WELCOME HOME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3294, 30 July 1943, Page 5

WELCOME HOME

FUNCTION AT HIKUTAIA MEN FROM MIDDLE EAST ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION All roads led to Hikutaia on Monday evening last and the Hikutaia Hall was crowded to its capacity with residents and visitors from surrounding districts, who gathered there to welcome home and show their admiration and gratitude to members of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force who have returned home from the Middle East. The function which was arranged by the Hikutaia Farewell and Reception Committee, took the form of a social, dance and euchre, and proved an outstanding success in every way. The hall which was beautifully decorated with flags, masses of tree ferns and large bowls of arum lilies, jonquils and Iceland poppies, formed an attractive background to the stage, for the various artists who entertained during the intervals between dancing. Music was provided by the everpopular New Collegians Orchestra while Bandsman G. Vercoe provided an extra. Mr G. Flavell was M.C.

Guests of Honour Welcomed

Before supper was served Mr Geo. Avery, chairman of the committee, assembled the guests of honour together with other visiting returned men and as soon as they appeared they received an ovation, cheer after cheer filling the hall as they took their places on the stage.

The guests of honur were:—Pte. N. Trethowen (Hikutaia), Pte. R. Angus (Hikutaia), Pte. N. Campbell (Hikutaia), Sgt. A. Alp (Hikutaia), Cpl. F. W. Alley (Hikutaia), Major S. Hedge (Paeroa), Spr. Parkinson (Coromandel), Cpl. G. Fraser (Greek Medal of Honour), Cpl. V. Moloney (Paeroa), Sgt. Te Moananui (Paeroa), Pte J. Collins (Thames), Spr. J. Godwin - (Paeroa), Pte. T. L. Charlesworth (Paeroa), Bandsman G. Vercoe, Pte. S. Baker (Paeroa), Pte. C. Baker (Paeroa), Pte. H. Lord (Paeroa). An apology , was received from L.A.C. Gordon Clotworthy, a Hikutaia airman who has- returned from Canada, he being unable to make the journey from his station. On behalf of the Hikutaia residents Mr Avery extended to the guests- a hearty welcome, saying he knew all present felt it a privilege to be entertaining the men who had played such a great part and had so worthily up held the great tradition of New Zealand overseas.

In all, Hikutaia had farewelled some 35 local boys of which they felt justly proud and it was with great pleasure that he was able to welcome some of them back and he hoped they would all enjoy their well-earned rest and holiday.

Mr Avery then thanked the visiting servicemen for having honoured Hikutaia with their presence and expressed the hope that one and all would spend an enjoyable evening. Three Hearty Cheers

Mr Avery then called for three cheers for the guests of honour, which were heartily given, after which all sang “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” i

Major Hedge replied on behalf of himself and the other men, thanking Mr Avery and everyone for their great welcome, which he said they all greatly appreciated. Major Hedge then explained the receiving and distribution in the Middle East of soldiers’ parcels which he said were always most welcome. The following artists provided splendid items, all receiving well-mer-ited applause:—Solos, “Garden Of Happiness,” and “Give Me Youth and a Day,” Miss Mary McClinchy; solos, “I’ll Walk Beside You,” “Down Here,” Miss Grace Gibb; solos, “The White Cliffs of Dover,” and “Marie Elena,” Miss C. Goonan; humorous sketches and songs, Mr P. Caisley. Miss RSmith was the accompanist.

Card Winners Euchre prizes were won by Mrs G. Geary and Mr T. Scanlan. Seen among those present were:— Mesdames Trethowen, R. Angus, A. Alley, J. Collins (Thames), S. Hedge (Paeroa), Cochrane (Paeroa), G. Avery, A. W. Alley, R. W. Lowry, R. Morrispn (Netherton), D. Healey, J. Miller, N. Harper, H. Smith, G. McGregor, Armstrong (Wharepoa), M. Morrison, V. Alley, A. Stratford, C. G. Murdock, A. Lowry, V. Brown, R. Avery, A. McCollum, B. A. Kelly, O’Neil, Hill (Netherton), Homer (Paeroa), W. Morrison (Paeroa), J. Sarjant (Netherton), L. Swift (Walton), Wilson, Page (Thames), C. Alley, McKinney (Wharepoa), C. Reid, Winfield, Drumgool, McClinchy (Paeroa), Fisher (Netherton), R. Clark, J. Tompkins, A. Duncan, P. Sutton, C. Avery, B. Duncan, M. Hanlin, N. Forder, W. Green G. FlaveU

G. Morrison, G. Geary, Beasley (Hamilton), White (Paeroa), C. Wright (Puriri), G. Hen wood (Wharepoa), Bethune (Paeroa), A. Avery (Paeroa), Cleave (Thames), G. Trembath, H. Spinks, C. Murdock. Misses T. McClinchy (Paeroa), R. Taylor (Paeroa), C. Goonan, M. Corbett, W. Corbett, G. McGregor (Thames), A. Lowry, D. McGregor (Thames), L. Alley (Auckland), N. Alley (Auckland), B. Taylor (Paeroa), J. Healey, Royal (3), (Komata), R. Smith (Paeroa), G. Gibb, M. McClinchy (Paeroa), Chalk (Paeroa), Charlesworth (Paeroa), Crosby (Paeroa), Scanlan (2) (Paeroa), H. Percy, Hunter (Puriri), A. Handley (Paeroa), E. Snelgar, J. Winder (Wharepoa), McKain (Paeroa), J. Warrender (Paeroa), R. O’Hara (Paeroa), C. Wright (Puriri), P. Hopping, D. Wright (Puriri), P. Hopping, M. O’Neill (Paeroa), M. Smith, T. Flavell, M. Homer (Paeroa), Crawford, Riley (Omahu), Pirie, S. McNeil (Omahuj, (Omahu).