WAIKANAE AND REIKORANGI.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 273, 11 August 1908, Page 8

WAIKANAE AND REIKORANGI.

One night last week the Reikorangi schoolroom was packed to 'the doors, the occasion being a gathering of residents for the purpose of bidding good-bye to Mr. W. jj. Donovan who has disposed of his farm and is leaving the locality. Mr. Donovan' has been one of the most respected residents of the placo for many years, always ready to assist any worthy object, a good neighbour, and ever having a genial word for all. He will bo much missed. Tho respect in which he is held was amply demonstrated by the large gathering at hia "send-off." Amongst those present were visitors from all tho surrounding district. On behalf of the residents of Reikorangi Mr. J. T. Kent presented Mr. Donovan with a liandsomo marble clock and Mrs. Donovan with a travelling bag, both being suitably inscribed. The school children also presented Miss Nancy Donovan with a glovo and handkerchief box. At the conclusion of Mr. Donovan's response to his presentation he recited the following lines of his own composition:

GOOD-BYE. Ah! many's the staunch, true-hearted friend I have left on the busy quay, When. funds were low, with no more to spend, And I heard the call of the sea; And I've seen the wave of a tar-stained hand As I forced this cheery cry With a smiling face, but a choking throat: "So-long, old chap! Good-bye!" And time sped on, till in staider years I had left the ocean foam, And joined you hero in your hopes and fears To carvo a forest home.' Ah! those were the days, when with merry jest Wo made the big chips fly; > And littlo wo thought wo would ever say, "So-long, old chap! Good-bye 1" Dr. Prondergast Knight is having 1000 trees planted on his place. No sooner is the nativo bush felled and cleared than wo begin to find the valuo of it. Tho settlors gave a danco in aid of the piano fund last Friday evening when the net proceeds amounted to closo on £4. A caso of scarlet fever is reported at Waikajiao and a supposed caso at Rcikorangi. A danoe in aid of tho tennis club was held at Waikanae when tho newly-formed orchestral society under Conductor E. Brown made its debut and gave a good account of itself. The latest to disposo of their farms hero arc Messrs. Smith and Monk.