KAPUNI.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 11 July 1924, Page 10

KAPUNI.

+ MR, AND MRS. J. WILLIS FAREfWELLED.

A large gathering of residents of Kapuni and the surrounding district attended the farewell social tendered in the Kapuni Hall last evening to Mr. and Mrs. J. Willis, who are leaving Kapuni to take up their residence at Lnaha, Mr. and Mrs. Willis have been residents of Kapuni for a. considerable number of years, Mr. Willis having lived there practically since infancy. . Mr: Willis was a- member of the school committee for some fourteen years, and for a lengthy period held office on the hall committee. Together with Mrs. Willis, he has been a prominent figure in. the social life of the community, and has been an active worker in all matters affecting the welfare of the district, and evidence of the very high esteem in which they are held by all with whom they have.been associated, was given at last evening’s function, in the freely expressed regrets over their departure, which were mingled with the wishes extended for their future happiness.

The farewell took the form of a social and dance, the well-balanced programme rendering the evening a most enjoyable one which should be long remembered by the guests of honour and all present.

During an interval in tin. programme a charming bouquet, donated by Mrs. Donald, of Manaia, was handed to Mrs. Willis by the Misses Betty Paterson and Mollie Joyce, and a number of speeches, appropriate to the occasion, were delivered/ Mr. J. F. Stevenson making presentations to Mr. and Mrs. Willis on behalf of the gathering. Mr. H. Whalen, who. presided, explained that they were gathered together to do honour to. two most worthy residents whom, it was greatly regretted, were leaving Kapuni. Though he had not, perhaps, known Mr. and Mrs. Willis as long as many of those present, lie had ample evidence of their sterling worth to the community* Both had worked actively in furthering the interests of the district. Mr. Willis had given valued services to the school committee, hall committee and the local sports body, and in everything lie-had undertaken he had acquitted himself with credit. He expressed the sincere wish that everything of happiness and prosperity would await them in the future, and as they were not going far away, hoped that the Kapuni people would see them on many occasions to come.

Mr. J. Leslie said he was greatly honoured in being afforded the opportunity of publicly expressing his appreciation of the services rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Willis. He wished to especially draw attention to. the work of Mrs. Willis during the war period, when she had been actively associated with the many movements organised. Also, he wished to thank Mrs. Willi® for the. assistance she had given to the hall committee. Mr. Willis had given his services on the school committee for fourteen years, and the speaker could bear testimony to his excellent work on that committee, as well as on the hall committee. He could further say that an appeal for any worthy cause was never made in vain to either Mr. or Mrs., Willis. He bad very great pleasure in joining with all present in the ivislies extended for their future health, happiness and prosperity. Mr. J. Paterson referred to an early association with Mr. Willis on the hail committee, when the building had been oractically a shell in comparison with its present state. He ascribed its present good condition as being largely due to the ability with which Mr. Willis had discharged the duties of hon. secretary. Mr. Willis had also boon an enthusiastic advocate of all branches of sport and had rendered fine sendee locally in that direction. What he had said of the work of Mr. Willis referred equally to Mrs. Willis, who had always given her assistance in every possible 'way. Wherever they might go in future j he wished them the best of health and happiness. Mr. Jas. Tvissick briefly but aptly endorsed the sentiments expressed .by the previous speakers, and wished the guests of the evening every prosperity in their new sphere. J Mr. J. P. Stevenson said he had known both Mr. and Mrs. Willis for a good many years, and had> found in their characters only the most desirable qualities. They bad always been to the fore in any matter which might benefit the community, and had been ready to lend aid to others in any way within their power. He was sure that the people of Kapuni could not have bad better neighbours, and their departure would be keenly regretted, but a gratifying feature was that they were not going far away and would probably often visit their friends at Kapuni. •On behalf of the assembled gathering, he had much pleasure in presenting Mrs. Willis with a silver hot water kettle mounted over a spirit lamp, and Mr. Willis with a ca.se, of Loewe pipes, as mementoes of the goodwill and esteem of local residents. The call for musical honours met with an enthusiastic response.

In response, Mr. Willis expressed the sincere appreciation felt by Mrs. Willis and himself of the honour conferred upon them by the gathering, and thanked the donors for their beautiful presents and the speakers for their “very flattering remarks.’’ It was exceedingly, pleasing to realise the spirit of goodwill vunderlying these tokens. He thought that the credit which had been given to Mrs. Willis and himself was quite unmerited, but felt sure that anything they had been able to do> in assisting the general interest had only been accomplished through the co-operation of those around them and the feeling of goodfellowship which had always been extended. A delectable supper was served in the supper-room by the lady members of the committee, whose ministrations were all that could be desired. The dance music was supplied by Mr. K Sharpe extras being played by Mesdames McCracken and Briscoe, Miss Bitter and Mr. A. Stevenson. A well leiidered recitation contributed by Miss A. Stevenson met with an enthusiastic encore, which was equally well received. Messrs. C, Paterson and J. Eli a son officiated as M.C.’s. The gathering dispersed shortly after one this morning, when a handlinked circle was formed and the parting “Auld Lang Syne’’ was rendered in the time honoured fashion.

CHILDREN’S BALL. The children’s plain and fancy dress ball, held at Kanuni recently, was an outstanding success, which must have been very gratifying to the committee of ladies responsible for its organisation. Approximately 100 children and 200 adults were in attendance, the earlier part of the programme being devoted to the entertainment of the former, who keenly appreciated the opportunity provided. Almost all of the children attended in fancy dress, and the many pretty costumes which

mingled during the evening rendered the scene very attractive, and served to emphasise the spontaneous gaiety with which the juvenile dancers entered into the enjoyment of the occasion. A competition was arranged, the awards of the judges (Mr R. and Mrs Donald, Manaia; being as follow: Prettiest Dress:—Phvilis Eva, “Gipsy Maid.”

Tiniest, Tot,—Bebe Fitzgerald, “Cuoicl.”

Girls. Under 10, Doris Shaw, “Harem Lady”; over iO, Monica Joyce, “Christmas Tree” ; school old girls, Miss Iris hitter, “Indian Maid”; most original, Eileen Schlisciitmg, “Washerwoman.”.

Boys.— Under 10. Reggie Gamlin, “Robinson Crusoe”; over 10, Bruce Leslie, “Red Indian” ; .school old boys, Douglas Shaw, “Oldest Inhabitant” ; most original, Ned Wheeler, “Yes, we have no bananas.”

The prizes, donated by local residents, were presented hv MrF. J. Stevenson, who fittingly congratulated each recipient. The children’s ball was continued until supper time, when a dainty repast concluded a greatly-enjoyed entertainment, and a dance programme for the adults was then arranged. The following artists contributed concert items to the evening’s .programme: Miss A. Stevenson (recitations). Misses E. Williams, M. Guy, and S. Hughes (songs). Misses Nicholson, Wjilliams, and Guy (Highland dances), the pianoforte accompaniments being rendered by Miss Moore. Messrs K. Sharp (piano) and MeLaughlan (violin) provided music- during the programme dances, and Messrs C. Paterson, L. Des Forges and J. Willis officiated as M’s.C. For the success of the function much credit is due to the ladies Committee, consisting of the following:— Mesdames J. Paterson (chairwoman), C. Paterson and J. Willis (joint hon. secretaries). 0. McKenna, H. Whalen, J. Scott, \Y. Wheeler, L. Harrison, E. Allen, T. Joyce, and the Misses A. Stevenson and E. Richards. The committee. desire to thank the railway hail committee for the decorations. The proceeds are being donated to the school funds.