WELCOME HOME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32413, 29 March 1944, Page 5

WELCOME HOME

WAITAKARURU FUNCTION LARGE CROWD IN HALL SPLENDID RECEPTION TO BOYS Once again the residents of Waitakaruru and other districts turned out en masse to pay tribute to the recently returned boys either permanently or on furlough. Two apologies were received one each from Cpl. Alec Craig, who has returned to civil life after service in the Islands and Pte. Phil Mitchell now of Thames. The boys present were Dvr. Cyril O’Brien (M.E.), and Dvr. Chalmers (M.E.), and Pte. Connei' from the Middle East and Pte. Max Thompson from the Pacific. The committee responsoble for the arrangements earned the praise which was offered them from all sides on the amount of work they had done to make the function a success. The hall was beautifully decorated with streamers, flags and pampas plumes. Seats were reserved for the immediate friends of the boys, which is a necessary forethought as the hall was packed to capacity. Were it not an acknowledged fact that it was the boys who were the attraction one might be tempted to wonder whether the news had got around that the supper would ; be more than usually sumptuous. There had been no less than 17 head of cooked poultry given and' also sucking pigs. The latter were cooked by the supper convener, Mrs Dick, who, in addition, with assistance carved them up and made an abundance of sandwiches. There was also a large amount of other savouries and cakes donated by friends. The Mangatarata ladies were in charge of the supper room.

Following supper the chairman, Mr G. Paton welcomed the four boys back home and said that all present would ■ share with him the pleasure he felt in having them back and to know that they were not at present in Italy. He asked that the thoughts of all would stay with these gallant lads who were fighting at Cassino. Each boy briefly expressed his thanks for the welcome and they too spoke of their comrades whom they had left behind. Dancing then followed with the Paeroa Orchestra supplying splendid music. Mi* Burling acted as M.C. Two Monte Carlo waltzes were danced. Among’ those present were the following :— Mesdames Hegh, Gordon, Simpson, Otter, Spence, Mitchell, Wallis, Edens, Donaldson, D. Adams, Taylor, M. Yaegar, J. Hyde, J. Ganley, J. Pacey, F. Stretton, G. Paton, Lozell, Harris, Steen (Maramarua), G. Grey, H. Taylor, O’Brien, Burling, Evill (Auckland), Death, Clover (Auckland), Edlin, Thomasen, Macky (Thames), B. Broadbent, Dick, Hinton, S. Hodder (Miranda), T. Perry (Miranda), S. Caie, T. Linley. Misses G. Lozell, P. Sole, M. French, J. Mustinovich, S. Gardner, E. Laurich, L. Burdus, C. Burdus, I. Marshall, W. Neate (Ngatea), J. Donaldson, G. Thomasen, L. Dick, H. Stretton, V. Wilkinson, J. Dalgety (Ngatea), K. Berney, J. Stretton, J. Keith (Pipiroa), I. Warner (Pipiroa), B. Rountree, M. Edlin, M. McKenney, N. Llewell, S. Hodder, M. Perry (Miranda), J. Duffin, S. Perry (Miranda), E. McKay, L. McKay, M. McKay, B. Douglas, R. Douglas (Miranda), O. and N. Hall, N. O’Brien, D. Lennan.