BANQUET AT HALCOMBE.

Feilding Star, Volume XXV, Issue 283, 20 May 1904, Page 2

BANQUET AT HALCOMBE.

One of the most enjoyable functions ever held at Halcombe was the banquet tendered on Thursday night by the members of the Halcombe Defence Rifle Club to the club's President, Mr D. G. Riddiford, on the ove of his terminating a 20 years' residence in that township. In proposing the toast of the guest of the evening, Mr Strachan, Captain of the club, made a felicitous speech, wherein ho reviewed the many useful offices filled by Mr Riddiford during his residence in Halcombe, his unfailing liberality toward any movement for the benefit of the district, and the esteem in which he was held by all classes of the community. He referred to Mr Riddiford as a true sport, and enlarged upon the part sport had played in raising the Empire to its present proud position. Ho concluded by presenting Mr Riddiford, on behalf of the club, with a valuable hunting crop. Mr Riddiford feelingly responded, and dwelt on the regret Mrs Riddiford and he felt at severing the many ties their long residence had formed, and the associations upon which they would ever look back with feelings of pleasure. He thanked those present for their kind references, but said the thought of tho things he had failed to ■ do that he might have done overshadowed his remembrances of those things for which he had just been commended. However, whatever his sins of omission had been, he trusted he had done nothing unworthy of a man and a gentleman^ Be would be proud to continue to fill ttie-offiee of Presir dent of the club if it were desired (applause). The usual toasts were honored, a feature of the .evening being the number of capital extempore speeches delivered. .Songs and recitations also contributed to -the evening's enjoyment. The catering was in the capable hands of Mr John Goodin.