SMOKE CONCERT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 32, Issue 3291, 21 July 1943, Page 4

SMOKE CONCERT

NETHERTON WELCOME SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED FUNCTION ON SATURDAY NIGHT A smoke concert was held in the Netherton Hall on Saturday night last to honour the soldiers who are on furlough from the Middle East. The soldiers present were Sgt. W. J. Urwin, P. Young, Pte. R. Young and Pte. Cpl. G. Fraser, Gnr. E. Johnson, Pte. Eddie Johnson from Netherton, Te Moananui and Spr. L. Stringer from Paeroa. Spr. Olsen from Turua was unable to be present on account of illness. Mr V. A. Laurent presided. The evening was opened with the toast to the King. The following toasts were then honoured: —The Army, proposed, by Mr E. Edwards and responded to byMr D. G. McMillan;' The Navy, proposed by Mr J. H. Bartlett and responded to by W.0.11. W. A. C. Stewart; The Air Force, proposed by Mr L. Sanderson and responded to, by Mr R. Wilson, father of Flight-Sergt. Hamish Wilson. In proposing this toast Mr Sanderson mentioned that Flight-Sergeant Wilson had just received the George Medal and stated that Netherton residents were very proud of him. Great Achievements The next toast, to the guests of the ■ evening, was in the able hands of Mr Edwards. Mr Edwards made individual reference, to each soldier present and then dealt with the great achievements of the New Zealand Division. The chairman then gave each soldier an opportunity to respond personally. The Women’s War Services was proposed by Cpl. G. Fraser and responded to by Gunner E. Johnson; the Allied Nations was proposed by Mr C. Townshend and responded to by Mr P. Lynch; Servicemen’s Parents ; and Relatives, was proposed by Mr A. Laurent and responded to by Mr F. T. V. Johnson; the Home Guard was proposed by Mr J. Reid, being responded to by Major J. H. Bartlett; the 1914-18 Anzacs was proposed by Mr K. Morrison. The chairman gave all returned soldiers an opportunity to respond and Mr Durman, Mr E. Edwards, Mr J. Reid and Mr Stewart each responded. Maori Battalion , Mr J. Howe, a Maori 1914-18' returned soldier proposed a toast to the Maori Battalion which was enthusiastically received. Vocal 1 items by Sgt. Te Moananui, Sapper L. Stringer and Mr J. Gordon and a pianoforte solo by Mr A. Laurent of Auckland were very much appreciated. Mr Laurent and Mr C. Mettam of Paeroa officiated at the piano. The evening closed with the’ singing of the National Antham.