AMERICAN MARINES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25173, 13 March 1943, Page 2

AMERICAN MARINES

IMPENDING VISIT TO OAMARU PLANS FOR HOSPITALITY (Special) OAMARU, Mar. 12. A meeting of representatives of various organisations was held in the Borough Council Chambers this afternoon to make arrangements for hospitality to be extended to American marines from Gaudalcanar, Fiji, and other islands, who are shortly to visit Oamaru on 10 days or a fortnight’s leave. The Mayor (Mr J. CrKirkness) was in the chair, and Mr M. F. Woodward (secretary of the British - American Co-operation Association) carried out the duties of acting-secretary. Mr Kirkness explained how the Primary Production Council had convened the meeting, and he thanked Mr R. B. Meek for the interest he had taken in the matter. There would be 60 men in the party, and they wished to place them In suitable homes in North Otago for their holiday. They were mostly country boys, and anyone who could take them would find them very appreciative. He suggested that a committee should be set up to attend to the arrangements. This suggestion was acted on, and tire British-American Co-operation Association, with Mr A. C. Piper (secretary of the Returned Services’ Association) was appointed a committee, with power to coopt representatives from other organisations. The Mayor asked all to urge friends and organisations to offer hospitality to the visitors. He added that there would be other parties at a later date.