SAFE IN PORT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21230, 28 September 1940, Page 12

SAFE IN PORT

YOUNG EVACUEES " BRIGHT AND HAPPY LOT n FIRST OFFICIAL PARTY HERE (By Telegrapn.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday Laughing, shouting and singing as the liner berthed, the first official party of British children to arrive in New Zealand under the Government scheme for the evacuation of youngsters from the danger zone to the Dominions reached Wellington today. With the implicit faith of childhood, they gave three cheers for their new homes as the steamer drew into the wharf.

There were 89 altogether, 37 girls and 52 boys, in the charge of a schoolmistress, six escorts and two nursing sisters. All came from Scotland. Between 30 and 40 were coming to friends or relations by whom they had been nominated. The remainder are to be billeted for the duration of the war with fosterparents who had offered them homes in response to the appeal issued a few months ago. These did not, of course, know to whom they were going or what their destiny would be.

Service By Schoolmistress The steamer’s rail was lined with laughing young faces as they came alongside. A young but heavily bearded R.N.V.R. rating, who was an apparent favourite with the children, was festooned with young admirers as he pointed out the sights. The children waved eagerly down at strangers on the wharf. “ Oh, look ! There's a real Maori,” was one of the first audible remarks. Then they hailed their new land with three hearty cheers. In charge of the children was Miss Jean Johnson, of Glasgow, headmistress of a children’s school there before she undertook this form of national service. She will be returning immediately to England for a further batch. One of the two nursing sisters was Sister E. McLauchla'n, I who went away from New Zealand with, the Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to the Great War. She had not been back to New Zealand since 1920. Happy Days On Board Miss Johnson said the children had behaved extremely well on the voyage. She had never known such a bright and happy lot of kiddies. The members of the ship’s company were “ simply daft ” about them and she herself was breaking her heart at the thought of parting with them. The main task on the voyage was to keep the children occupied, Miss Johnson said. They had games, lectures, English and geography lessons, physical training, ballet and cabaret dancing, and community singing. They were all sent to bed at 6.30 nightly. In the tropics all slept on the deck. The children were encouraged as far as possible to look

after themselves. They did their own washing and ironing, girls and boys alike. The discipline appeared to be strict, but anything but oppressive, as was evident from the alactrity with which Miss Johnson’s least word was obeyed. The children were mainly from Glasgow and Edinburgh in almost equal proportions, but there were some from Greenock, Kerrymuir and Aberdeen. They ranged in age from Sally Emmett, of Edinburgh, 15, to Warner Lamb, of the same city, just five. The largest family comprised four sisters from Greenock. Warmly Welcomed The children were warmly welcomed to New Zealand by the Mayor of Wellington, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, who addressed them briefly as they had tea. They applauded vociferously and thanked him for his welcome with more cheers. All the children wore identification discs round their necks and some | evacuation labels in their lapels. Kilts I and tartan skirts were numerous. ! Soon £>fter tea the Prime Minister, j the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, with other | Ministers and members of the War I Cabinet, went on board. The occa- ; sicn was quite informal. The Min- ! isters chatted with the children and were photographed in happy groups with them.