MAORI SOLDIERS ON FURLOUGH

Southland Times, Issue 25709, 19 July 1943, Page 6

MAORI SOLDIERS ON FURLOUGH

Entertainment At Bluff A largely attended function, arranged by the Haere Tonu Maori party, was held in Bluff on Friday night to honour three members of the Maori Battalion home from the Middle East, Captain T. Gilroy, Sergeant-Major R. Waitiri and Sergeant A. Russel, M.M. As the guests and their relations entered the hall they were greeted with a “powhiri” by members of the party in Maori costume and conducted to the stage, where Mr T. Spencer, the leader, delivered a speech of welcome in Maori. Later in the evening presentations from the Maoris of Bluff were mad? to each man. The Mayor, Mr N. W. McGorlick, in welcoming them home referred to the fact that two members of the Maori Battalion, Sergeant Russel and Gunner Wixon, had returned to Bluff with honours. The Hon. T. F. Doyle, M.L.C., spoke of the achievements of the Maori Battalion in battle and mentioned the epic fight of the late Lieutenant Moana Ngarimu, V.C., of whom the whole Maori race could feel proud. The Mayor of Invercargill, Mr A. Wachner, who was present with Mrs Wachner, said he felt honoured to be present on such an occasion. Captain Gilroy, Sergeant-Major Waitiri and Sergeant Russel expresed their thanks for the entertainment. Items were given by members of the Haere Tonu party.