GUESTS OF LORD MAYOR

Southland Times, Issue 24240, 25 September 1940, Page 6

GUESTS OF LORD MAYOR

New Zealanders Look At York

SOLDIER FROM BLUFF IN PARTY

Half-way across the world came six New Zealanders with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, s to fight for the Old Country (says The Yorkshire Evening Press of July 23). And it was these six men, with ruddy, healthy faces, who had the honour of a special invitation to tea with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of York (Aiderman and Mrs R. J. Pulleyn). Afterwards they went to the Tower Cinema at the invitation of the management. On Sunday the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress met their six guests looking round the Guildhall and, hearing that they were spending their week’s leave in the city, the Lady Mayoress, with her usual kindness, invited them all to tea. Welcoming them, the Lord Mayor said: “I am certain that you boys, wherever you are, will do your duty to your King and the Mother Country.” HINT TO CITIZENS When visiting Northern Ireland and Scotland he had always been impressed with their loyalty to the Crown and Mother Country, and he was sure that same loyalty existed in all the Dominions.

It was particularly gratifying to have such people as* the New Zealanders coming to the aid of this country in her period of stress. Hitler, in due time, would realize that by no means in his power could he break the loyalty of the Empire to the Crown.

It would be a great gesture, added the Lord Mayor/ if the citizens of York would follow the idea of himself and the Lady Mayoress, arid invite some of the boys and their friends stationed in the district to their homes on Sundays. YORK’S HOSPITALITY

The New Zealanders, who were all volunteers, in peace time were farmers, jockeys, carpenters, . engineers and printers, had meant to spend their leave in Scotland.

By the time they reached York, however, so tired were they of travelling that they decided to stay in the city. That decision has not been regretted, as they agreed enthusiastically that of all the places visited since they landed, York is far the most hospitable and the most like home.*

Their visit to the - Mansion House, where the historic plate had been laid out for them to see, has been the highlight of their stay, and they were all anxious to write and tell their folks at home how much they appreciated the generous hospitality of York’s civic chief. ■ •

The party-included Sapper J. Cantrick, sori of Mrs P., Petersen (Bluff). Mrs Petersen has received a letter from the-Mayoress saying that she will see that Sapper Cantrick will not be short of anything. “Such.... kindness to our boys, who are complete strangers, is very deeply appreciated,” says Mrs, Petersen, in a letter to The-Southland Times. ■