FAREWELL TO MR CHARLES WHELAN.

Grey River Argus, 2 February 1909, Page 4

FAREWELL TO MR CHARLES WHELAN.

• (Our Reef ton Correspondent). About "firtv citizens assembled' at Stevenson's Hotel last evening, where a farewell social was tendered t.j Mr Charles Whelan, for eight years Postmaster in Reefton; and aqwunder ordeis to proceed to Gore. Mt E. J. Scantlebury,, County? Chiairftiaiv, occup-; icd the chak. '.','" " '^ After justice ha 9 been, done toinc good things provided by the host, the chairman proposed the usual "loyal fb'ast. which was drunk with musical' honors. The toast of the evening, "Our Guest," was proposed by ihc chair-

nvin. who said Mr WLelan was the most obiging postmaster that Recfton ever 'had. In stating this he was voicing the opinion of the district. He then poiiv.ed out many improvements . effected in Ihc postal and telegraph through Mr Whelan's instrumentality. In social affairs Mr Whelan and famil,- were always looked for. All. now regretted their departure. Tne HorticuW.il Society and Poultry Club had bce-i inaugurated bjvhim, and in mining matters he 1 ad also taken^a great interest. Two local shows promoted by him were now working. The chairman concluded hy wishing Mr Whei.-;n and family 'health and success in .their " future home. (Loud Applause). , In: responding, Mr ,Whelan thanked the chairman for his kind remarks. He found it difficult to say faVewall, as only now that he was leaving he realised Low many ; kind friends; he was leaving. He pointed out that during his eight years in Reef ton the xlistrvct had He instanced I 'the growth. of the^telegraplh business When 'he first ca^f. there , were only five wires here, anJS; now there was quite- a net work b^'wires through the district. As a minirtg district Reef ion had a_great future; In assisting mining and other affairs, he was on}y domg what he should do. Though he legictted .leavingCitihe district, his transfer meant promotion. At some future date he hpp|d'to visit Reefton, when he was suresh> would find tine district more prosperous- Mr Whelan , concluded by thanking all for tiio kindness extended to iris fwnily an<i limself. • : Mr R. Dunphjr lmposed the f'Mmin,T and Commei-3as'lnterests," which vwas. responded ;s£by Messrs B. P. MoMahon and W.! Henderson. The former • dwelt on : the lack of capital on the mining field which was T)eces•sarv for development , and instanced ,how a number of-gobd properties had been- prospecbd'tbv-a certain' stage, but for want o.fft&pital to adequately ■exploit them,'-b'ej|S%,-erown lands. M»- \V. Henderson "spoke of the Com •mercial interest. He suid that 'the towii. was getting into a more prosperous stage, and was sure that the books of tlifc various business people would show that trade had increased, j Mr A. M. Carroll',' proposed 'iThe •County Council^ V;'; He refcrte'd to the difficulties membersniust have to cootend with and in trying to reduce the overdraft and ...^regretted that recent flood; had necessitated such heavy expenditure. Messrs / -Beits, O'Regan, and O'-Rourkc responded. The first named spoke dn^thc pastoral and agricultural possibilities and siiid that t-he councillors were doing their best for the mining interest, and tl,'at the M'nes Department should assist in the development of thiayd.istrict, which in the past has . beenvjsnojred by the Minister for that^Department, and was sure that i-htf'Hon Mr McKenzie wbu'd have more-liberal views towards the mining industry in this part. Mr O'Rtgan spoke on County finance and resetted to heuir that a movement had been on foot to join a borough 1 and separate from tihe county.; He instanced how, instead of one » overdraft, there would be two for the/di»tricl, one for the 'county and one for the borough. Mr O'Rourke 1 humorously related how, he became member for the Humpdcn district, and felt sun: that,, the residents of his district '>.would regret' the separation from Inan gahua County before long. Mr.W. J.. Morals proposed the toast of "The Parliament ox' New Zealand." He spoke of- the Mines Department as relating to the Rcc-fton District; also dealing extensively with the quartz mining possibilities and coal measures of the district, and why Parliament should direct special attentidn to this part of the dominion. ,Mf F. 13. Sallard and Mt -T. C'U^ n bjricfl i' responded. "The Ladies" was proposed by Mr; J. Patterson and responded, to by "Messrs Montcith and J. Irving. "The Press" was- proposed by MrH. Smith and responded to by Mi J. Noble. The toast of the host and hostess was proposed by iMr J. Scarlett and responded to by M>r y. Efevensoi.. During the evening songs were simp by Messrs'. *H.:-Wicken and T. O'Roufke and reclfat.'ions by Messrs Whelan and H. Smith, and a most enjoya.b'e evening concluded by singing "Auld Lang Syoie."