COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 110, 19 February 1937, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.) WESTERFIELD. VALEDICTORY SOCIAL. The Westerfield School was filled to capacity on Tuesday evening by residents from far and near to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs W. J. Lowry and Mr John MacMillan. The meeting was presided over by Mu W. T. Lill (chairman of the School Committee). Mrs Lowry came to Westerfield with her parents in the early days, and was one of the first pupils on the school roll. Mr Lowry, who was horn in Ireland and came to Westerfield 35 years ago, followed the trade of farmerblacksmith until a few months ago, r when he handed the business over to his" eldest son and went to reside in Ashburton. The high esteem which the guests are held was shown by the large gathering. Mr H. Dillon, in presenting Mr and Mrs Lowry, on behalf of the residents and Presbyterian Church, with a chesterfield suite and satin cushion, eulogised the good qualities of the recipients, mentioning their helpfulness and usefulness to the district through a long period of years. Mr Lill presented Mr J. MacMillan, who has been head teacher for seven and a half years and is leaving to take up a jjosition on the staff of the Waitaki Boys’ High School, on behalf of the parents and residents, with a solid leather initialled suitcase and travelling rug. Mr Lill spoke of the happy relations that had always existed between parents, committee, teacher and pupils. On behalf of the present pupils of the school, Brian Lill presented Mr MacMillan with a presentation copy oi the poetical works of Sir Walter Scott. For the committee and old pupils, Mr D. Shaw (secretary) and Mr D. Shaw, junr., presented him with volumes as mementoes. Speeches were made by the Lev. D. D. MacLachlan (on behalf of the Lagmhor Presbvteriau Church, Messrs R. Walker, K.‘Campbell, and D. Shaw. In rising to reply, the guests were greeted with applause and musical honours.

An enjoyable programme was given as follows: —Opening chorus, school children; piano duet, Miss M. and Master B. Lill ; songs. Misses Fiona Findlay- Mavis Shaw, Messrs J- MacMillan' G. d’Auvergne, A. C. Wilson, and W. Denlev; monologues and sketches, Mr A.'H. Todd; recitations, Miss O. Langdon and Master Allan Thomas. . . . , After supper, dancing was indulged in with music bv Mesdames D. Snaw, D. MacMillan and Mr J. MacMillan (piano) and Mr R. Hooper (mouth organ). ,