SOCIAL AT WAIRUNA.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 33, 26 November 1912, Page 5

SOCIAL AT WAIRUNA.

((Correspondent.)

On Thursday evening, 21st inst., a farewell social to Mr and Mrs Jas. Irvine was held in the Wairuna School. Mr Irvine, who has been farming in Wairuna for over 40 years, has sold his farm, and is going to live iu Dunedin. There was a large gathering of friends, some of whom had also been loug residents in this district, and had retired, but returned to hour our Mr Irvine.

During the evening Mr Bobert MoIndoe, wh» presided, presented Mr Irvine with a travelling-bag, and Mrs Irvine with a lady's dressing-case. On the meeting being thrown open, there was no lack of speakers; but the speeches of the evening were doubtless those of Messrs Thos. and J as. Taylor, and Mr Eadie (a visitor from the United Kingdom). Mr Thos. Taylor spoke of the great kindness he and his,brother had received at the hands of the Irvine family when they had come to the district as young men looking for laud, when the whole country was nothing but tussock. He also paid a tribute to the sterling character of the women who had founded the district of Wairuna, all but one of whom had now passed away. Mr Taylor also referred to the way in which some of our present day young men spoke of the pioneers, and how .some of them had an idea that if they only had the same chances as the early settlers had they would soon be millionaires.

Mr Eadie expressed his entire agreement with the tributes which had been paid to Mr Irvine, with whom he had been well acquainted when on a previous visit to New Zealand about '35 years ago. He expressed his regret at the independence of the average Colonial with regard to the Home Country. He regretted also that the local authorities had omitted having the Union Jack at the mast-head that evening. "New Zealand is altogether dependent on the Mother Country," *aid Mr Eadie, ''and if you will but give us a Dreadnought each year as a Christmas present we will fight your battles for vou."

Mr Irvine, in his reply, referred to the ups and downs experienced m the past by fanners, but mainly through markets opening for our produce in all parts of the world, prospects were now brighter than ever before. The social was arranged at such short notice that there was no time to arrange for a concert programme, but a very enjoyable hour was spent in songs, recitations, and instrumental items given by several of those present. The usual service of refreshments by the ladies also added much Jo the enjoyment of the evening.