VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10704, 30 March 1926, Page 5

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

GATHERING AT LONGBEACH. GIFTS TO MR AND MRS MARCH. A large gathering of friends and wellwishers met in the Waterton Hall last evening to bid good-bye to Mr and Mrs N. March, who are retiring from farming and making their home in Ashburton. It is just on 50 years since Mr and Mrs March went to the Longbeach district, being employed in the early days on the Longbeach Estate, where Mr March worked until some 15 years ago, when he commenced farming oil his own account. _ _ An apology was received from Mr J. O. N. Grigg, who was unavoidably called to Wellington, and in his absence Mr W. Hopwood ably carried out the duties of chairman. , . . Mr W. T. Lill, as an old friend of the family, recounted many pleasant incidents in the life of ,Mr and Mrs March. Mrs March had been m great demand when doctors were few _ and when nurses were hard to get, and she* had helped in many cases of sickness and distress. She kept an open door; to all who needed her help. Mr Lill warned Mr March of the many dangem of town life. He professed that the game of bowls would be irresistible, and that Mr March would be <a^.J!^ r added to the long list of retired farmers to succumb to its charms. Mr J. P. Blee also referred to Mr March’s valuable work as chairman of the School Committee. For 20 years bo was a Sunday-school teacher. The district could ill afford to part with such*. W Barr, on behalf of the residents of the Longbeach district, presented Mr and Mrs March with two handsome easy-chairs and a wallet of notes. Speaking for the many subscribers he assured the recipients that they had many friends, who appreciated the work they had done during their long residence in the district, and wished them many happy years am their new

k°lrf replying, Mr March thanked' alb for the many kind wishes expressed. His early day experiences were verysimilar to the other pioneers, who, like himself, had witnessed the sv amp converted into grazing and ploughable land. The water-courses that formerly ran like rivers when in flood, were now distributed by the County into vgluable water-races, and used to aovantage. It needed stout hearts m those days to cope with the many difficulties* that came to one and all. It gave him great pleasure to meet many friends of the old days who had gathered tosay good-bye. . A good programme was given by local performers. Miss Seal acted asaecompaniste Supper was handed round, and the hall cleared for dancing,, under the direction of Mr R. Gluyas.