VALEDICTORY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 July 1924, Page 9

VALEDICTORY.

COMPLIMENTARY SMOKE CONCERT. TO MR. B. C. BENNETT. The high regard in which Mr Bsamett is field by the people or iiig town anil district was amply evidenced by ine large attendance at tne send-off given nnn last nigtitm the winter snow social iial'l, when nearly i&> here present, while apologies were- received from many otners, including His Ivors run the Mayor (.Mr I>. A. Bone), messr* ■J. R. Cdii.*i gan, M.P., F,. m. Deecnev, h. Dixon, a. lama, C. J. Preston, 5. Giay, P. Bond, it. D. Aelsn, A. Bniir, T. juioyti. ana A. H. Guy. Ine Deputy-Mayor (Air j£. Morrissev) piesided, and had on his right tne guest of the evening, aiid on ius left Mr i>. Puiser. The nail was very artistically set off with coloured shades over tne lights in tne colours of Ur Bennett’s bid football club (the Rival*), and the result was very effective. The ap.-edd was arranged and carried out by tne Savoy Tea ivoom proprietors, and was <v credit to them. The evening opened with orchestral selections by ucmvick’s orchestra, and the toast or -His Majesty” was drunk with enthusiasm.

‘'Kindred Sports’' was next- honoured, the proposer being Mr u. H. Ryan, ni a brief and happy speech, Mr Ryan said that i\ew Zealanders generally were passionately foiul of Rugby, peraaps beyond all other sports. lie irelerred to the giants in the game of former years, instancing sVarbricks great team ol 1888, tnen the All -Macks of 1965, and now those ol J. 924. He said in conclusion that there nad been much discussion as to the merits or this 3 r ear’s team, but contended that the point was not whether i-hey won their matches, hut whether cney place a them in the spirit and according to the traditions of the game, and kept up the reputation for good conduct off the field which had been set by those who went before them. Replying to the toast, Mr B. McCarthy said all sports were wed supported, but Rugby lootball more entnusiastically than any other, and it was very gratifying to remember that of the All Blacks two and possibly three were from this district. He said that this sport maintained its place; because it was so well regulated, and in this respect he paid a, tribute to the Taranaki Rugby Union for their good conduct of competitions, and especially for their encouragement given to the young players. He appealed to move of the older players to take part in this work, and urged that this would result in the district getting even more representatives in the Dominion team in the future. He complimented Mr Bennett and his firm tor the generous Lippcit given to all sport, and wished him a happy time on his tour, and a sale return home.

Dr. Thomson replied in place of Mr H. Spratfy who was unavoidably delayed in being present. He referred to the many sports taken up by New Zealanders, and said that * love of sport was an outstanding feature of tiie race, arid that this excelling in sport had been emulated by other nations, as was seen by the results at the Olympiad recently. He instanced the way Eiiglish sports had spread to the Fast-, air'd refehfed to the. prowess or the people of India, in cricket, and the Sikhs and Burmese in hockey and soccer. He commended sports for the ideals that ruled and governed them, playing for the sake of the game and tire spirit of fairplay that ran through them all.

“Our Guest” was given by Mr M. F. Pur ©or, who said Mr Bennett was known to all for his uprightness, integrity and good citizenship. He was a generous supporter of sports, and Mr Purser instanced the libera! way he helped, when they were organising the South Taranaki' Primary School sports. He was sure that in Taranaki no one was mors popular, and it was fitting that he should lye selected as one m the small official party to go with the All Blacks. H© referred to Mr Bennett’s part in football, where he played tlie’game for all it was worth, and expressed the hope that he would enjoy evCtrj' minute of the tour, and come back renewed in health and strength. On behalf of his friends, he presented him with a gold-mounted fountain pen and .a handsome leather wallet, both suitably inscribed, as a small token of their appreciation of the work he had done for the town and district. Mr A. B. Burrell acknowledged the pleasure he felt in being asked to endorse the remarks of Mr Purser. Me complimented Mr Bennett on his being chosen for the tour, and wished Mr and Airs Bennett the best of times while abroad and a safe return. Mr E. Fcden, who was in Haweira when Mr Bennett arrived nearly thirty years ago, referred to his straightforward,. uprightness and direct honesty of purpose and life, and said he was proud to lie able to beau- witness to his many good qualities. The chairman also referred to the good work done by Mr Bennett and the high esteem in which he had always been held and congratulated him on the success he had achieved. He said he would like to see him on the Borough Council, where he felt sure Mr Bennett Mould do good service Toi the town. He hoped lie would have a> good holiday and come hack to carry on the good work he had done. Mr H. L. Spraft, who had been unavoidably detained, her© expressed his regret ior being unable to take his place on the toast list, and said how pleased he had' been to be asked. On rising to respond, Mr Bennett was greeted witii hearty cheers and accorded musical honours. When the applause subsided, he said he thanked all most heartily, on behalf of Mrs Bennett and himself for the very flattering reception and the many kind things that had been said hy the speakers of the evening. He said that lie had come as a young man to the town, and it had been beyond his utmost dreams that he would he given such a great reception ns on this occasion by his lellow-citizens. He could baldly find words in which to thank them .all, first for the kind thought that prompted the function, then for the work necessary to carry it through, and then ior the presence of so many from town and district, which .fact spoke for deep and true friendship, an honour to himself, his relatives and to his friends. The handsome present, he said. Mould always remind him of his friends. Referring to anything he had been able to do in the town, he said that the greater part cf the success was due to the fact that in every case he had had most excellent fellow-work-ers, and to them was due any honour given. They were good and true men, pi id it was the team work that told. He referred also to the wonderful groMth seen in the town and district while lie had been a resident, and said that it had been his good fortune to share in that progress. In regard to the suggestion made by the chairman re Borough Council he had always regretted being unable, on account of so much other work, to accede to his request, and said that perhaps on his return lie might he able to give service there. Referring to his trip, he said he felt highly honoured in being selected. raid he could assure all that he

woiilid do his best to see nil that was worth seeing while away in the Old Country. He did not know what he had dene to deserve the honour conferred on him, but he would do all. possible to help the team in every way he could, and would also try to live up to the honour, arid do ins very best tor town and district in every way. I' l it most interesting and amusing way, Mr T. Taylor proposed “Commerce ,’ ’ referring to the earliest beginnings of barter and exchange, when man's forefathers exchanged eoeoanuts for oyster shells. He then referred to the travelling of the early Greeks by caravan and the gradual growth and development of the idea of commerce until by process of evolution our modern scheme was founded. He interest.giy illuded’ to the gradual institution of settlement of exchange in bullion and then lastly to the wonderful development of credit ixi the huge financial operations of the nations of the world. Coming to local affairs, he paid a fine tribute to Mr Bennett for his great business ability, and on behalf of the business men of the district wished lnm bon voyage and a happy time, at Home. Rojo lying to the toast, Mr J. Is. Murdoch expressed appreciation of the interesting way Mr ’Taylor Intel proposed the subject of commerce. He first referred to the wonderful growth of sport, and said it was an excellent and healthy form of activity. In connection with the primary industries of the Dominion, he said that producers were up against evqr increasing eom.p-_--tition, both in frozen mutton and in dairy produce, and it would be necessary to exercise the greatest care in their conduct of the business if they were to maintain their position. Referring to the guest of the evening, ho said that, it was an honour to all that Mr Bennett had been chosen, and he hoped that when at Home he would see ad the interesting things and places and enjoy a right good holiday. Mjr AV. Gilbert, who followed, said he spoke for all the retail business men in tendering Mr Bennett their united good wishes, and then- opinion that no worthier man could have been eho,sen. They assured him of their very I rest and kindest wishes when abroad, and felt sure he would come back with many new ideas, which he would give for the benefit of the town on his return. He commented most favourably t on the fact that all the employees of the firm of Bennett and Sutton had come to do honour to Mr Bennett, and to wish him God s-ccort.

Cailed on to sneak, Mr F. W. Sutton thanked the chairman for being asked to speak and to say good-bye to Mr Bennett. He said it Was very gratifying to see so many townsmen present, ami could only add his best wish that Mr Bennett would go away to enjoy himself thoroughly on his trip. He referred to the great school match he had seen that day, and said he felt sure M:r Bennett, associated under ideal conditions with the best in the Bngbv world, would do all in his power to assist the team and the game generally. Tie wished him God-speed and a safe return.

Mr P. Sheehan, sneaking as an old friend, also expressed his best’ and heartiest good wishes, specially on behalf of the people the country districts, and hoped that he would have a thor-

oughly good time and return in the best of health and strength. During the evening an excellent selection of solo numbers was given by Messrs Claud Moss (2), Melville (2), W.. Cate, F. AV. Sutton (.songs), R. 'Vivian (monologue and songs), M. Osborne (cornet solo), H. Robinson (xylophone solo), Renwick (topical verses with chorus), and several capitaL orchestral selections, and some community singing. The accompaniments were played by Mr Renwick. The evening’closed with the singing of “Anld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem.