War-time friendships in U.S. renewed

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32407, 21 September 1970, Page 16

War-time friendships in U.S. renewed

Hospitality provided for New Zealand servicemen through Miss Note Luxford’s Anzac Club in. New York 25 years ago is for one American family being repaid during its visit to New Zealand.

Mr and Mrs W. S. Higgins, of Bainbridge Island, Washington, met and stayed at the week-end with three New

Zealanders whom they entertained in their New Jersey home in 1944 and 1945. They are Messrs B. G. Hart and A. Austin, of Christchurch, and Mr R. Clarke, of Greymouth. Last evening they all met Mr and Mrs Higgins again and reminisced about past days. After Mr and Mrs Higgins’s family grew up and married they moved west. Mr and Mrs Higgins followed their children and settled in the state of Washington. Mrs Higgins had a teacloth on which the New Zealand and Australian “boys” used to write their names. These she embroidered, and so kept in touch with them.

On their 28-day tour of Australia and New Zealand the couple have met and stayed with many of the persons they kept in touch with. In New Zealand they have met about 12 of them.

On Saturday evening Mr and Mrs Higgins went to the Addington Raceway, and yesterday, in the company of their hosts, were shown through the Botanic Gardens. Mr and Mrs Higgins will leave Christchurch by air today for Auckland and on to the United States after a sentimental journey which has more than fulfilled their expectations.