NGATEA FAREWELL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3247, 2 April 1943, Page 5

NGATEA FAREWELL

PRESENTATION MADE GNR. W. W. WILLIAMS DANCE HELD MONDAY NIGHT Although the social evening in honour of Gunner W. W. Williams had to be arranged at very short notice, a large and representative crowd gathered in the Ngatea Public .Hall on Monday evening. The Soldiers’ Farewell Committee were responsible for the evening’s entertainment and Mr Les. O’Brien carried out the duties of M.C.

,MuJic for dancing, which occupied the greater part of thp programme was supplied by Mrs C. !H. Waite, Miss E. .Marchant, Miss P. Johnson, Mr L. Griffin and Mr L. O’Brien, while Miss Dorothy Stitchbury provided the extra.

A Monte Carlo waltz competition was won by Mr D. Dalgety and Miss Jean Dalgety.

After the supper interval the Hauraki Plains County Council chairman, Mr C. W. Parfitt, proceeded with the presentation. He said that Gunner Williams who was popularly known to all as “Whaka” was almost one of the “old identities” of Ngatea. He had been associated with many activities of the district, both social and sporting and at the time of his entering camp was a valued employee of the county council. Gunner Williams’ position as an inspector had called for tact and ability and he had done well iin a responsible job. It had been a great help to have somebody so dependable and the council was very 'sorry to lose him. Mr Parfitt said that “Whaka” had been an enthusiastic member of the Home Guard, which probably assisted to fit him for better service to his unit and country. “It is a custom of the Ngatea residents to show their esteem and gratiture to all servicemen leaving from their district,” continued Mr Parfitt, “by extending a social function and making some presentation expressive of their feelings. On behalf of them, most of whom are your friends, I wish you Godspeed and a safe return to your loved ones and Ngatea.” ,

Gunner Williams, in reply, thanked all present for their attendance, making such an enjoyable evening together possible.

“Looking around,” he said, “I see most of you are my good friends, as I have been associated with-the district for many-years now. Such a number of the younger ones are away in the services that I must appeal to the older folk to carry on until we get back. Although my health hasn’t always been all it should, the Army has found a job for me . and I hope to be up with the leaders in the doing of it. “Let us look forward. enthusiastically, to the night when we can all conf regate here, to celebrate a grand ome-coming and the real victory ball,” he concluded. Loud cheers and hearty applause followed the musical honours accorded. Dancing continued until after midnight, when the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought an unforgettable evening to its close. ! Among those present were:— Mesdames W. W. Williams, S. Birkenhead (Auckland), G. Birkenhead. V. Birkenhead, S. Phillips, T. McClean, C. H. Waite, T. Sydenham, A. Douglas, R. B. Hodgson, W. Flint, J. Spence, V. Barriball, D. Waugh, W. O’Neill (Pipiroa), A. Tatton, J. Galvin, N. Laurich, D. Waite, C. Brown, H. Irwin, E. J. Thomas. Gardner, E. Darby, A. Stitchbury, H. McLean, P. E. Benner.

Misses Marlene Williams, A. Paul, E. Marchant, N. McLeod, E. Douglas, C. Hodgson, I. Hodgson, M. McWatters, B. Osbaldiston, J. Keane (Pipiroa), E. Montgomery, Y. Hegh (Waitakaruru), A. Paton, D. Phelps, P. Johnson, J. Neil, D. Cribb, N. Keane, f M. O’Neil (Pipiroa), D. Douglas, N. Sherlock, D. Stitchbury, G. Alach, B. Wilson, E. Laurich, D. Sherlock, I. Jackson, M. Dale, K. Jackson, J. Sydenham, F. Waite, D. McClean, M. Waite, D. McLean, Jean Dalgety, P. Waugh, Desney Darby, P. O’Brien, Jay Birkenhead, R. O’Neil.