offering to stand between their country and the enemy provided an atmosphere which seemed exactly right, and many of those present as spectators must have had recalled to them vividly the dispatch of troops during the Great War.

Gisborne’s recruits were not forgotten, nor was the fact that they had already journeyed a long way in the earlier hours of the. morning. The Wairoa Returned Soldiers’ Association had prepared for them, with the aid of a ladies’ committee, a light breakfast which they were able to consume at the station, and which undoubtedly helped to send them on their way rejoicing.

COAST VOLUNTEERS TOKOMARU FAREWELL (Special to the Herald.) TOKOMARU BAY, this day. Messrs. W. Sutherland, J. Griffiths, M. King, A. Beechey, F. R. Po-rter and E. R. Macpherson, the first volunteers to leave Tokomaru Bay, were given a public farewell. The function, which was held at the carved meeting house, was organised by the Women’s Patriotic Association, land Was largely attended. The music for the dancing was supplied by the Te Aroha orchestra. Mr. A. B. Forrester acted as M.C.

After the serving of a delicious supper, Mr. R. G. Sherwood Hale, on behalf of those present, wished the guests every good luck and a safe return and called upon Mr. Forrester to present them with a cheque. Each of the guests suitably replied.

Those present included Mesdames R. G. Sherwood Hale, R. Roskruge, L. Mills, W. Nevin, J. Riddell, H. S. Short, P. MeCallum, R. Jackson, F. Towns, F. O'Sullivan, M. Collins, F. Gardner, D. Geary, J. L. Grant, R. Moess, A. N. Wilkins, J. Williams, T. W. White, J. MacDonald, J. MacMillan, Britton, J. Todd, J. Savage, W. Collins, A. B. Forrester, R. Chaplin, C. King, G. Knox, K -MacKay, G. Olliver, P. Aspinall, J. Hale, D. Hughes, T. Babbington, W. Matahihi, H. Park, J. Ransley, T. Gilray, R. Porter* J. White, E. Skillen, F. E. Porter, G. Glen, H. Newton, and C. Kennedy. Misses B. Oates, E. Thompson, B. Heath, D. Pepper, B. Eivers, M. Atkins, L. Glen, M. Armstrong, J. Mitchell, M. Baker, M. Busby, M. Corbett, N. Quintal, M. Nevin, P. and J. Sampey, J. King, S. and B. Doig, P. Wilkins, M. Grant, P. Gardner, K. Beale, T. Paerata, M. Mills, M. Savage, 6. Ransley, C. Newton, W. Oates, I. Mac Kay, L. and P. Bignell, N. Rawston, Haeata and P. White. R.S.A. Function The local branch of the R.S.A. farewelled the six recruits at a smoke concert on Saturday evening. Mr. J. J. Roberts presided, there being present 90 Diggers, well representative of the district. Items were given by Messrs. W. Thompson, J. Benson, C. Lark, M. Lockwood, Williams, G. Dewes, H. Smith, Curtis, R. Oates, J.J. Roberts and C. St. John.

Appreciation was expressed at the action of Mr. Ted Lockwood, who travelled from Tolaga Bay especially to provide the music. A motion, “that the canteens in the camps be wet” was carried unanimously.