IN THE THEATRE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3288, 14 July 1943, Page 5

IN THE THEATRE

CIVIC RECEPTION 1000 PEOPLE ATTEND ADDRESSES OF ENTHUSIASM OF PUBLIC With over 1000 people packed - into the Regent Theatre while hundreds who had been too late to gain admittance listened to the loudspeaker outside the residents of Paeroa and the surrounding districts paid a fitting tribute to the soldiers who had that day landed back home after years of service with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Middle East. The enthusiasm displayed truly showed how pleased everybody was to welcome these warriors back to their home town. The Mayor, Mr .Edwin Edwards presided and associated with him were Messrs H. M. Shand (deputy-Mayor), T. A. Barrett (deputy-chairman Ohinemuri County Council), and J. Walmsley (Paeroa-Hauraki Returned 'Services Association). Guests of Honour Loud applause greeted the guests of honour as they took their seats qn the stage, those able to attend the function- being: Major S. J. (Hedge, Paeroa; Pte? C. A. (Baker, Paeroa; Pte. S. Baker, Paeroa; Sgt. H. Beilby, Paeroa; Pte. N. I. Campbell, Paeroa; Gnr. T. L. Charlesworth, Paeroa; Cpl. G. Fraser, Paeroa; Spr. J. G. Godwin, Paeroa; Sgt. T. W. Te Monanui, Paeroa; Sgt. W. J. Urwin, Awaiti; Cpl. R. H. Kilgour, Komata; Pte. H. Lord, Paeroa; Pte. I. W. Neil, Paeroa; Signalinan P. H. Stephens, Paeroa; Spr. L. W. Stringer, Paeroa; Bandsman A. G. Vercoe, Paeroa; Spr. G. J. Williams, Paeroa.

The function opened with the singing of the National Anthem led by the Paerba Municipal Band and was followed by a prayer of thanksgiving offered by Canon W.- G. H. Weadon. The Mayor, in extending from the citizens of Paeroa a heartfelt welcome to the guests of honur expressed his appreciation at seeing such a huge concourse of people present, saying that the enthusiasm shown both in the theatre and at the station would help to express to the boys how glad everybody was to welcome them home. (Loud applause). Red Letter Day

Continuing, the Mayor apologised for the absence of Mr W. Marshall, chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council and Mr J. Thorn, member for the Thames electorate, saying that both had done their -best to be present •but at the last moment had been unable to make it.

“ There are actually very few ‘red letter days’ in a town the size of Paeroa but to-day is the reddest and the greatest day we have experienced for many years” continued Mr Edwards. (Applause). Regret that all the boys who had landed back at Paeroa that day had not been able to attend the function was expressed by the Mayor who explained that some of the boys had distances to travel to gain their homes in the surrounding districts and had therefore not been able to get back. The Mayor then introduced each soldier on the platform to the gathering, each. man rising and saluting as his name was called.

Achieved Greatness Continuing, Mr Edwards said that some men were born great, some achieved greatness while others had greatness thrust upon them. The guests of honour belong to the middle category—they had achieved greatness by their actions and deeds while serving with the Allies overseas.

It was a little over three years ago that we bade farewell to the men of the First Echelon ..and it was very pleasing after that long period to be now welcoming some, of them back home, added the Mayor. “We can, I think, claim with pride that there are, no better fighters in the world than those we have sent from New Zealand,” said the Mayor. They had had their reverses as well as their vic‘cries but the fact that they had not been defeated by these reverses wrs 4 he reason why they had been able later to go on from reverse to victory. World-Wide Renown Mr z Ed wards referred to the campaigns in Greece and Crete, speaking

of the hardships which the New Zealanders suffered in that fighting. “Our boys acquitted themselves in such a way that they earned the love and respect of the Grecian people. They fought in Greece and in Crete with such a wonderful spirit that they earned world-wide renown for themselves,” said the Mayor. It was the nation which could suffer reverses and not know it was defeated which eventually came out on top, said the Mayor. The men present had been in the front line of the fighting in all the campaigns in which the New Zealand Division had participated and had now earned the rest on which they were just The Mayor expressed pleasure that the men were looking so well after their adventure and said how sorry he was that all the men in the Middle East had not been able to return.

Reference to those, who had paid the supreme sacrifice was ■ made by the Mayor, the'gathering standing in silence as a mark of respect. Thanks of the People In conclusion the Mayor expressed the thanks of the people of Paeroa for what the guests of honour had done, the sacrifice they- had made and for what they had achieved. “We are indeed indebted to you for the part you have played in placing the allies in the position they are in to-day where they are able to strike hard blows at the enemy,” said the Mayor. (Loud applause). After also paying tribute to the good work being done by the Navy and the Air Force the Mayor called upon the other speakers to address the gathering. . ‘ Hope For Peace Mr T. A. Barrett, representing the Ohinemuri County Council said it was a privileg and an honour, to be associated with the welcome home. The men had certainly done the job allotted to them and done it well. Now these men were to enjoy a long-earned rest and he hoped that ere this was over peace would be declared. He extended a war welcome -to the guests of honour. Mr J. Walmsley, representing the Paeroa-Hauraki Returned Soldiers’ Association also spoke. He said how pleased the ■ members of his association were to see them home and the R.S.A. would welcome them as members. He spoke of the friendships that would have grown \up during the period of strike and urged the men. to carry on these friendships in the R.S.A., assuring them that the associatio nwould do all possible to look after their, interests. . *

“We assure you of a great welcome and a lot of'assistance,” concluded Mr Walmsley. Major S. J; Hedge replied' on behalf of all the guests of honour, expressing appreciation for the welcome which they had been accorded. The function was brought to a, close with three rousing cheers and the singing of “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.”