NAVAL VISITORS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5946, 22 May 1944, Page 2

NAVAL VISITORS

TE AWAMUTU HOSPITALITY MEN IMPRESSED WITH COUNTRY Eight members of the British Navy spent a few days’ leave in the Te Awamutu district over the week-end. They were the guests of Mrs A. Kay, Messrs A. E. Ray, E. H. Melville (Pokuru), and V. Oates (Te Mawhia). Four of them were present at the Pirongia sports on Saturday. In the course of conversation with a Courier representative, they stated that they were on their first visit to New Zealand. They were enchanted with the country and its climate, and were enthusiastic in their praise of the hospitality of the people. In regards to the sports they said it was the first time, they had seen chopping events, and they were interested in the events. Two of the sailors were from England, one from Scotland, and one from Wales. They eagerly availed themselves of the opportunity to try themselves out as horsemen. The party return to their base today. In connection with the above one of the hosts remarked that it was noteworthy that no extra benzine could b< obtained in order to give’ the men a greater opportunity in the limited time at their disposal to see more of the country. He was wishful to take his guests to the Waitomo Caves, but was unable to do so as he could not get extra benzine to make the trip. In view of the easy way in which O.thers can obtain benzine for special purposes, the refusal of the authorities to grant extra benzine to the men to whom we owe so much is remarkable, to say the least.