CITY'S WELCOME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23593, 29 February 1940, Page 10

CITY'S WELCOME

RETURN OF ACHILLES CAPTAIN PARRY'S THANKS LETTER SENT TO COUNCIL "We cannot thank the Auckland City Council enough for the magnificent reception afforded to us on Friday, and for all the trouble taken by it and its staff to make our homecoming the success it was," said Captain W. E. Parry in a letter received by the Auckland City Council last night in reference to the return of H.M.S. Achilles. "Wo in H.M.S. Achilles will never forget the city's generous hospitality to ns and the splendid welcome we received from the people of Auckland," added Captain Parry. "For the present we pray for a speedy termination of the war, and for continued prosperity for your city. Wo desire to tender our most grateful thanks to the other organisations which took part." In moving that the communication be received the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, said: "May I now thank the citizens of Auckland for the truly magnificent way in which they rose to an epic occasion." The Mayor also spoke of the fine team spirit displayed by those who had a hand in the arrangements for the reception. Mr. W. It. Fee, on behalf of the members of the council, offered personal congratulations to the Mayor on the outstanding success of the welcome. This, he said, was one of the finest tilings ever done in Auckland and the Mayor and those associated with him were entitled to the congratulations of the citizens. Jll a message to the Herald Captain Parry said he wished to thank his many friends in New Zealand who had sent messages of congratulation to him and to H.M.S. Achilles. He hoped to answer them all individually when he had time to do SO. Captain Parry arrived in Wellington from Auckland yesterday morning and in the afternoon called on the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, and other members of the Cabinet. HAMILTON PREPARATIONS CIVIC RECEPTION PLANNED [jkom our owx correspondent] HAMILTON', Wednesday Members of the crew of H.M.S. Achilles, whose homes are in the Hamilton district, are to be accorded a civic reception in the Bledisloe Hall, Hamilton, on Friday afternoon. It is expected that at least 12 ratings will be present. The Mayor, Mr. H. D. Caro, has invited Captain Parry to attend. School cadets and other military units are to take part in the ceremony. CELEBRATION AT PAEROA GREETINGS FOR BOY RATING[BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] PAEROA, Wednesday A rousing welcome was accorded today to John Christie, Boy Ist Class, of H.M.S. Achilles. Christie, who is a son of Mr. E. G. Christie, of Paeroa, was met at the station by the Mayor, Mr. W. M. Marshall, members of the Borough Council, Mr. J. Thorn, M.P., the Paeroa band, senior pupils of the Paeroa High School and hundreds of residents. At the post office square, where many business people who had closed their shops joined in the welcome, speeches were made by the Mayor, headmaster of the high school, Mr. A. E. Day, and the president of the Paeroa-Hauraki Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr. Edwin Edwards. < Several gifts were made to the lad and he was elected an honorary member of the Returned Soldiers' Association. FEILDING CEREMONY ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING . [BY TELEGRAI>H —PRESS ASSOCIATION"] | FEILDING, Wednesday Feilding residents gathered at the railway station this morning when Eric Mingins, Boy Ist Class, one of the crew of H.M.S. Achilles, arrived home on leave. A former Feilding boy, he was met by the Mayor, Mr. Seddon, members of the borough council, representatives of the Returned Soldiers' Association, and many prominent citizens, old school mates and others. He was given a most enthusiastic welcome.