RANGIORA.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 248, 23 November 1914, Page 5

RANGIORA.

The members of- the North Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. assembled in force at: their rooms, on Saturday evening to bid farewell to their treasurer, Mi ; T. J. Hunter, who is leaving the district, to take over the management'of the Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Fanners' Co-operative. The vice-presi-dent, Mr T. Leech, presided. 1 The chairman, in proposing the toast of the guest, referred to the excellent qualities possessed by their treasurer, and asked him to accept three presents (a silver tureen, a black ebony silvermounted walking stick, and a case of pipes), as a small token of the esteem in which he had been held by the Association. Mr Van Asche also spoke to the toast. He remarked that Mr Hunter possessed two excellent qualities which, he considered, conduced to his success. They were honesty and energy. Messrs F. Horrell (chairman of the County Council), A. Ironsides, and A. S. Clarkson also spokei Mr Hunter, on rising to respond, was greeted with prolonged cheers. He thanked the members for their very valuable gifts to Mrs Hunter and himself, and said he would ever remember the very pleasant time he had spent in Rangiora. He trusted that he would be able to visit the -Rangiora Show each year, when he hoped to have the opportunity of seeing his old friends, and he extended a hearty welcome to all when they visited Ashburton. The following toasts were honoured during the evening:—"Local Bodies" (proposed by Mr T. Mcintosh, responded to by'Mr F. Horrell), "North Canterbury A. and P. Association'' (proposed by Mr J. Johns, responded to by Messrs J. Stevenson and A. S. Clarkson), "Farming Community" (proposed by Mr W. Efford, responded to by Messrs B. Fergussou and A. Ironsides),

"Entertainers" (proposed by Mr A. SL Clarkson, responded to by Mr A. Malcolm),/ ''The Chairman,'' and l *Thft Press.*'' Mr A. S.Clarkson, in replying to the , toast of the Association, referred tp; the great war and the gallant sonsof New Zealand who were on their way to the front,, among whom was their secretary, Major B. S. Jordan> who he> hoped would return safely with the Victoria Cross, to again take up hik\ position as secretary. He asked all present to remember our gallant, the poor little Belgians, and he would have pleasure in sending round a plate for the Food for Britain and Belgium Fund. The collection resulted in the sum of £3' 16/9 being added to this fund. The following gentlemen contributed to the musical programme:—Messrs Malcolm, T. Forrest, A. Ironsides, H. H. McNelly, and W. Jamieson. Mr Gibbst Jordan presided at the piano.