NGATEA FAREWELL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3229, 19 February 1943, Page 5

NGATEA FAREWELL

PRESENTATION MADE PRIVATE EDGAR WAITE REAL PRODUCT OF THE PLAINS A farewell dance was held last week in the Ngatea Public Hall to honour Private Edgar Waite, a son of Mr and Mrs C. H. Waite, of Hopai. The music, which was enjoyed, was supplied by Misses Pat Johnson, D. Stitchbury, E. Marchant, Mr Doug. Johnson and Mr Les. O’Brien. A Monte Carlo waltz competition was won by Miss Sylvia Penman and partner. r Mr L. E. Jackson and Mr L. O’Brien acted as M's.C. Owing to the absence of the chairman of the Ngatea Soldiers’ Farewell Committee, Mi* J. W. Neate, who was attending the Armed Forces Appeal Board sitting in the Waikato, Mr Jackson introduced the guest of the evening and the two speakers, Mr C. W. Parfitt and Mr W. Baxter.

Mr Parfitt said it was a pleasure to join with the people of Ngatea in honouring such a worthy citizen, who was a real local product, having been born and reared in Ngatea. Interest In District Private Waite had farmed in the district since leaving school and during that time had interested himself and taken part in many of_ the local activities including particularly, whatever sport was being promoted. He had 'shown initiative and determination and would make a good soldier. Mr Parfitt asked Private Waite to accept the customary presentation as an expression of gratitude, for the. services he was about to render for his country.

“We all wish you Godspeed and a safe return to your native land,” he concluded.

Speaking on behalf of the Oddfellows’ Lodge, Mr W. Baxter said that Edgar was the eighth member to be going overseas. ” A brother, Corporal Alan M. Waite, was already serving in the Pacific zone and the speaker expressed the sincere hope that both men would be safely returned without any hurt. For the Ngatea District High School Old Pupils’ Association and the Ngatea Cricket Club, Mr Baxter expressed similar sentiments as those of the lodge and said that they made every endeavour to keep in touch wuh overseas members. Fie'quoted the instance of Corporal Jack Shaw who has been a prisoner of war for many months

now. Greetings from the Old Pupils’ Association had reached Jack, right into the depth of enemy country and greatly cheered the receiver. In reply, Private Waite, sincerely thanked both speakers and everybody present. He said it was indeed stirring to listen to’ such good wishes and to see so many friends attending. His appreciation was heartfelt and he wished all a cheery farewell with the highest hopes of a not-to-far-distant reunion.

Musical honours were thbn heartily accorded.

Those present included: —Mesdames R. Dudley (sister), D. Waite, L. E. Jackson, W. Jones, R. B. Hodgson, V. Phillips, W. Flint, T. Sydenham, J. Spence, H. McLean, W. Baxter, A. Cleave, T. McClean, N. Alach, R. Williams, V. Barribal, T. Keane, G. Hunt, C. Brown, F. Connors, E. Hodson, E. Connell, F. Bevan, P. Benner, E. Michell.

Misses D. Waite, F. .Waite, M. Waite, E. Douglas, A. Paul, E.- Marchant, O. Alach, U. Douglas, M. McWatters, N. Bartley, N. McLeod, B. Osbaldiston, C. Hodgson, I. Hodgson, J. Keane (Pipiroa), E. Wallis, J. Neil, M. Neate (Thames), J. Williamson, N. Laurence, K. Stitchbury, N. Jones, I. Jones, N. Keane (Pipiroa), M. Cleave, J. Johnson, G. Alach, M. O’Neil (Pipiroa), N. Sherlock, A. Dalgety, E. Launch, M. McClean, S. Penman,. J. Challis, J. Sydenham, P. O’Brien, P. Cleave, D. Sherlock, A. Bevan, D. McLean, K. Neate, S. Gardiner, J. Sutherland, U. Challis.

The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought the evening to a close.