A SEND-OFF.

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1797, 18 May 1912, Page 3

A SEND-OFF.

MR AND MRS J. ROBERTSON AND DAUGHTER,

The Hall at Awahuri was packed last night when a send-off was given to Mr and Airs J. Robertson and their daughter, Miss Grace Robertson, for many years'a teacher under the Wanganui Education Board, and a successful competitor in Driving competitions at local A. and 1. "Shows. Air A. Stephens presided, and an enjoyable programme of music, songs, recitations and dances was gone through with considerable success. The ladies of the district provided an ■appetising supper in abundance, which was done full justice to. . . During an interval, tno Chairman said they had met that evening to show their appreciation of two old settlers and their daughter, who were about to leave ihe district. Although .ho had not been long there, he felt it was their duty to show their appreciation of them in a fitting manner. Of Aliss Robertson he could not speak too highly, for he had been associated with her in a number of public movements, and she had shown ability and enthusiasm in everything she had undertaken.

Mr Fred. Pirani said it always ■gave him great pleasure to participate in such functions as the one that evening, especially when they were in honour of folk he had known well for.,many years. Airs Robertson was" loved and respected by all

who knew her as ono of the clearest souls living, and Mr Robertson, though resting on his oars of late, had lived an industrious and--use-ful life of hard work and strenuous endeavour. Ho knew most, perhaps of Miss Grace Robertson who had been a successful teacher under the board for very many years. Timo and again she had refused promotion, preferring to stay with her parents while they lived in Awahuri, and they would not measure her capacity by tho position ' she had recently resigned from. And yet despite the fact that her salary was consequently not in proportion to her merits, she had given the best that was in her to the children, and she had always been a prime favourite with them. In the community she had been a power for good, and the presentation to be made that night was an indication of how those outside the school appreciated her. Aliss Robertson was about to be married

to a gentleman who was thought a great deal of by those who had come in contact with him, Mr IT. Al. Row, of Bunnythorpe, and he was sure he was expressing the opinion of the residents generally when he wished them a long and happy married life, and Air and Mrs Robertson many years of comfort with their children. (Applause.) Mr D. Thomas, who had known Mr J. Robertson since 1869, referred especially to his popularity in the Brightwater district, Nelson, where he was known as one of the best and a real good sport. Air Stephens then -presented Mr and Airs Robertson with comfortable armchairs and Aliss Robertson with a 400-day clock in a crystal case, and wished the recipient every happiness in her married life.

Air Robertson heartily thanked the folk of the district for their great kindness to Airs Robertson, his daughter, and himself. He 'would

always remember their liberality and thoughtf ulness. (Applause.) Air Bert Hawkins returned thanks for Aliss Robertson, giving her grateful . rememberance to the many friends' who had so liberally shown their appreciation for what she had done in" the district,' and their interest i ■ nher future welfare. ,

Aliss May Cribb, on behalf of the Maoris of the district, presented Aliss Robertson with a handsome piupiu, which the recipient wore for the rest, of the evening. Most of the dance music was provided by Air J. Small.