VISIT TO MALTA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 89, 13 July 1943, Page 4

VISIT TO MALTA

KIWI CONCERT PARTY

Since liis: arrival in New Zealand Lieutenant-Gcneral Sir Bernard Freyberg lias made special mention of the high standard of the Kiwi Concert Party, a band of. entertainers recruited: from the Second N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East and financed by the National Patriotic Fund Board. The Kiwis have provided many bright programmes for the men of the New Zealand Division, and in March and April of this year they visited the battered island of Malta to give concerts there. A copy of the "Malta Review," a •weekly bulletin published by the Information Office, referring to a programme presented towards the end ol March, for the civilian populaton of Malta, says: "It seems certain that the 'Kiwi Revue' will become the classic concert party of this war in much the same way as did the 'Rouges et Noirs,' the troupe which became famous in France and Flanders during the Great War. The general standard of the company is far too high to allow of individual mention,, but it is impossible not to give a word of praise to the band. It was superb, particularly during the .interval with its rendering of 'In the Mood.' . . Malta is now more deeply than ever in the debt of her Empire partner, since everyone on this island recalls with gratitude the .splendid contribution, amounting to several thousands of pounds, which the people of New Zealand have made- to the Malta Relief Fund."