CIVIC FAREWELL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3282, 30 June 1943, Page 5

CIVIC FAREWELL

LIEUT. PERCY WILLIAMS PRESENTATIONS MADE TRIBUTE FROM RUGBY UNION A civic farewell held in conjunction with a presentation from the Paeroa Rugby Union was tendered to Lieut.. P. Williams on Monday evening when a number of residents of the town joined with the management committee of the union to extend best wishes to the guest of honour for a safe and speedy return. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr H. M. Shand, presided in the absence of the Mayor. Mi' Shand in making the presentation of the usual money belt expressed the admiration of the people of Paeroa of the sacrifice Lieut. Williams was making. Lieut. Williams was well-known both in the town and district, having grown up in the town and later been in business there. “We are proud of him now that he is going forward tb fight our battles,” said Mr Shand in extending the best wishes of the people of Paeroa for a safe and speedy return. He then asked Lieut. Williams to accept the usual money belt, together with a letter from the Mayor as a token of the esteem of the citizens of Paeroa. Work In Home Guard Mr C. N. O’Neill said that to him the function was one of pleasure and sorrow. Pleasure because he knew Lieut. Williams would bring honour to Paeroa wherever he went and sorrow because he would miss him and his good work in the town while he was away. Mr O’Neill referred to the good work done by Lieut. Williams in

the Home Guard, saying that he had been thorough in his duties and all had enjoyed working with him. He, knew the same would apply in the wider field of the Army. He wished him all the best, adding he would look forward, with pleasure to his return. Mr J. H. Bartlett also complimented Lieut. Williams on the work he had done in the Home Guard where he had gained a commission. Then he had ■had to start all over again in the Army and every member of the Home Guard was pleased that he had so quickly secured a commission in the Army. They were all sure he would wear it with distinction. He wished him every good luck and an early return safe and well to New Zealand. Mr J- Walmsley endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers and made an appeal for support for the Returned Services Association. He pointed out that if the officers and soldiers stuck together they could then help those of their members who were not able to help themselves. He wished him good luck and expressed the hope that he would come back to Paeroa safe and well. Earned His Commission Mr C. C. Webb said that he had known the Williams family ever since he had been in Paeroa and had known Lieut. Williams before that when he had played football for Ponsonby in Auckland. He endorsed all that the previous speakers had said and wished him good lubk and a safe return. Mr W. Smith expressed his sorrow that Lieut. Williams had been called to go away, saying how pleased he would be when he returned. He also referred to the work done by Lieut. Williams in the Home Guard, adding that New Zealand was fortunate to have a man of his calibre to go forward to safeguard all that was held so dear. He wished him the best of luck and a safe and speedy return. Sgt-Major W. A. C. Stewart paid a high tribute to. Lieut. Williams, saying that no man could say that he had not earned his commission. He was a man all admired and one whom all would be pleased to follow. No matter what was asked of him Lieut. Willaims would make good, concluded Sgt.-Major Stewart in extending all best wishes for a safe return. Good Rugby Coach

Mr W. E. Westlake also paid tribute to the work done by Lieut Wil- ' liams in the Home Guard, that |he had given excellent service and

fully deserved the “pip” he had up. He wished him a safe and speedy return. ,

Mr W. Bain endorsed the remaps of the previous speakers, adding that Lieut. Williams had made a success of anything he had taken up and was sure to make a success of soldiering. He wished him the best of luck and a speedy return. Mr D. G. McMillan, speaking on behalf of the members (f the Paeroa Rugby Union said he had known Lieut. Williams for a number of years and had enjoyed that friendship immensely. He referred to the good work Lieut. Williams had done for rugby as a player, a selector and a coach, adding that he had never seen .a better coach in all the years he had been connected with the game. All the players had admired and .respected him as he had the right manner to lead men. . Lieut. Williams was a born leader and the people of Paeroa would watch ms pi ogress with great interest. Presentation of Hussif

, In making a presentation of a leather hussif, Mr McMillan thanked Lieut. Williams for all he had done for the sport of rugby in Paeroa saying the gift carried with it all the best wishes and Godspeed. Mr G.' Masters endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers, agreeing that Lieut. Williams thoroughly deserved all that had been said about him. He was a man who could get the best out of the men under him. He wished him Godspeed, good luck and a safe return. Mr W. F. F. Faber said he was proud to be a friend of Lieut. Williams who he agreed was a born leader' as had been seen in the Home Guard. He wished him Godspeed and a safe return. Mr A. Crosby said that speaking as a rugby player he also wished to pay tribute to the character of Lieut. Williams whom he had always admired both as a player and a coach. It had always been his ambition as a third-grade player to be in a team which Lieut. Williams was coaching. He had always heard the senior players speak highly of Lieut. Williams. He wished him the best of luck for the future. Citizens and Union Thanked In reply, Lieut. Williams expressed his appreciation of the nice things which had been said about him and thanked the citizens of Paeroa for their gift and good wishes. Speaking of football he said that everything he had done had been a pleasure and he greatly appreciated the gift from the union. He had also enjoyed the Home Cuard work as there had been a wonderful spirit among the men. He thanked one and all for the nice thing* eaid about him. Three hearty cheers and ithe singing of “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow* brought the function to a close.