VALEDICTORY

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1937, Page 14

VALEDICTORY

MR W. a. KELLER AND FAMILY. [oup. own correspondent.] HOKITIKA, February IS. Yesterday afternon a large number of Hokitika citizens met at the Town Hall to say farewell to Mr W. G. Keller and his wife and daughter. 3 ho Mayor (Mr Geo. A. Perry) presided. Mr Perry explained that the function had been organised in a hurry, Mr Keller having decided to leave earlier than he had expected. Thb Mayor referred to the long association of the Keller family with Hokitika since 1866, and all heard of their severance from Hokitika life with sincere regret. Mr and Mrs Keller have been good citizens. On behalf of the citizens and licensed victuallers he asked Mr Keller to accept an “envelope” and the good wishes of the people generally. “For Ho’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was sung. . Mr AV. A. Thompson (in his 95th year) said he regretted very much the departure of Mr Keller, for it meant the loss of the last link of his old asociation with the fellers. On his coming to Hokitika in ’65 Mr Keller’s mother and father were his first and proved his best friends. The only person remaining of those old days was Mr W. McConnon (also 95 years) of Kokatahi. Mr Thompson gave some reminiscences" of'those early { days. He wished Mr, Mrs and Miss Keller health and happiness wherever - they might settle. Mr D. J. Evans handed in an apology for the absence of the President, of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, and on behalf of the Association, of which Mr Keller had been a member of the executive, he expressed their goodwill. Mr Evans traced his associations with the Kellers back to his boyhood days. He referred tp the licensing laws and the need of their revision. Mr J. J. Mclntosh, Mr O’Connor and Mr J. Taylor also regretted Mr and Mrs Keller’s departure, and wished (hem well. . . Mr D. Dowell, on behalf of the Krwr Club, extended the thanks of the club for all that Mr Keller had done for it. Mr E. AV. Heenan, on behalf of the numerous sports bodies, referred to the great help he had been not only in giving the use of a sample room for meeting purposes, but also for financial assistance. All wished Mr and Mrs Keller the best Of luck. Mi’ Dyer spoke on behalf of the commercial travellers, and said they were meeting him in Christchurch on Friday night. Alb would be sorry to know of the departure of the Kellers from Hokitika. Mr Keller, who was applauded' on rising, said he felt somewhat dumb at the spontaneous expression of goodwill towards himself, Mrs Keller and daughter. Mrs Keller, who had not been well, had preceded him to Wellington. He referred to the difficulties that pertained to the running of an hotel these days, also the' building required renewing, which at this time he did not feel like undertaking. He (heartily thanked’ the Mayor, Mr Thompson, Mr Evans, Mr Mclntosh, and all others who had spoken so kindly of Mrs Keller and himself. Without Mrs Keller’s wonderful help .he could not have carried on. He traced the growth of the hotel from the small building his parents had to that of to-day, occupying the block. They had always endeavoured to conduct it well and look after the travelling public, and were gratified to know that their efforts had been appreciated. What he had' done in the town and for sports bodies he considered his duty. He thanked all for the good wishes extended to himself, Mrs Keller and Miss Keller. At present they had no fixed plans.