MARTON NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 16, 19 January 1946, Page 2

MARTON NOTES

WELCOME HOME

AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION

“Welcome homo’’ were the sentiments expressed by one and all at the largest and mo. t enthusiastic gathering of returned service personnel at a dinner organised by the Marion Zone M Patriotic Committee in the Druids' Hall on Thursday, when about 200 returned servicemen and ne>t-oi-kin took part in ■. happy reunion

The ladies’ committee had provided a most sumptuous repait of all the delicacies of a chef’s art, and the meeting of many old friends and comrades was very gratifying to their parents sweethearts and wives.

After honouring the loyal toast, Mr. C. C. McDonald, secretary of the Patriotic CommiU.ee, called the rol, and the following answered and were heartily applauded :—Gnr. M. R. Adams, Spr. C. R. Anderson, W/Cmdr. J. Arkwright, Dvr. F. H. D. Bartlett, Pte. N. T. Benseman, Pte. A. E. Brightwell, S/Sgt. J. T. Brown, A.S. Biackledge, T/Cpl. E. V. Calkin, Gnr. K. Campbell, Cpl. S- J. Christopher, Sgt. L. R. Chainey, Gnr. L. Coleman, R. Coleman, Capt. D. Christen.cn, T/Cpl. E. Gibbs W/O K. Gattrell, Tpr. C. J. M. Griffiths, Sgmn. L. R. Hunt, F/Sgt. W. R. Hammond, Pte. H. D. Hawkins, Tpr. R. H. Hardy, T/Cpl. F. N. Hunt, Dvr. J. D. Hutton, Pte. C. Hyde, F/Sgt. M. Henderson, F/O J. H. Hunt. Sgt. F. W. D. Hill, W/O II E. O. Hill, Gnr. I. Jolly, Pte. C. L. Lewis, Pte. N. C. Lewis, Pte. S. J. Lewis, T/Cpl. N. W. Lewis, Second/Lieut. N. B. Langtson, F/Sgt. N. Miles, Pte. C. A. Marshall, C. Muir, B. McCully, L/Cpl. K. P. Oliver, L/Cpl. E. W. B. Oliver, Miss B. Oliver, S/Sgt. R. D. Powell, Tpr. F. P. Poppe, Pte. I. L. Robinson, D. Smith, Sgt. 1. F. Sicely, T/Sub-Lieut. D. B. Stanford, F/Lt. J. K. Stanford, Pte. F. E. Saddler, S/Sgt. N. L. Shelton, T/Cpl. E. C. Smart, Pte. W. J. Sutton, F/O F. C. Sanders, Dvi. .R. Townsend, W. O L. V. Williams, and Pte. E. H. White.

Mr. F. Purnell chairman of the Patriotic Committee, proposing the toast of “Returned Servicemen and Women,” said: “When something unusual and of a most pleasing nature occurs we refer to it as being a Ted letter day.’ With a little variation we may class January, 1946, as a ‘red let.er month,’ inasmuch as over 14,000 servicemen and women have returned or will have returned to this Dominion this month after having given ovreseas moi>t outstanding services to the Empire in the hours of its greatest need.

“The Marton district has its full quotas of these large drafts, and we are indeed proud of their contribution to the common cause and grateful for their safe return,” said Mr. Purnell.

“I have reason for saying that the servicemen and servicewomen are more than plea-ed to return to this well-favoured Dominion. “It is now some time since we had our last welcome home dinner. In the interval really very lew units have returned. We believe these units will readily understand the reason for not holding this dinner sooner. We wished this hall to be well filled, so that we could have that satisfactory and jolly party which is invariably as ociated with a full muster and a full house, not only for the next-of-kin but also for servicemen and servicewomen who could again meet at a gathering of this kind before settling down once more to civil life. We do so much hope tha never again will the pride of our youth be required to take up arms to suppress enemy aggression and tyranny.

“Moreover, we wished Io welcome you home in New Zealand summer weather. It would almost appear as if the pre ent. summer had been delayed so that it. would coincide with the arrival of January’s large drafts. “You have represented the Dominion on all lighting from s—and there were many—on land, on sea, and in the air. Recently that great publication, the London ‘Times,’ paid a striking tribute to the services rendered by the New Zealand Division, and particularly the contribution made in the area described by the Empire's great war leader, Winston Churchill, as the ‘under belly of the Axis Powers.’ It is on record that the enemy fought stubbornly over a long period to defend it, and was often in desperate conflict with the New Zealand Division. It is also on record that a major collapse and mass surrender by the enemy was on that front. The final surrender came soon afterwards. The division certainly built up a reputation that will always be regarded as a brilliant page in history. What the division did in the Middle Eart other New Zealand units, large and small, and there were many, on all the fighting fronts, and again there were many, and representing all the branches of the Armed Forces, performed equally well and made an invaluable contribution. They were always fully represented wherever the enemy could be found. All of you receive our heartfelt gratitude. ‘May you in the future be as successful in the peace as you have been in war. “No doubt you. as well as we, in our quiet moments will iemember with proud grief those tine lads and girls who were a socialed with you overseas, and who cannot be with us to share the triumph and rejoicing. All honour to their memory.

“This gathering has been promoted by the Patriotic Society. The ladies’ committee and the hon. secretary, Mr. C. C. McDonald, have again made every effort to make this gathering worthy of the occasion.

“We have waited with much patience, or more correctly much impatience, for your somewhat delayed return. Now* that you are ac ually back again, we say in all sincerity, ‘Well done, welcome home.’ ”

Miss Betty Oliver, Staff-Sergeant N. Shelton, Sub-Lieu t. D. B. Stanford and Flying Officer J. H. Hunt, responded on behalf of men of their respective services, and thanked the committee for the patriotic parcels, which had been greatly appreciated They had all looked forward to those parcels and also to their return to New Zealand.

’ Staff-Sergeant N. Shelton voiced the opinion of the married men of the wonderful work that had been carried on by their wives in. spile of difficulties that they had to surmount. “The Next-of-kin” was proposed by Mr. A. B. Caverhill, and responded to by Mr. J. R. L. Stanford and Mr. A. Hutton.

“The Ladies’ Committee and Patriotic Committee” came in for a good deal of praise from T/Corporal E. V. Calkin, who referred to the send-offs '.hat had been accorded them when they loft for overseas and the gifts of woollen garments that, had accompanied their good wishes. They had been very useful, and also the parcels that had arrived every three months. In responding, Mr. C. C. McDonald slated that the ladies had done a wonderful job light throughout the Dominion, and they had been n great factor in maintaining the morale of ourt roops overseas. Il had iol been easy work, but the manner in which the Executive and the ladies' committee had co-operated had made It \ cry pleasant, especially now that, they could meet their loved ones al the festive board. In concluding, Mr. McDonald sincerely hoped that the . er- \ icemen would soon be rehabilitated I into civilian life.

Miss Beckett briefly responded or. behalf of the ladies’ committee. Community singing was led by Mr. T. Barton and heartily enjoyed, and

“Auld Lang Syne” concluded the most successful “welcome home” held in Marton. Mr. Don Morris presided at the piano.

R.S.A. WELCOME HOME DANCE On Thursday eveni:< the Victory Hall was virtually packed to the doors to welcome home the recently returned men.

Ably supported bv Mr. Pompey Durie’s orchestra, the dance maintained a line swing throughout the evening.

Mr. G. B. Gregory, assisted by Mr. C. C. McDonald, gave the men their formal welcome home on behalf of the R.S.A.

The spot waltz was won by Miss Nash and partner, and the Monte Carlo went to Mrs. Burton and Mr. Dickson. The raffle as usual proved a feature of the evening's entertainment, and was won by Mr. Hamish McLean. NEW BUS SERVICE

Notifica'ion of a reserved decision granting a (ran. port passenger licence to a returned serviceman to operate a bus daily from Taihape to Iluntervillo, was received from the Transport Licensing Authority, Mr J. P. O. Skoglund, at n meeting of the Marton Borough Council on Wednesday evening. The bus will connect with a service to Wanganui from Hunterville and to Palmerston North from Marton. FEDERATED FARMERS OF NEW

ZEALAND. OHINGAITI BRANCH.

The annual meeting of the Ohingaiti branch of the Federated Farmers of New Zealand will be held in the Ohingaiti Hall on Monday, January 21, at 8 p.m. when the election of officers and general business will be transacted. MARTON A. AND P. SHOW

Intending exhibitors are reminded hat entries for all stock sections close on Monday, January 21, with the secretary, P.O. Box 3, Marton. Shcedules will be posted on application to the secretary. DENTAL CLINIC COMMITTEE The Marton Dental Committee advises that owing to Miss Clark's indisposition the School Denial Clinic will no! reopen until the commencement of the school term.