ON LEAVE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 196, 7 August 1940, Page 3

ON LEAVE

KHAKI IN TOWN NEARLY A HUNDRED MEN Men of the third echelon now on leave dot the streets of Whakatane and their number is a forceful reminder of the wonderful response made by this district to the call for volunteers. There is close on one hundred from town and district and the parade on Saturday should be a sight worth seeing. All centres have their representatives in uniform and the number of Maori soldiers is also another surprising feature. One well known local man informed the BEACON yesterday that at Papakura, the Whakatane contingent was larger than any other town of equal size. On the whole they were a very happy crowd, he said, but welcomed the holiday they were now enjoying after a period of intensive training. I , Meeting Old Friends. Saturday was a day of handshaking and greeting. The week-end was ! the occasion of many happy family reunions. Dozens of private parties ' have been held since and every day sees the invasion of the khaki-clad soldier more pronounced. On the Strand yesterday there were dozens : of leave-men strolling in and out 1 the business premises hailing old friends and meeting new ones. The third echelon has definitely supplied the record quota of men from this district to date. Dances and Fa.rewells. In all parts of the Plains the present week will be devoted to farewell gatherings and dances. Already a ' large number have been announced and are assured of ample patronage. The civic farewell takes place on : Saturday next and Avill follow the • usual procedure, observed in the past. The P'iiDe Band will lead the parade of volunteers and Returned • Soldiers from the Rock to the Winter Show Hall where the gathering will be addressed by the Mayor, Mr B, S. Barry. A warm invitation is I extended to the general public to attend this function which will re- . present the good wishes of the peo- ; pie of Whakatane and district to the men who are going away.