LEAVE IN LONDON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24336, 28 June 1940, Page 7

LEAVE IN LONDON

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS ENTERTAINED AT ADELPHI MAORI SINGERS ACCLAIMED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, June 26. Hundreds of curious Londoners gathered outside the Adelphi Theatre when they heard the strains of Maori songs at the reception to the New Zealand troops on leave given by Mr Jordan and other New Zealanders resident in London. Lord and Lady Willingdon and Mrs Freyberg were present. Lord Willingdon and Mr Jordan welcomed the troops. The Maoris sang “ Hoki Hoki," the Maori Battalion song, and “Pa Atarau,” and were enthusiastically acclaimed. Well-known London artists, including Arthur Isaacs and Leslie Henson, entertained the troops. , The Adelphi. almost next door to New Zealand House, has become the

focal point for New Zealanders on leave. New Zealanders have again seen the haunts of the last war’s soldiers, including the famous Chandos Bar, near the Strand, where there is a unique counter of one block of wood on which hundreds of New Zealanders during the last war carved their names. , / The troops, after the Adelphi reception, crowded into the historic “Haeremai” corner in the .Tivoli basement bar. New Zealanders In London a few years ago subscribed a brass plate marking the corner and bearing the words “Haeremai New Zealand Corner.” R.N.V.R. Officers and Men Mr W. J. Jordan inspected and welcomed a number of New Zealand R.N.V.R. officers and ratings who came to England with the New Zealand troops. They have had leave, and are now going to .different stations for a short period of training. The New Zealanders paraded on the barrack square of a British naval station, and gave three cheers for Mr Jordan after a speech of welcome, in which he drew attention to New Zealand's part in the Graf Spee battle. Mr Jordan said:

“You’ve come over for a big job, and you are going to do what some of us older men tried to do. I know you will do it, as you are every bit as good as your predecessors” Maori Violinist New Zealand troops on leave are now a ft miliar sight in London streets. One Maori drew great attention in fashionable Oxford street when he took a violin from a white-haired old man wearing a badge of the last war and began to plry classical music. The old man took his cap around.. and trebled his usual, street takings within a few minutes. All the London newspapers publish a photograph of Mr Churchill shaking hands outside No. 10 Downing street with an Aucklander, Lieutenant Noel Gibson, son of Mr Noel Gibson, herdmaster of Dilworth School. Mr Churchill was leaving No. 10 for the House of Commons when he saw three New Zealand officers, whom he greeted and talked with for several minutes. Lord Gifford then entertained the party at tea in the House of Lords