CLINTON PRESENTATIONS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 91, 4 June 1912, Page 5

CLINTON PRESENTATIONS.

Although steady rain fell at Clinton on Friday night the Clinton Coronation Hall was well filled with town and country folk,who gathered to pay public recognition to three farmers who have sold their farms and intend leaving Clinton. The gentlemen are Messrs D. Willaimson, John Wallace, md William Paterson. The sociul was held under the auspices of- the Clinton Branch of the N.Z.F.U., but it was not a solely Union function, and all classes of the community were represented. Mr Webb (president of the Branch) occupied the Chair, and after a short, first class concert, to which Mrs Hotop, Mrs P. H. Martin, and Messrs P. H. Martin and F. Lindsay were the cor.tributors, the chairman read a telegram from Mr Mm. Paterson apologising for his unavoidable absence, and after briefly explaining the object of the social, called on Mr .Jno. Clarke (member Clutha County Council)..to make the presentations. ?fV Clarke said he had known Mr Williamson for 40 years, and Mr M'allace for-close on tliat period. He was sorry Mr Paterson could not be preent. All three gentlemen had been ;calous workers in the Farmers' Union Messrs Williamson and Wallace had boon members of the Union ever since the Clinton Branch was formed, Y years ago, the former, having taken the ollice of chairman for two years with honour to himself. Mr had also worked well in the school committee, of which he had been a n iblo chairman, and in other matters he was always found in the front of lie worker's. Mr Wallace had worked more in the interests of Waiwern. On behalf of the Clinton Branch of the 'armors' Union, the Clinton School ■Committee and also the residents of Clinton, Mr Clarke had much pleasure n presenting an illuminated address to Mr Williamson.—(Applause). The text of the address, which was handsomely designed and framed, and surmounted by a pretty reproduction of the Kuriwao Gorge Falls, was: " 1). Williamson, Esq.,' dear sir,—On the eve of your departure from amongst UN, we, the undersigned, on behalf of the Farmers' Union and the residents of Clinton tako the opportunity of presenting you with this address as a token of the esteem in which you have been held, both as a private individual and, a colonist of long standing. Me also have to thank you for your services in the interests' 0 f the mblie, both as a private member and chairman of the Clinton School Committee for over 20 years. Also as being one of the pioneers and a staunch supporter of this Branch of the Farmers' Union, you deserve the thanks of it,s members. As President you carried out your duties in the best interets of the Society. So ,wth most sincere good wishes for your welfare, which we trust you will' accept in the spirit in which they are rendered. Me are, dear sir, yours faithfully (signed) A. .1. Wobb, Jno. Clarke, .'las. Stevens, H. E. Steel, Mm. Charlton, .las. Garden. Mm. Nelson, J as. Alexander, ■las. Taylor."

In presenting Mr Wallace with a set of splendid field glasses from the Farmers' Union and residents, 'Mr Clarke hoped the recipient, would be long spared to look through them. Messrs J as. Taylor (Ashley Dow'ns), U. Nelson, senr., and Deattie (school master) also spoke felicitiously of the retiring gentlemen. •Messrs Williamson and Wallace suitably responded, after which supper was mrtaken of and the lloor then cleared for dancing, which was kept going with vim till the small hours of next morning.

To Mr Palerson will be given an inscribed silver-mounted! walking; stick. Mr Williamson has also been given a copy of a resolution by the Clinton school-committee expressive of. his long ind faithful services to the community while he was a member of that body, and of which he had been chairman for a number of years.