Valedictory Gathering at Dromore.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 6456, 24 December 1904, Page 2

Valedictory Gathering at Dromore.

PRESENTATION TO MR AND MRS A. C. MAXWELL.

A farewell social w;is teudered Mr and Mrs A. G. Maxwell in the Drornoro public schoolroom la^t evening on tho eve of their doparcare from tho district. The room h <d tieen nicely dec >rat;od with flowers and evergreens, and preheated a pleasing an<i attractive sight.

Among those pressnt were Messrs T. Langloy (Acbon), Alex Jamisson, and A. C. Cameron (Dundas.) Mr Ja-nes Allen, who wa3 unanimously voted to the chair, said it was unnecessary on his part to say that he was pleased to see so many present, which was a fact that spoke volume 3in favour of the guests they had assembled that, evening to honour. Those assembled would no doubt be fully aw.ire that Mr Maxwell had accepted the position of headmaster to the Tat Tapn public school nfter a eojourn in Dromore of about fourteen years. The large gathering that evening showed conclusively that Mr and Mrs Maxwell were held in very high respect and esteem by the people of Dromore, and it was superfluous on his part to say that everyone in the locality regretted the depnrture of their guests. Everyone who had any knowledge of public life, should bo t'.ware that a schoolmaster's position was not always an enviable one, — ' for to suit the tastes of all, a man, no matter how clever, had a great deal to contend with. As practically one of the oldest sottlers in the district, he had invariably found Mr Maxwell and his good wife obliging, courteous, and forbearing to tha utmost degrep, and it was the fact of their possessing these characteristics, no doubt, that had brought about their popularity among the residents of Dromore. (& pplause) ' ersonally he had a great deal to thank Mr Maxwell for, inasmuch as he he (Mr Maxwe'l) had taught from infancy right through the course of primary education six of the speaker's children, two of whom had gained scholarships. With regard to Mrs Maxwell, her sterling qualifications were well-known, and the many deeds of kindness she had extended to her neighbours in Dromore had commanded for that lady the highest re spect and esteem of all assembled. He felt sure that he was Ivoicing the sentiments of every resident in Dromore in regretting the departure of such well tried and worthy friends as Mr and Mrs Maxwell, and in expressing a hope that their career in the future would be marked by success and prosperity. (Applause.) On behalf of the many admirers of Mrs Maxwell he had extreme pleasure in presenting that lady with a lady's travelling companion, and he trusted that Mrs Maxwell would not accept the gift for its mere intrinsic value, but for- the kindly feeling that had prompted the subscribers in thus showing their sincere appreciation. (Prolonged applause.) On behalf of his many friends he had much pleasure in presenting Mr Maxwell with a purse of sovereigns, and along with the speaker had been asked to convey the kindly sentiments hia (Mr Maxwell's) many friends in Dromore had towards him, and the regret they felt at his departure from the district.

(Applause)

In responding on behalf of himself and wife, Mr Maxwell said that on such, an occasion it was extremely difficult to give any due expression of sentiment in response to the kindly feelings that had been shown towards him that evening in such a practical way. There was more in his heart than in his head at that moment, and for any short comings he trusted he would be excused. He had arrived in the Dromore district some 13£ yeara ago, as a young man, and during his sojourn in their mid-it, he had made many sterling friends, and had fouud the residents, one and all, of the most kind and sincere character. Since his rasidenco in Dromore he had witnessed the residents passing through times both of adversity and prosperity, and it afforded him no little pleasure to state that the present condition of affairs tended to prosperity, and placed Dromore as one of the foremost and most prosperous districts in the colony. He would not say that this had altogether been brought about by circumstances, aud it was hardly necessary for him to state on the other hand that the present piosnerous standing of the residents was due in a measure to hard work aud perseverance. During either adversity or prosperity, the residents of Dromore bad treated him with uuvarying kindness, which went to prove they wore not merely fair weather friends. Ever since he had been appointed to the new position at Tai Tapu he did not feel more keenly than at the present time his sense of regret at leaving Dromore, and it was this fact in itself that made the present function somewhat uncongenial. The presents that had been tendered to Mrs Maxwell and himself that evening, he need not say, would bo highly treasured in the future, not for the intrinsic value but for the acoompanying good fellowship and kindly sentiment that had prompted the subscribers. He was not aware that he possessed any particular virtue that required to be made prominent, but he could assure them that he had always endeavoured to do his duty in and outside of the school without fei»r or favour. He had never courted any man's favour or feared any man's displeasure, for when one endeavoured to do *"hat was right and proper these issues could be well left alone. For the uniform kindness that had been tendered to himself and family during the past 13 % years, he desired to return thanks, and his sincere hope was that the residents of Dromore would continue to prosper, and that the school under new management would still advance. (Applause). On behalf of the ex-pupils of the school, Mr James Hanrahan presented Mr Maxwell

with a handsome piece of furniture in the

shape of a writing cabinet, and in handing over the gift the speaker spoke kindly and respectfully of his master and expressed a hope that in years to come the same good fellowship would follow the recipient from his present pupila.

Mr Maxwell briefly responded. He said that he never fdlt so highly honoured in his life and the good wishes that had evidently prompted his ex-pupils to make the presentation were highly reciprocated. He liked the young women and men of

Dromore, and he was especially pleased to think that in company and in every phase of life they behaved themselves in a right and proper ininner—-?whioh could not be paid of the young people of every district in the county (Applause). Although he was leaving the district, he hoped that the young people would not forget him, and he need not mention that when they came to Tai Tapu, they would be (always heartily

welcomed,

In a neat speech Mr James Gibson, Junr. on behalf of the" Sandow "class,presented Mr Maxwell with a handsome silver mounted pipe and case as a small token of the respect and e3fceem ia which the recipient was held by them. Mr Maxwell hud inaugurated the class and the pupils felt that a great benefit had been conferred thereby on themselves.] Acknowledging the gift and the compliment tendered him from the Sandow class, Mr Maxwell said' that' although he had practically 1 been instrumental in starting the system in Dromore, the results had been so gratifying that he had never regretted the step, and his sincere wish was that the classes would be continued. Pie was a great believer in the Sandow system, and no time was more opportune for developing the body than in youth. A good denl.had been said recently about the deterioration of the race, and he could assure those assembled that if physical culture was closely followed, !such remarks would not be made. (Applause).

At this juncture cheers wore given to the echo for Mr and Mrs Maxwell and family, and again briefly acknowledging the compliment. Mr Maxwell said ho was pleased to recognise that his efforts ia the district as schoolmaster had boon fully appreciated, and he was doubly glrul l£' (he fact that in leaving the district ho was accompanied by the respect and esteem of those wh«m be valued as personal and weU-tried friend?.

During the evening a liberal programme of recitation, music, and song was submitted by the young people of Dromore, the following taking part: — Misses Stokes, Wilson, Muggie Doig, McMullan, Me?srs P., F., and J. Hanrahau, 4l«x. Jamiyson. Maxwell, Harper, Traill] others. Needless to say, the proceedings were anjpyablo, and the efforts of the. performers to please were fully appreciated. The ladies of the district provided an ample supply of refreshments, and the function wa9 concluded with a dance, Mr -ytncs providing firat-class music,