RETURNED MEN WELCOMED

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24001, 16 July 1943, Page 4

RETURNED MEN WELCOMED

■ —4 MAORI COMMUNITY’S RECEPTION

Members of the Maori community met last evening |o welcome a number of returned men, "The names of those who had given their lives in battle from Canterbury Were recited, and their exploits were {recalled. To the Maori such an occasion is one of intense poignancy ana several of the guests of honour were visibly affected. The meeting was\ called by the Christchurch-Otautahi Maori Association, and Sergeant Arthur Manawatu presided over a large attendance. Mrs Hariata Baker, president of the Rangimarie Club, made presentations to the following:—Sergeant A Manawatu, Sergeant J, G. A. Poole, R. I, Hammonp, N. Hines, and Sapper H. L. Kini. The DeputyMayor, Cr. M. E. Lyons, who apologised for the absence of the) Mayor pf Christchurch (Mr E. H. (Andretys), welcomed the men oh behalf of the city, I Responding on behalf of Ithg guests, Sergeant Manawatu first addressed the gathering in Maori,- i “I stand before you with mixed feelings,” he said. “My heart is full of gratitude because of your kindness, but I am also- sad because II miss iso many familiar faces. My thoughts are with ;those boys, your relatives and friends, whom wfe have left) behind, Some of them, as you know, will never return.” ' j ' The speaker the community on forming an association which, he said, was not only important as a social centre, but for the revival of Maori culture. He also expressed the appreciation of the Maori Battalion to the Rangimarle Club for comforts which had been received “May we retain our faith in God. may we retain our love for our neighbour, and be wise in the direction of all our energies as a people,” he concluded, “and, above all, retain our faith in the justice of the cause for which we are fighting.” Those who welcomed the guests included Sergeant A. Manawatu, Lieutenant J. P. Tikao Barrett, M.C., Sergeant John Tirikatene, Mr William Rickus, and-Mr John Stewart Members of the Ngati-Otautahi Club entertained with,action songs under the leadership of Miss, Kb* Riwai, and subsequently provided supper for the party.

SOCIAL AT RICCARTON Members of the. 2nd N.Z.E.F. who are at present on furlough in the Riccarton district were welcomed last evening at a social organised by the Riccarton branch of the Returned Services’ Association, in conjunction with the Riccarton Borough Council. Mr E. A. Toomath presided. On behalf of residents of the district, a welcome was extended to the men by the Mayor of Riccarton (Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P.), the president of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association (Mr Colin Miln), the Rev. S. J. Cooper, the Rev,' F. Cook, the Rev. H. Whitfield, the Rev. J. S. Strang, and the Rev. Father .T. Hanrahan. Squadron Leader Canning, on behalf of the three armed services, also extended a welcome. Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. Burrows, D.5.0., who replied on the men’s behalf, was greeted with’ prolonged applause. A programme of musical and other items was contributed by Mrs Chisholm’S dancing class. Miss Jackson’s pupils, Miss A, Ledsbam, Mrs D. E. Pearce, Mrs Dalton, and Mr Russell McKee.

AUCKLAND PLANS PARADE AND LUNCHEON

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, July 18. Auckland hopes to honour N.Z.E.F. men on furlough on July 23 with a march to the Town Hall and a luncheon. The Mayor (Mr J. A, C. Allum) said to-day that no details had been arranged, but he wanted the public to know that the honouring of the furlough men and women was being planned. It would, he said, be improper to confine the parade to furlough men, because many in the earlier drafts of sick and wounded were equally entitled to inclusion in the city’s tribute. Members of the air and naval services would participate. Suburban welcomes were being held independently.