OWAKA.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXVI, Issue 1319, 28 July 1899, Page 5

OWAKA.

.* ■-. ». I . - FAREWELL SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION TO : WRAND MRS DABINETT; On Monday evening a social .was held in Paterson's Hall for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mr and Mrs Dabinett and also presenting Mr .Dabinett with a purse cf sovereigns. The hall was tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers, and the -following, inscription which was very appropriate for the occasion,, was placed on the wall above the platform—" I was sick and ye visited me." Notwithstanding the fact that the ground was covered with show, about three hundred persons .wore, present. This, fact alone speaks volumes for the respect and esteem in which Mr and Mrs Dabinett are held. Many of those present came from a considerable distance,' and had tha roads and' weather been good many more would have been present from the outlying districts. ■ Mr F. Bradfield occupied the chair. The meeting was opened with prayer by Mr Budd, who is at present filling the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church. The programme was then proceeded with, the first item being a selection on the organ by Mrs R. Morton which was well received. The chairman's remarks next followed. Mr Bradfield said he had known Mr and Mrs Dabinett for. many years, and instanced the first time when he really became aware of their sympathy with the sick and suffering, and from that time till now, they had grown in his respect and esteem. He also stated that Mr Dabinett had been ready to go at any time to the assistance of those in need, and that Mr and Mrs Dabinett could not receive too much praise for their good works. The district they were going to would receive grand, settlers and he was sure tbey could not but feel gratified t3 see so many at the meeting. The service of song " Frozen to death " was then, rendered by a choir numbering about twenty voices. Mr Donaldson ably weilded the conductor's baton. Miss Ettie Dutton presided at the organ and played the various parts with her usual ability. The connective readings were well rendered by Mr W. Saunders, who also gave a brief outline of the subjects. At the conclusion of the piece the performers were accorded a hearty round of applauf c The Bey. W. Wingfield was then called upon to make the presentation to Mr Dabinett and in doing so stated that both Mr and Mrs Dabinett had very many friends who held them in esteem and regard and their friendship was not to be judged by the amount presented which was the offerings of grateful heaits. Mr Dabinett had often gone 10 miles at night to assist some suffering one, and but for bis skill limbs and lives would have been lost. Some people lived in places ten or twenty years and were but little heard of, simply because they lived for themselves, and he thought each one of us should act the part of the good Samaritan more than we do. We have not all the same abilities, and in losing Mr Dabinett we are losing one whose place it will be hard to fill. Then addressing Mr Dabinett he said "Insk you to accept this purse as a token of our esteem and regard, and may God bless and prosper you in your new home."— (Applause). Mr Dabinett in returning thanks, said : Friends, I value your gift. But what I do value more is your friendship. You have shown me such courtesy and respect that I cannot find words to express my gratitude and you have sent me away greatly your debtor. I have spent the best of my life here and I did not fully realise the wrench the leaving here would be till I was asked to attend this meeting. Wherever lam I will always cherish the friendship of those at Owa-ka. — (Applause.) Three hearty cheers were here given for Mr and Mrs Dabinett. . Refreshments were then handed round, after which Miss Glass gave a selection on the organ. Space will not permit of furth* r details, but briefly, solos were sung by Mrs M'Lean and Mr Jackman, wbich were both encored and responded to.. Short addresses were given by Messrs Edie, Osborn and Tobin. Votes of thanks were accorded to the singers, the ladies for providing refreshments,' Mr Donaldson conductor, Mr W. Saunders for the active part he had taken, and the Chairman. A meeting which will long be remembered in Owaka was brought to a close by the company standing and singing " God be with you till we meet again." Mr Dabinett was carried shoulder high from the hall. Though the amount was not mentioned I am quite within the bounds in saying it was about L6O.