NGATEA WELCOME

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

NGATEA WELCOME

MEN FROM MIDDLE EAST VICTORY BALL STAGED, ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING The opportunity for an expression of their gratitude and pride, was afforded residents of the Ngatea district on Thursday night, when the Ngatea Patriotic and Soldiers’ Farewell Committees combined to welcome home the men, recently returned from the Middle East. The function took the form of a Victory Ball, music for which was provided by the popular “Paeroa Melody Makers.” Mrs 'P. Innis (Kerepeehi) played an extra. Immediately after the supper interval, Mr J. W. Neate, who was M.C., assembled the guests of the evening, together with visiting returned men, on the stage. Those present were W.0.11. H. McLean (Ngatea), Pte. A. McDuff (Ngatea), and Gunner A. McIntosh (Ngatea); Mr C, Urry and Mr T. Brien, invalided home earlier, and visitors, Lt.-Col. Fitzpatrick (Te Aroha), Cpl. G. Fraser, Greek Medal of Honour (Paeroa), Bandsman G. Vercoe (Paeroa), Pte. I. Neil (Paeroa) and Pte. M Rolfe (Putaruru). Telegrams of best wishes and regret at their inability to be present were read from L.-Cpl. F. Skipper and Gnr. H. Prenter. Corporal Tom Brown and Pte. J. Costello were also remembered. Hearty Welcome Mr Neate extended a very hearty welcome to the men, on behalf of the Ngatea Soldiers’ Farewell and Patriotic Committees. He said the evening must be for them, realisation after +hree and a-half years of wishful thinking. For all those in the crowded ball, it was an opportunity to let pride and gratitude have their sway. Mr Neate thanked the ladies and others, who were responsible for such. a plenteous and delicious supper and the band for the excellent standard of music presented. He then introduced the Hauraki Plains County Council chairman, Mr C. W. Parfitt, who said that the warmth of the enthusiastic welcome shown by the large crowd present, was.only a small part of the deep appreciation felt towards these men, who belonged to that great desert Division with an unrivalled reputation for courage, steadfastness and strength. He invited one and all to join in one minute’s silence, to the sacred memory of those fallen heroes, who had paid the supreme sacrifice. “Although this is a night of joy and exhaltation,” continued Mr Parfitt, “to have these men back home again, right from the battleline—they have stood to arms in Greece, Crete and North Africa, and made a name worthy of themselves and this Dominion which sent them forth—we do not forget those others.

Rest Well After Strain

“It is our sincerest wish that you who are our honoured guests this night may rest well from the stress and strain of over three years’ campaigning, and that you will not be called upon again to face the hardships of the battlefront,” continued Mr Parfitt. (Applause.) * Speaking as the official representative of the Paeroa-Hauraki Branch of the Returned Seiwices Association, Mr E. A. Mahoney said that “these chaps seated here, are men of deeds, not words, but on behalf of the R.S.A. of this district, I do warmly welcome all our returned men. Without a doubt,” he continued, “a soldier is very much the man of the hour in wartime, yet so easily forgotten. To quote Rudyard Kipling: “It’s Tommy this and Tommy that; and Tommy, there’s the door. But it’s saviour of your country, when the guns begin to roar.” (Cheers.) I want to impress on each of you, that the R.S.A. is anxious to help you in any genuine circumstance. Soldiers, he continued, are apt to return with very changed cutlooks and many will pass through a stage of irresponsibility, through no fault of their own. Others find they are not as well as before, but whatever the case do not hesitate to approach the R.S.A. which will fight for every soldier’s rights. Promotion On The Field “I trust that our other guests will not mind if I particularise in one instance to-night. I refer to‘Hec’ Me-, Lean, who left us as a private and has returned with the rank of W.0.11. This promotion in the field speaks for itself and ‘Hee’ must have been concealing even more talent that, we suspected! (Applause.) When there was a job to be done, Tlec’ did it, and we are justly proud of h's achievements since leaving Ngatea, ’ said Mr Mahoney. Mr Mahoney wished the men God-