OROPI NOTES

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13408, 6 August 1941, Page 4

OROPI NOTES

PATRIOTIC DANCE HELD

ROLL OF HONOUR UNVEILED

Saturday, August 2, was the occasion of a patriotic dance and also a farewell to the Gainfort family who are leaving for the Waikato. The crowd was the largest that has ever assembled in the hall to date as*” everyone was eager to be present at the farewell to Oropi’s popular m.c. Morine’s Orchestra supplied the music and the dances were greatly enjoyed. Early in the evening Mr J. K. Hamilton addressed the assembly, saying that the Mayor of Tauranga tiad consented to be present at the unveiling of the Roll of Honour of che Orotpi lads on active service, Mr Wilkinson made an impressive speech concerning the boys overseas and drew attention to the names on che Roll of Honour.

Later on Mrs Wilkinson spoke of che way in which the patriotic funds were being spent. She congratulated the Oropi ladies on their work and said that Oropi was one of the best districts for contributions to the fund.

Highlights of the evening’s entertainment were two solos, “The Stranger of Galilee” and “The Old -.lugged Cross,” which Mrs Gainfort played on a violin string attached to a walking stick and an extra fox trot by a visiting artist in which the whole company sang the choruses. After supper Mr Hamilton again took the door and voiced his regrets at tne departure of the Gainforts who had been a great help to the district in many ways. He called on Mr Watson to make a presentation on behalf of the people of Oropi. Mr Watson said he had served on many committees with Mr Gainfort and could not speak too highly of his work. Four years ago, when Mr Gainfort was elected secretary of the Social Committee, the hall was in a very poor financial state, and the present success the Oropi dances enjoyed was due to his energy and organisation.

The company then sang “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” Mr Gainfort thanked the people for their gift and the nice things said about him. He would carry away very pleasant memories of Oropi, and if he was missed he was sure it would not be for long as the present Social Committee was the best that Oropi had had.

The prize winners for the evening were: Mrs McPhail, a tin of biscuits; Mrs Shanks, a hamper; Mr Chittock. a cake; and Mrs Gates, half a dozen tumblers.

Another feature of the evening was the wearing of V sighs which the school children supplied.