WELCOME HOME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3292, 26 July 1943, Page 5

WELCOME HOME

EVENING AT NETHERTON LARGE CROWD AT DANCE PRESENTATION TO EACH GUEST A very large crowd gathered in the Netherton Hall on Tuesday evening last to a combined Home Guard Dance and Welcome Home to six members of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force who have returned from the Middle East. The .guests of honour were Pte. P. Young, Sgt. W. J. Urwin, Cpl. G. Fraser, Gnr. E. Johnson, Pte. M. Olsen. Pte. R. Young was unable to be present. The hall was attractively decorated for the function and the names “El Alamein” and “Tunisia” were prominently displayed on either side of the hall. — The “Paeroa Melody Makers” supplied excellent music. The evening was opened with the Grand March which was led by Lieut. D. Williams of the Home Guard and his daughter, Miss B. Williams. Bandsman G. Vercoe obliged with an extra. Men Introduced After an excellent supper which was in the hands of the W.W.S.A. and thoroughly appreciated by everyone, Sgt.-Major T. G. Johnson of the Netherton Home Guard invited the guests of honour to join him on the stage and after introducing every man to the assembly expressed the pleasure felt by all at the safe return of the guests from the Middle East and expressed the hope’that their furlough would be very enjoyable. He then presented each soldier with a gift envelope from the 2nd. N.Z.E.F. Returned Services Association.

Mr J. A. Reid, on behalf of the Netherton Patriotic Committee expressed the joy at having the boys, back again and thanked them for the wonderful job they had done since leaving New Zealand. “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows,” was heartily sung by everyone.. Sgt. Urwin replying on behalf of himself and his comrades, thanked everyone for the wonderful welcome and assured the gathering that they were very pleased to be back amongst them once again. Those Present A Monte Carlo waltz was, won by Mrs E. Williams and Mrs W. Handley. Euchre prizes w r ere won by Mr J. Morrison Snr., and Mr Jurkovich. A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close with the singing of “God Save The King.” Among those present were:— Mesdames Fraser (Paeroa), M. Olsen, J. Morrison Snr., J. Crosbie, black taketa; W. Handley (Paeroa), black taffeta; R. Locke; L. Durman; W. Cheale, black lace; B. Coldicutt; H. Coldicutt; R. Fisher, red velvet; R. Wilson, black lame; J. Ryan; G. Sanders; E. Williams, black taffeta; L. Sanderson, black velvet; H. Ireland; C. Eastwood, black lace; B. Buchanan, blue sheer; E. Horner, wine velvet; Neil, black and white silk; A. Nicol, black taffeta;,R. Mclntosh; G. Laverick, black lace; G. H. Sarjant, plum satin; J. Sarjant, gold embossed satin; R. Morrison, blue lace; A. ■Clark, black taffeta; S. Trembath, blue silk velvet; M. Stembridge, cyclamen sheer; J: Pennell, blue taffeta; A. Laurent, black taffeta; J. Thompson, pink georgette; J. Harold, black taffeta; H. Fraser, black taffeta; C. Martelli, red taffeta; J. Gordon, blue cloque; K. Morrison, ivory satin; W. Richmond, navy crepe; J. Hayes, rust velvet; W. Potter, black taffeta; G. Sarjant; J. Murphy; W. Vowles, pink taffeta; D. McGregor (Pukekohe), black satin; B. Johnson, cyclamen; W. Harold (Auckland), black silk; J. Bourne, A. Tomlinson, blue taffeta; A. Watson (Te Awamutu), H. V. Peart (Hamilton). Other Patrons Misses A. Hill, figured taffeta; E. Morrison, green embossed satin; N. Sarjan (Thames), floral satin; M. Mclntosh, torquoise crepe; B. Pirie (Paeroa), black taffeta and green velvet; R. Sanderson (Paeroa), pink taffeta; K. Taylor, green taffeta; Merle Richmond, blue and pink taffeta; J. Coldicutt, green taffeta; E. Laurent, green lace; D. Johnson, green taffeta; V. Paul, green taffeta; R. Fisher, navy taffeta; D. Cranch (Paeroa), mauve taffeta; M. Handley (Paeroa), green taffeta; A. McNeil, black velvet; D. Olsen, green satin; B. Taylor, blue floral crepe; L. Johnson, mauve chiffon; L. O’Sullivan, pink taffeta; B. Coldicutt, white taffeta; V. Williams, pink taffeta; R. Mclntosh, buttercup crepe; J. Warrender, black and red taffeta; B. Williams, cyclamen taffeta; M. Sarjant, black silk velvet; J, Yeates, blue taffeta; E. Jessen (Paeroa), black and cyclamen taffeta; J. Hayea, shot taffeta; M« McKain, purple taffeta; M. Poland, gold taffeta; M. Heappey, gold satin; J. Kemp, cyclamen taffeta; P. Fisher, blue crepe.