TE PUKE, BAY OF PLENTY
REUNION OF OLD SETTLERS
15 NOVEMBER 1945

TE PUKE TIMES - FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30, 1945

THE GREAT REUNION — AS FAR AS 85 YEARS AGO
HUGE CROWD OF OLD-TIMERS GATHERING IN CAPITOL THEATRE

An event of equal importance to the foundation of Te Puke was the recent reunion of old identities which took place in the Capitol Theatre on November 15th (1945). As far as can be gathered Te Puke came into being by accident but the reunion was brought about by the kindly thought of Messrs T E Palmer, A J Collins and H L Cashmore who came to the conclusion that a great many old-timers would love to see each other again if it was at all possible to do so. Therefore they decided, as the pioneers did, that nothing is impossible if there is a will to do it.

So a committee was formed and out of their deliberations and concerted work evolved one of the most unique events in New Zealand, a gathering of town and district old folk returned for a brief spell from far afield.

The function itself was most elaborately arranged with care and attention to all ages and tastes. The really old folk were entertained at supper on the stage and the younger old folk were regaled with all kinds of poultry in the supper room. Mrs Borrie’s premises has been hired for the occasion and set up as an extra lounge, dainty waitresses comprising a bevy of delightful daughters of old-timers. These charming girls were on the move throughout the evening and obeyed the slightest wish of the huge attendance.

The hall and annexes has been very tastefully decorated, greenery and flowers being in abundance, the supper tables being a picture. The Tauranga Pipe Band was present, which added to the thrill and colour, and Spragg’s dance band played old time tunes to old time dances.

After the arrival of the Pipers, Mr T E Palmer gave welcome to the huge attendance, stating that there was no set programme but it was just a case of moving around, intermingling with old friends and swapping yarns of the good old days. He gave thanks for the response to the invitation of the committee and he hoped one and all would make the most use of the occasions. "Make merry amongst yourselves and go right back to the old times."

Songs were given by Miss Mavis Kerr, Mrs McCrea and Mr Geo Reekie, and dances by Miss Lorna Blevie and Mr Dave Bothwell, accompanied on the pipes by Pipe-Sergeant J Graham.

Masters of Ceremony were Messrs Ed Raymond and Oc. Webber, who had a trying time in that hundreds of old friends did meet and exchange greetings. There was no saying just when someone would meet with mutual recognition — and the happy exclamations were — well, just lovely.

As far as we were able to ascertain the oldest lady present was dear old Granny Bennett of Papamoa, who is a sprightly 84 years of age. Mrs Bennett was the first white lady to come to Papamoa.

The oldest gentleman present was Mr Fred Burton of Tauranga, now in his 85th year.

Mr Fred Vercoe, 81 years of age, said it was 53 years ago that he lived in Te Puke. Both he and Mr Daniel Marungai gave a speech from the dias.

(Since the function Mr Palmer has received piles of letters thanking he and his committee for the wonderful opportunity given of meeting old friends and the magnificent manner in which the function was arranged and conducted.)

Mr Dave Veitch made a great effort to secure the signatures of those present and this book will most definitely be a museum piece. Some of the signatures are difficult to decipher but we have done our best to repeat them below for the benefit of the many that could not be present. It may not be a complete list and any names missing are deeply regretted. As mentioned, Dave did try hard to get everybody.

It is also pointed out that in many cases Mrs — was known in this district as Miss -.

ALEXANDER A E Mr Auckland
ALLPORT M A Te Puke
ANTICH V J Te Puke
ANTRAM F Te Puke
ANTRAM F Mrs Te Puke
ATTRILL E Mrs (Snr) Te Puke
ATTRILL J W Mr & Mrs Te Puke
BAKER A P Mr & Mrs Te Puke
BAKER H J Te Puke
BALL E Te Puke
BALL L Pongakawa
BARNETT T Mr & Mrs Te Puke
BARROW A Mr & Mrs Te Puke
BARROW G Mr & MRs Te Puke
BEAR H Mrs Cambridge
BEAZLEY Fred Tauranga
BELL A M Tauranga
BELL Robert Cambridge
BENNER B Mr & Mrs Te Puke
BENNER J Mr & Mrs Te Puke
BENNETT J Te Puke
BENNETT K A Papamoa
BENNETT S G Papamoa
BENNETT W A Paengaroa
BENNETT Walter Mr & Mrs Te Puke
BILLING R R Pukehina
BLAYMIRES Arlene B Te Puke
BLAYMIRES J N Te Puke
BOSTOCK A Miss Te Puke
BOUCHER C N Okoroire
BRADFORD M Miss Te Puke
BRINDLE W R Tauranga
BROWNLEE R Mr & Mrs Te Puke
BURTON F Tauranga
CAMPNY R H Mrs Te Puke
CARPENTER N Mr & Mrs Te Puke
CARRUTH Alex Te Puke
CARRUTH E M Miss Te Puke
CASHMORE M L Mrs Te Puke
CHAPLIN A M Tirau
CLARK W Mrs Te Puke
CLEARY R Mrs Te Puke
COLLINS A G Te Puke
COLLINS A J Mr & Mrs Te Puke
COLLINS F J Te Puke
COLLINS Len Te Puke
COLLINS Len Mr & Mrs Te Puke
CONWAY Jack Te Puke
COOPER E E Te Puke
COOPER E Mrs Morrinsville
CORBETT A M Tauranga
COSGROVE D Mrs Te Puke
COURTNEY Mavis Te Puke
DANE A Mrs Paeroa
DICKSON J Mr Papamoa
DICKSON J Mrs Papamoa
DOUGLAS S Te Puke
DRABBLE J W Te Puke
DRABBLE W Morrinsville
DUNCAN Colin Tirau
DUNCAN L Tirau
DUNLOP F B Mrs Te Puke
DUNLOP M Mrs Te Puke
FENTON A R Mr & Mrs Putaruru
FENTON R J Rotorua
FORD Jack Mr & Mrs Te Tumu
FOX H C Tauranga
FOX R Te Aroha
FRAZERHURST J L Dr Tauranga
GAIN John T Tauranga
GILL A C Mr & Mrs Te Puke
GILL H J Tauranga
GILL M M Tauranga
GILMORE J L Kairua, Tauranga
GILMORE R J Mr Te Puke
GORE-SYMES J Mrs Te Puke
GRAFAS N Te Puke
GRAHAM J Mrs Frankton
GRAY E Te Puke
GRAY W Te Puke
GRIFFIN B B Te Puke
GRIFFIN W J Te Puke
HARRAY W Mr & Mrs Te Puke
HARRIS M Te Puke
HARRIS W E Te Puke
HARRISON H -
HENDERSON Jas Mr & Mrs Te Puke
HENWOOD D Mrs Hamilton
HENWOOD Francis Claudelands
HIGGINSON A E Mr Te Puke
HIGGINSON F C Mr & Mrs Te Puke
HIGGINSON H Te Puke
HIHA R Mr & Mrs Pukehina
HINGSTON F E Te Puke
HINTON Mrs Te Rapa
HINTZ B A Te Puke
HINTZ B M Mrs Maketu
HOLMES I Mrs Auckland
HOOKEY W E Mr & Mrs Te Puke
HUGHES E L Te Puke
HUGHES E R Te Puke
JACKSON A W Te Puke
JAMIESON K Miss Te Puke
JENKINS T Mr & Mrs Te Puke
JOHNSON A Mrs Frankton
JONES Tetley Mr & Mrs Canaan Landing, Te Puke
JOYCE E J Mr & Mrs Ellerslie
JOYCE R Mr & Mrs Te Puke
KEIGHTLEY W Mr & Mrs Te Puke
KELEHER W Te Aroha
KELEKEI L M Mrs Te Aroha
KERR M K Miss Te Puke
LAMBERT G A Opotiki
LAMBERT V Mrs Opotiki
LAUGESOEN D Ohaupo
LEES R A Papamoa
LUKE C Tauranga
MABEY C T Tauranga
MacDOUGALL R O Ohinepanea
MANNIX J P Te Puke
MARK R Mr & Mrs Te Puke
MARSHALL S K Te Puke
MASON M Hamilton
McCAULEY A Te Puke
McCAULEY W Te Puke
McCORMICK Harvey Mrs Rotorua
McCORMICK R Rotorua
McCRACKEN A H Katikati
McCRACKEN H N Mr & Mrs Te Puke
McCRACKEN L Te Puke
McCRACKEN W C Te Puke
McCRAE Vera G Feilding
McCULLOUGH E L Tauranga
McELDOWNEY R Mr & Mrs Papamoa
McGEE R J Te Puke
McKEE E J Auckland
McKENZIE R Mr & Mrs Te Puke
McLAREN J Devonport
McLEOD H Papamoa
McLEOD J S Papamoa
McNAUGHTON J M Mr & Mrs Te Puke
MENDS G H Te Puke
MENDS I M Mrs Te Puke
MENDS M Te Puke
MILLER S Hamilton
MORTON A Papamoa
MORTON E Mr & Mrs Papamoa
MUIR C Te Puke
MUIR George J Te Puke
MUIR J M Te Puke
MUTTON R Mr & Mrs Te Puke
NORRIE A H Te Puke
O'CALLAGHAN Tai Mr & Mrs Pukehina
ODEN A B Tauranga
PALMER P H Te Puke
PALMER T E Te Puke
PATTERSON J L Miss Te Puke
PATTERSON W A Te Puke
PATTIE J A Mr & Mrs Te Puke
PEMBERTSON J V Mr & Mrs -
PERSEY J Mr & Mrs (Snr) Te Puke
PERSEY Jack Mr & Mrs (Jnr) Te Puke
PHILLIPS J Mr & Mrs Pongakawa
PILCHER Mollie Te Puke
RAYMOND Arthur Te Puke
RAYMOND E H Mr & Mrs Te Puke
REEKIE Geo W Te Puke
REID J T Mr & Mrs Pukehina
RENDELL G Mr & Mrs Te Puke
RIDDELL C O Mr & Mrs Papamoa
ROBERTS J M Mr & Mrs Rotorua
ROBINSON M Auckland
ROLFE Olive Auckland
RONALD J Mr & Mrs Te Puke
ROWLANDSON J Tauranga
RUNDLE G Te Puke
RYAN J P Mr & Mrs Te Puke
SAUNDERS Alice Te Puke
SAUNDERS J G Te Puke
SAUNDERS R S Te Puke
SCOTT P M Mrs Otahuhu
SELLER D N Rotorua
SHEARER W N Mr & Mrs Otamarakau
SHERMAN C H Mrs Tauranga
SHERSON A F Katikati
SIGNAL W E Tauranga
SINCLAI R S Mr & Mrs Auckland
SKUDDER R Mr & Mrs Te Puke
SLATER T Mr & Mrs Te Puke
SNODGRASS A H Mr & Mrs Te Puke
SORRENSON P Te Puke
STACKPOOLE F G Auckland
STEEL D M Mr & Mrs Te Puke
STEELE W G Mr & Mrs Paengaroa
SUPTON R Kaipaia
TANNER John Te Puke
TANNER T A Te Puke
TANNER T H Te Puke
THOMAS O A Mrs Te Puke
THOMPSON T Mr & Mrs Manoeka
TOD W G Mr & Mrs Te Puke
VEITCH D B Mr & Mrs Te Puke
VERCOE Innes Paengaroa
VERCOE J F Hamilton
VERCOE M P Paengaroa
WALKER F T Mr & Mrs Henderson
WALTER Frank Pongakawa
WALTERS Millie Pongakawa
WARD E H Mr & Mrs Te Puke
WASHER C F Mr & Mrs Tauranga
WASHER H A Mr & Mrs Te Puke
WASHER K Te Puke
WEBBER E O Mr & Mrs Te Puke
WEBBER H L Mr & Mrs Te Puke
WEBBER M Mrs Mt Maunganui
WEBBER M N Hamilton
WEBBER P H Hamilton
WEROHIA Captain & Mrs Papamoa
WESTERN S -
WESTON E E Rotorua
WHAKAATI M Te Puke
WICKHAM W E Te Puke
WILKINS H B Mr & Mrs -
WILKINS Jos Mrs Te Puke
WILKINS M A Mr & Mrs Pongakawa
WILLIAMS Wallace Mr & Mrs Te Tumu
WITHEROW F M Mrs Te Puke
WYMAN J W Mrs Te Puke




Return To HOME

FAMILIES I AM RESEARCHING | MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL STUFF | NEW ZEALAND — ON LINE GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY RESOURCES | NEW ZEALAND — YOUNG BOY IMMIGRANT SCHEME 1911 — 1914 | NEW ZEALAND DISASTERS AND TRAGEDIES | NEW ZEALAND MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL INDEXES | NEW ZEALAND LAND WARS — MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL INDEXES | NEW ZEALAND AND WORLD WAR ONE | NEW ZEALAND AND WORLD WAR TWO | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR AND WAR MEMORIALS — BY LOCATION | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR AND WAR MEMORIALS — BY CONFLICT | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR — MILITARY NURSES | PAKEHA/MAORI TRANSLITERATIONS | PASSENGER LISTS TO NEW ZEALAND | SHAND — FAMILY HISTORY | SOUTH TARANAKI, NEW ZEALAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES | SPONDON, DERBYSHIRE, ENGLAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES | WANGANUI COLLEGIATE SCHOOL 1865 — 1947 | WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY, NEW ZEALAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES