GAIETY IN LONDON

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21211, 6 September 1940, Page 3

GAIETY IN LONDON

DANCES FOR THE TROOPS Four hundred men of the N.Z.E.F. in Britain attended the first of the weekly dances at Porchester Hall, West London, arranged by the New Zealand War Service Association. Invitations were sent to a number of London-New Zealanders and their friends, so that nearly 1000 people were present. At the request of General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces, that there should be a series of weekly dances, the association agreed to hold a first as an “ experiment.” Everyone was delighted with the result, and no one was more enthusiastic than General Freyberg. “ You won’t be able to keep the men away from the next one,” he declared, warmly praising the association for its organisation. Equally keen were Mrs Freyberg, who arranged for the renting of the hall, and other members of the association’s committee, and there were no further hesitations about inaugurating a series. The New Zealanders provided their own band, and during the evening a detachment of Maoris gave a haka and sang several songs. Among those present, in addition to General Freyberg and Mrs Freyberg, were the High Commissioner, Mr W. J. Jordan, and Mrs Jordan, the Mayor of Paddington, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Henry Studholme (who left New Zealand at the age of five) and Mrs Studholme.