GREAT WELCOME

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1943, Page 8

GREAT WELCOME

KIWI CONCERT PARTY

RECEPTION AT A.N.A. CLUB

The Kiwi Concert Party can have no doubt of Wellington's appreciation of all that it has done to give entertainment to New Zealand's Division overseas after the welcome the mem--ibers received at the A.N.A. Club last night, when the club combined with the civic authorities in giving a reception in its honour. The club has never looked more festive and has never entertained a larger crowd. All the rooms were packed to the doors with Allied servicemen, members "of the club, and official guests. There were masses,of lovely flowers, rnododendrons, iris, poppies, etc., arranged everywhere, and there was a personal, informal atmosphere. which the guests of honour undoubtedly appreciated. Speaking from the platform in the ballroom, the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, and the Minister of the Armed Forces and War Co-ordina-tion (the Hon. W. Perry) welcomed the party. Mr. Hislop said he welcomed them on behalf of the citizens of Wellington as a part of the New Zealand Division, which was part of the incomparable Eighth Army, and Mr. Perry, during the course of his speech, said that the club was glad to have this opportunity of entertaining these men as, although the club was started soon after the outbreak of war, the majority of the party had gone overseas before the club was at its best.

Captain Geoffrey Colledge, the Kiwi Concert Party's commanding officer, made an amusing speech in reply. He spoke of the party's tour, saying that they were travelling so fast that even the police hadn't been able to catch up with them, and he expressed regret that so many people had been unable to obtain seats for the concerts. The party, Captain Colledge pointed out, had returned to New Zealand on furlough, and was already giving far more concerts than had been expected. The members, however, were very sorry that so many people who were anxious to see the show should be disappointed. Cheers were given for the men and the applause was deafening. In between dances floor shows were given by pupils of Miss Jean Home. There were competition dances, and cigarettes were distributed among the guests. •

The official party included representatives of the services and members of the club executive, the Hon. V. Ward, secretary of the Metropolitan -Patriotic Committee, Mrs. H. F. O'Leary, official club hostess, Mrs. R. B. Gibbons, chairman of the women's committee, Mr. W. D. Gordon, chairman of the men's committee, Miss Moya Hempton, chairman of the girls' committee, Mr. A. Urquhart, secretary, and Mrs. A. McKinnon, of the girls' committee, who was in charge of the dancing. Yeoman service was done by members of the club in the cafeteria, and only long experience enabled a function of such .proportions to be run so smoothly.