WILLOWBY RESIDENTS.
During the past month quite a number of farms' in the Wiliowby and neighbouring districts have changed hands, causing quite an exodus of residents. Among 'those who leave shortly for pastures; now are Mr Banks and family and Mr C. W. Parker and. family. The former arrived in the district about three years ago, and during their stay have, by their genial and kind dispositions, endeared them-, selves to those with whom they have conre in contact. Mr -Parker .and. family are oM residents, having resided in the I district for ('upwards of twenty yearn, and have during that, time been useful members of society,, taking an interest in all that "tended towards th-e good of the community. As both families have during their residence in Willowby and Winslow identified themselves with the/ Methodist Church, the .officers and' members decided to give them a "send-off" in the Church Schoolroom on Thursday overling. A goodly number of friends and well-wishers were present, and the Rev: Samuel •Bailey presided. Ho explained the object of the gathering, and stated that during his pastoral visits in the circuit he had found the guests of the Wening to be men and women of sterling, character, and ho had learned to love and respect them. He felt sorry that they were leaving the district, which wouM be all 'the poorer for their absence. He had, however, to accept the inevitable; and in happy speech, wished them, on behalf of the congregation' of the Wiflowby Church, God-speed and «access in their new homes. ' An interesting programme, consisting of songs and recitations, was then submitted and efficiently executed, the folowinj/ contributing items:—Songs, Messrs Lush, Hayman, and TJ. W. Hard in «i. Misses Osborne, Livingstone (encored). F. Chapman, and M.M. Lill; recitations, Mr G. H. B. Lill, Miss E. Lill and P. Lill. The programme was interspersed with short addresse\S by Mr W. T. Lill, TJ. W. Harding, and J. Watson, all of whom spoke of the good qualities of the departing friends, and on behalf of various organisations of the Church wished them God speed and every blessing in their future.
Mr W. T. Lill, on behalf of the gentlemen of the church, presented MiBanks with a silver-mounted walking stickj and Mr and Mrs Parker with a palm stand and jardiniere and trusted the recipients would live long to enjoy them. Mrs Lill, on behalf of the ladies of the church, presented Mrs Banks with an umbrella, and hoped she Would find it xisei'ul both in sunshine and shade. On behalf,of the young people, Mrs Bailey presented the Misses Banks each with a beautiful volume of poems, while Mr Watson presented Master Brinsley Parker with a pocket knife. Mr Banks and Mr Parker suitably responded for themselves and. their respective families, ._ and thanked the friends for the gifts which they would ever prize, and each expressed the hope that their friends would not forget to visit them in their new homes at Shirley and Lisniore. The audience then sang lustily, "For they are jolly good fellows," after which refreshments were handed round by the ladies and much enjoyed.
Mr Bailey apologised for the absence of Mr and Mrs S. S. Chapman and Mr and Mrs Hy. Chapman, who were unable to be present on account of sickness.
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Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9601, 5 May 1919
Word Count
551WILLOWBY RESIDENTS. Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9601, 5 May 1919
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