FAREWELL TO BOYS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3282, 30 June 1943, Page 7

FAREWELL TO BOYS

FUNCTION IN COROMANDEL FOUR SOLDIERS HONOURED Occasion was taken at the dance in Coromandel on Friday night to bid farewell to four boys who were home on leave. They were, ptes. T. Hale, T. S. Tawhara, J. Toto and Cpl. D. N. Rehutai. Mr C. C. Rae, chairman of the Coromandel County Council, on behalf of the people of Coromandel, expressed the hope that the guests of honour would soon be returning again, but in the meantime he said they had a marvellous Maori Battalion overseas to live up to but he knew they would do the job every bit as well when.it came to their turn. He wished them Godspeed and good luck. Owing- to the short notice the gifts of wallets were not to hand but as soon as they had been engraved they would be forwarded on to the boys. Mrs Anderson, president of the Coromandel branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union wished them good luck and a safe and speedy return, and stated that a gift from the members of the Women’s Division would be forwarded on to them. “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” was sung heartily and threerousing cheers went up. Cpl. Rehutai replied thanking Mr

Rae and those present for the kind words and the somewhat unexpected but appreciated send-off. He said he would like on behalf of the boys and! himself to express their appreciation with a song. He gave two items unaccompanied and received spontaneousapplause.