PRISONERS OF JAPANESE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29366, 19 November 1960, Page 11

PRISONERS OF JAPANESE

First N.Z. Reunion Opens In City

A scraggy “Japanese” officer, with an equally scraggy moustache, horn-rimmed glasses, shorts, and a loud voice marched pompously up to the group of prisoners, shouted “Tenko!” tripped over his samurai sword, and fell to the floor with a crash, to the great amusement of the assembled prisoners. He was officiating at a mock tenko (roll-call) and kit parade —part of the social and dance held at he first national reunion of former prisoners of war, in Japan which opened in Christchurch last evening. The first reunion of ity kind ever held in New Zealand, the function is attended by more than 70 former prisoners of the Japanese from all parts of the country. The reunion, which is also for civilian internee prisoners of the Japanese, will end on Sunday with a church parade and a wreath-laying ceremony at Christchurch Cathedral.' Before the mock tenko, the president of the Canterbury branch of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association (Mr C. Catchpole) welcomed visitors to the reunion.

After the tenko there was a dance and supper. Some former prisoners of war met friends and fellow-prisoners whom they had not seen for 15 years. Tomorrow those attending the reunion will have a day at the races, and will attend a reunion dinner in the evening.

Three Scouts Receive Queen’s Badge Three senior scouts of the St. Phillip's Troop were presented with the Queen's Scout Badge at S<. Phillip's IlalL Beckenham, last evening. They were Roger Alcorn. Royce Piper, and Alan Edward.