MEN FAREWELLED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3252, 14 April 1943, Page 7

MEN FAREWELLED

COROMANDEL FUNCTION SOCIAL AND DANCE HELD THREE SOLDIERS HONOURED Yet another successful evening was held in St. George’s Hall, Coromandel, on Friday last when a dance was held in honour of Gunner T. V. Whittle, Corporal N. A. Turner and Trooper C. Peachey, who were home on leave. In spite of the stormy weather prevailing, but which cleared up for the occasion, there was a very large attendance and the proceedings went with a swing. Popular music for the dancing was supplied by Mrs E. M. Lucas (piano), Lee 'Perfect (drums) and Misses C. McNeil, M. Lillis and J. McLellan.

Miss June Notnian and Mr Ivan McCall acted as M.’s.C., and performed their duties in a creditable manner. ,

A special committee had been formed to organise the evening and credit is due to them for their successful efforts in spite of the short notice that, was received.

Mr C. C. Rae, county chairman, spoke a few words of farewell and Godspeed to the soldiers and on behalf of the citizens of Coromandel presented them each with a wallet with silver monograms.

He spoke of the valiant activities of the New Zealand Division overseas and said that he was sure that the men being farewelled that night would uphold the tradition of the Anzacs and would carry on the job m the same way as their fellow soldiers had done.

“We are proud of our boys,” concluded Mr Rae, “and we know you will ■be worthy of our pride in you.” Mrs Evans, president of the Women’s Division in Coromandel, gave each of the men a gift from the members of the Division with their best wishes for a safe and speedy return.

Mr Rae then spoke of the esteem in which Gunner Whittle was held as a councillor on the Coromandel County Council and intimated that words of farewell had been received from the other councillors who were unable to be present at the function. ■He had pleasure in handing a handsome chased brass tobacco jar to Councillor Whittle from the members of the council and the office staff with their best wishes for a safe and speedy return to New Zealand. ‘“For' They Are Jolly Good Fellows” was sung most heartily and the cheers resounded.

Gunner Whittle, Corporal Turner and Trooper Peachey : suitably replied, all of them saying their gifts were most appreciated and would go with them wherever they went.

Mr Lucas, on behalf of the Home Guard, snoke a few words of farewell to Gunner Whittle and said what a good officer he had been when a member of the local company. Corporal Turner, too, had attended the Home Guard parade when on leave and had passed on interesting information he had learnt while in camp. Trooper Peachey had also carried out his part in camp as a member of the .Mounted Rifles and would carry his new responsibilities out in the same creditable manner as our New Zealand soldiers do in the course of their varied travels in the various theatres of war.

Mr Rae thanked the committee and the musicians for their able assistance in carrying out-this function so successfully. A Monte Carlo waltz was won by Miss A. Bronlund and Mr Fred Strongman. The net proceeds of the dance, which were in aid of patriotic funds, realised the sum of £9 5s 6d.

“Auld Lang Syne,” followed by the National Anthem, brought the dance to a close at 1 a.m.