XMAS DINNER PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 154, 28 December 1942, Page 5

XMAS DINNER PARTY

N.Z. SERVICEMEN IN

LONDON

(By Telesraph—Press Assocfatton—Copyright.}1

(Special. Correspondent.) . LONDON, December 26. "' Four hundred New Zealanders sat'■''■down to Christmas dinner at the New -■ ■ Zealand Forces Club. They ate 23,** turkeys, 50 Christmas puddings, 500*.; mince pies1, scwt of brussels sprouts, - half a ton of potatoes, and nine Christ*., mas cakes from New, Zealand, ancl . drank four barrels of beer provided by Mr. Arthur Simms, of Christchurch." They were waited on by 50 voluntary-" workers. .~.

The club was attractively decorated. ~ by voluntary workers, holly being sent from the New Zealand forces' con-' valescent home. Members .of the Forestry Unit sent Christmas trees, which were lit up with electric lights. The New Zealand High Commissioner (Mr. Jordan) read messages from the Governor-General (Sir Gyril. Newall), the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), and the Board of Admiralty, and messages were broadcast home and to the Middle - East. The King's speech was heard,"" and then the party began, with prizes'"1' for dancing. ■ " • ■•'- A message from the Admiralty to .the * New Zealand Navy Board, read by Mr....,, Jordan, said that the unwearying vigilanc.e, loyal self-sacrifice, and unhesi-"" -tating acceptance of great responsibili—r ties shown by the New Zealand Navy - l were an assurance, deeply valued in' Britain, that the British people would' see this conflict through to a victorious conclusion. : - : .. .Mrs. Jordan was present, and Miss . Gwen Jordan was assisting. Brigadier," R. S. Park and Air Commodore A. de" T. Neyill were among those present. -.- Kiwi House was packed out with « New Zealanders on leave. They had Christmas dinner at night when Lady " Hewart was present. Many New Zea- "•"- landers were also at the ' Overseas •'■' League, where Mr. Jordan paid a call, :" and others were at the Victoria League. *

■ _ without loss to our planes. This brings - the total of Japanese fighters shot down ~ on Boxing Day to 11. Gasmata aerodrome was also raided, and an enemy schooner at Lorengau was strafed. In New Guinea the enemy aerodrome at Lac was attacked with unobserved-, results.