MAYOR THANKED BY COUNTRY SERVICEMEN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22657, 7 June 1948, Page 4

MAYOR THANKED BY COUNTRY SERVICEMEN

PATUTAHI REUNION

Appearing as the guest of lion our at the annual reunion promoted at Patutahi on Friday night by a social committee representing the Patutahi, Here and Waituhi returned servicemen, the Mayor, Mr. N. H. Hull was tendered a tribute of deep appreciation in his capacity as chairman of the flood organisation in Gisborne.

The extant to which townspeople of Gisborne had responded to the critical position brought about by the recent flood was nothing less than magnificent, said Mr. J. Murphy, proposing a toast to the Mayor

When the flood was at its height the country people had been too busy to think about what would come after, and it was due to the initiative of Mr. Bull that a relief organisation was got under way even before the flooding had receded.

There were people in the flooded area who had lost practically everything—the results of the work of years in some cases and the investment of deferred pay and gratuity money in other cases affecting young returned men.

Goodwill Behind Relief Programme There were others who had been more fortunate and who had escaped lightly. But whatever the degree of their misfortune, they had had every reason to appreciate deeply the response of the townspeople in money and other gifts.

The volunteer labour benefits had not been able to reach all the sufferers, of course, but even those who had received no direct benefit felt deeply conscious of the goodwill behind the relief programme.

Applauded with enthusiasm when he rose to reply, the Mayor declared that he could not permit an obvious misapprehension to remain uncorrected. He disclaimed any credit for the success of the relief programme, which had been evolved and carried out by people whom he had nominated, in some instances, and by others also who had thrown themselves into the work with unsparing energy. His own role had been that of a spectator, in the main, and he. too, shared the country people’s admiration of the response from Gisborne residents. Town and Country Comradeship

It was a matter of great pride to him that townspeople had acted, on this occasion, exactly as he was sure country people would have done, had the disaster affected the town areas.

If there was a bright side to the picture of the flood disaster, it was that aspect of it which had shown the true comradeship of town and country people in time of emergency. In goo'd times or bad, that spirit must be nourished and maintained, the Mayor concluded. amidst renewed applause.

The gathering was not as largely attended as had been anticipated, owing to the number of homes cut off by siltcovered roads and the absorption of many Diggers and Kiwis in restoration work, with consequently little time for relaxation. Nevertheless, there were some 60 people present, and the reunion was much enjoyed. A committee of ladies served a substantial dinner, cooked in a hangi, as a prelude to the general programme. The compliments of the gathering were extended to Mr. G. Rangiaho, organising secretary of the social committee, to whose efforts the success of the evening was in a large measure due. Toasts honoured included “The King,” “Fallen Comrades,” proposed by Mr. A. Dods; “Army, Navy and Air Force,” proposed by the Mayor and replied to by Messrs. A. Fergusson, R. Shaw, and G. Kay; “The Gisborne R.S.A.” proposed by Mr. M. Hogan and replied to by Mr. Gordon Jones; and “The Chairman and Staff.” proposed by TvTr. A. Dods and replied to by Mr. G. Rangiaho.