OFFICIAL FAREWELL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 103, 22 December 1939, Page 5

OFFICIAL FAREWELL

:SOLDIERS OF FIRST ECHELON

'PROGRAMME FOR TO-MORROW

Although at short notice the public of Whakatane is asked to rally to the official farewell •ceremony to the local members •of First Echelon to-morrow

morning and again at Taneatua 'On Tuesday evening next. Details in connection with the -above were finalised last even-

ing by a representative committee members of which will be-

«come a permanent executive for the purpose of promoting farewell gatherings in future.

It was freely admitted that the whole question -of making arrangements had been left till the last minute and members after recognising Taneatua's eftort decided to be represented at that function after having contacted the ladies responsible tfor it, and to make arrangements vfor transporting any men from the town who would like to take advantage of the general invitation which had been extended.

Programme in Whakatane,

With a view to providing a citi- ■ zens farewell it was also arranged to have a muster and parade at the Rock at 10.30 a.m. to-morrow morn ing, when it is hoped to have a complete muster of all the men on leave. ■Headed by the Pipe Band, the par:ade will include also Returned Sol-i-di'efS who are asked to make a point -of attending and to wear their vmcdals. The whole will move off to the Winter Show Hall where presentations to all men of the force will be made by His Worship the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry.

This will be followed by light refreshments to the entire assemblage rand a period of appropriate choruses :and community singing. Representatives of the local contingent will respond. Donation List Opened. "Under the chairmanship of the Deputy-Mayor, Mr S. S. ShapU-y, ;lhe committee appointed last evening went thoroughly into details :and the following collectors were appointed to canvass the business area for funds whereby to make the presentations —The Strand (from Rock to WTiakatane Hotel comer) .Messrs A. J. Canning and J. Billiard, balance of business section Messrs Savage and Kingslcy-Smith, 'Commerce Street, Mr S. S. Shapley, Kopeopco, Mr A. J. Atkinson.

The above gentlemen will be approaching shopholdcrs to-day and in view of the nature of the appeal it is to be hoped that everyone will respond. A collection taken in the room last evening realised £4 10s.

The committee comprises Messrs B. S. Barry, S. S. Shapley, J. Ballard, A. J- Atkinson, R. Savage, C. Head, A. J. Canning, F. A. Britten, W. J. Symons, C. Burnett, L. Luv> ton and G. Kingsley-Smitli.