WARM WELCOME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32626, 26 September 1945, Page 5

WARM WELCOME

FUNCTION AT HIKUTAIA large crowd assembles FIVE SERVICEMEN HONOUR!® The Hikutaia 'Hall was gay with flags and bunting when an enthusiastic welcome by a large gathering of local residents and many visitors from surrounding districts, was tendered to five servicemen just returned from overseas. The men who have all long terms of service to their credit were Warrant-Officer R. O. Murdock, R.N.Z.A.F., Pte. Smith, Pte. T. Taupe, Gnr. J. Swift, Dvr. G. Jeffries.

The function took the form of a dance and euchre, bright music being supplied by the Rhythm Trio. A dainty supper was served by a willing band of helpers after which the chairman of the welcome home committee, Mr Geo. Avery, assembled the guests of honour - on the stage. On their appearance they received' an ovation which lasted for several minutes.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Avery said this was Hikutaia’s first welcome home since peace was declared and as in the past he was proud to perform this duty, but now it was also with a glad heart that he extended to these men a welcome back to New Zealand and to their home town, Hikutaia. Men Introduced Mr Avery then introduced each man, referring to his service, saying that one and all ,they had done a great job of which it was not necessary,for him to speak, as their deeds, well known to all the world, spoke for themselves. As each man rose to be introduced they again received prolonged applause and cheers. Mr Avery then called for three cheers and all sang “'For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” Warrant-Officer Murdock replied on behalf of all the men, thanking everyone for coming along and giving them such a great welcome home, which they all greatly appreciated, also he wished to thank Mrs Alley and the ladies of .Hikutaia for the parcels received, which had always been most useful. Ptes. Smith and Taupe were then prevailed upon to speak also and tend L ered their thanks in a similar manner. Dancing then continued until a late hour. Service Rendered Warrant-Officer R. O. Murdock, a son of Mr and Mrs G. Murdock, of Wharepoa, has returned after three years’ service with the R.N.Z.A.F. as a bomber pilot. He received his initial training in New Zealand, graduated in Canada and after a further training period in England he was stationed at Salbini, India, and was engaged in flying Liberators on the Burma front.

/Pte. John Smith, a brother of Mr Sam Smith of Hikutaia, was with the 24th. Infantry Company and has seen nearly'five years’ service, three of which he has been a prisoner of war. He was captured in E'gypt and was a prisoner in Italy until that country capitulated, when he was transferred to Germany.

Pte. Jim Swift, a son of Mr and Mrs J. Swift, of Hikutaia has been overseas four years and three months 1 , and was with the sth. N.Z. Field Regiment. He saw considerable service both in Egypt and Italy. In Maori Battalion Pte. T. Taupa is a nephew of Mrs Iri, of Hikutaia, and has also been away four years and three months, having been farewelled with Pte. Swift. He was in the infantry of the famous Maori Battalion and took part in all their many engagements both in Egypt and Italy. Dvr. G. Jeffries, a son of Mrs Ludwig of Hikutaia, has been overseas for five years and four months and was with an ammunition division. He was first stationed in England and then went to E'gypt where he was later taken prisoner of war. He spent two years in an Italian prison camp and then a further 10 months in one in Germany. Among Those Present Among those present were:— Mesdames J. Swift, G. Murdock, J. Tompkins (Tauranga), N. Alexander (Papakura), Iri, G. Innis l , N. Harper, H. Smith, Alison (Hamilton), J. Goonan, A. Bax, B. Bowden (Paeroa), E. Morrison, M. Murdock, Sherry (Tauranga), G. McGregor, F. Bown, L. Martin, H- Bax, W. Bain, T. Spinks, F. McKenzie, W. Morrison, A. Boyce, Remment, A. McCollum 1 , E. Atkinson, W. Brown, J. Miller, G. Avery, A. W. Alley, C. Alley, J. Johnston, can, A. Alley, D. Healey (Auckland), G. 'Geary, G. Trembath, R. Lowry, W. O’Hara, B. Burchart, W. Cross, V. Brown, P. Taylor (Auckland), Cedric

Murdock. Misses H. Innis, J. Morrison, N. MieCollum, W. Corbett, H. Percy, Scanlan (2)', (Paeroa), D. McGregor, J. Elvidge (Paeroa), A. Lowry, A. Handley (P.), U. Handley (P.), S. Gordon, P. Hopping, C. Winder, I. Smith, D. Sutton, Harris.