DIGGERS’ SMOKO

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32412, 27 March 1944, Page 5

DIGGERS’ SMOKO

KEREPEEHI WELCOME SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED TPR. J. MIDDLETON HONOURED The Kerepeehi Diggers’ Welcome Home Club held a smoke concert in the Kerepeehi Hall recently to welcome home Tpr. J. Middleton of Kerepeehi and other Plains men, returned recently on 1 furlough. In spit of bad weather a good muster of visitors attended from all parts of the Plains and from Paeroa. After the toast of “The King” had been honoured Mr T. Lynch, president of the club extended a welcome to~ all | present and explained the objects l of the club, to welcome home all servicemen returning home from overseas. The following toasts were honoured: —Silent toast to “Fallen Comrades”; “Army, Navy and Air Force,” proposed by Mr E. A. Mahoney, responded to by Major Dickson; Returned Services Asosciation, proposed by Mr C. Parfitt, responded to by Mr P. G. Pearce; “Our Guests, including N.Z.E.F.,” proposed by Mr T. Lynch, responded to by Capt. H. Barbet, Tpr. T. Middleton, L.- Cpl. Green Sgt. H. W. Johnson; “Our Allies,” proposed by Mr T. Jordan, response by Capt. Barber; “Ladies, including Nursing and Auxiliary Services,” proposed by Mr W. .Pirie, responded to by Mr W. Bailey; “Merchant Navy,” proposed by Mr C. W. Parfitt, response by Mr P. Caisley; “Visitors,” proposed by Mr C. Pearce; responded to by Mr H. Fair; “Artists,” proposed by Mr T. Lynch, responded to by Mr F. Brady.

Excellent entertainment was given by the following artists with Mr Ross Harris ,at the piano; songs by Mr R. E. Wentworth; duets by Mr Phil. Caisley and Mr Ross Harris; monologues by Mr F. Brady, Mi’ P. Caisley and Mr W. Pirie; songs, Mr A. Hayes, Mr Jack Gordon and Mr Jack Lynch.

A special feature of the function was the supper which in the usual Kerepeehi style was abundant and particularly tasty.