KUMARA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1949, Page 2

KUMARA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent).

Messrs Richard Roberts, of Christchurch, and Lyttelton Roberts, of Waihi, visited their native town on Tuesday last, both having been employed at Kumara Post Office over 50 Nears ago. Mr R. Roberts has visited kumara several times since, but . this is Mr L. Roberts’ first visit for thirtytwo years. Mr and Mrs Smith and family, of Rangiora, are spending a holiday here with Mr and Mrs W. Laurence. Mr and Mrs Alison left by Saturday’s bus for Christchurch. Miss Ince, dressmaking tutor for Canterbury College, will commence dressmaking lessons here this week. There will be two classes for the next three months. Mr and Mrs T. Tate, of Dunedin, paid a short visit to Kumara last week. Mr Tate was born in Kumara, and this was his first visit after an absence of 57 years. Mr and Mrs Norman Campbell, of Wellington, accompanied by Mrs T. Johnsen, of Sumner, were here to visit their sister, Mrs J. Reedy, last weekend. Mrs R. N. May, of Timaru, and formerly of Kumara, arrived last week to spend a holiday with her daughter, Mrs N. Kerr, Beach Road. Mrs G. Little, of Wellington, is at present spending a holiday with her mother, Mrs McDonald, Seddon Street. Trinity Hall was crowded on the occasion of a farewell to Mrs M. Spiers, one of Kumara’s most worthy citizens. Visitors were present from Teremakau. Settlement and Dillmanstown. Items were given by Mrs W. J. McNabb, Misses Joan McEnaney and Aureen Ritchie (solos), and Mrs N. Kerr (piano accordeon). Community singing was also enjoyed by all present. Mr R. Roberts, a visitor from Christchurch and a former resident, spoke on the early days of Kumara, going back to when Mrs Spiers first entered business at Kumara 50 years ago. The Mayor, Mr W. Stewart, said that in assembling to bid farewell to Mrs Spiers, they were sorry she was going to leave, after being here in business for half a century. No doubt wherever she went, she would always remain a Kumaraite. He then presented Mrs Spiers with a well-fill-ed wallet as a parting gift from the citizens of Kumara and surrounding districts. Mrs Spiers, on rising to reply, was received with applause and the singing of, “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow”. Sprays were presented to Mrs M. Spiers, Mrs Malcomson and Mrs M. R. Spiers. Other speakers were Messrs J. Gilbert, J. Reedy, F. Rudkin, J. F. Gilbert and Miss Watson. Si;pper was served, and a happy evening was brought to a close with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne”.