PATEA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 October 1924, Page 3

PATEA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FAREWELL TO MR, AND MRS. GRAINGER. There was a large gathering of citizens at the Town Hall on Monday evening last to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Grainger, who are leaving Patea to reside in Wellington, Mr. Grainger having been appointed to an important position under the Dairy Control Board. His Worship the M avor, Air. P. S. Finlayson, presided, and in a few remarks stated that they had met to take farewell of two very old residents of the town, residents that the town could ill afford to lose. Although he "as a comparatively new man among them himseif, he had not been long in the town before he recognised Air. Grainger’s worth as a public man. ■Aider . reading some apologies, his Worship asked Air. Christensen to say a few words. Air. Christensen said it was with mingled feelings of pleasure and regi'Ct that he was speaking. He had been associated with Air. Grainger on public bodies for many years, and hi s experience and ability were of very great service to the town .and district. He had had many disputes with Mr. Grainger on public bodies, but one tiling he could say was that those disputes were never brought outside the meeting rooms. Air. Grainger’s new appointment would be of more national importance than that which he held here. On behalf of the Patea . Harbour Board, Patea. Bowling Club, and himself and family he wished Air. and Mrs. Grainger and family every happiness and prosperity in their new home. Mr. C. Honeyfield said he could endorse the remarks of Air. Christensen regarding the value of Air. Grainger’s services to the local bodies of the town and district. AVhenever the Borough Council was in difficulties over the electric light or water and drainage it was to Mr. Grainger that they went to 1 get them out of their trouble, and he invariably got them out. He wished Air. and Airs. Grainger every happiness in the future. Air. F. Locker said he would like to take this opportunity of expressing the thanks and appreciation of the returned soldiers to Air. and Airs. Grainger for what they had done for them —Airs. Grainger by her help and sympathy, and Air. Grainger by helping then! to get a substantial grant, through which they , had benefited. Messrs E. C. Wood (dairy produce grader), W. C. Glenny, F. Ramsbottom and J, G. Thomson also spoke and wished Air. and Airs. Grainger all happiness in their new home. Mr. Finlayson said he did not think he could add anything further to what had already been said, and on behalf of the citizens of Patea he presented a very fine illuminated address to Air. and Mrs. Grainger. Air. Grainger, in replying, said that any effort lie had put forth on behalf of the town was amply rewarded hv the handsome address with which lie had inst been presented. He was glad that his wife’s name had been added to the testimonial, for without her liold and sacrifice he could not possibly have devoted so much time to public affairs. It was > now 23 years since he came to Patea, and as he was always interested in his work lie did not notice the smallness of the place. He contended that there was a good future before this place. While on local bodies he had-had many differences with members, hut they were always amicably settled. He. was pleased that ATi\ Locker had mentioned the returned soldiers. In this connection he thought Airs. Larcombe should be given very great credit for the magnificent work she did on behalf of the soldiers, and, with Airs. Larcombe, those other ladies who so unselfishly worked with her for the comfort of the soldiers. Airs. Grainger had done her bit, hut on account of a young family she was not able to be quite as prominent as she would otherwise have been. He would come back to Patea occasionally; they felt the severance of old ties very acutely, and Mrs. Grainger was leaving life-long friends.

Mrs. Grainger, who was presented with a very handsome bouquet by Miss Finlayson, daughter of the Mayoress, said she was very sorry to leave Patea; in fact, she felt like letting Mr. Grainger go alone. She was leaving all her friends behind, and now she felt how fortunate one is to lie able to live in Patea. No doubt they would say in Wellington that slm was from the country, but that would not trouble her. She wished them all “good-bye.”

The gathering then rose and sang. ‘For they are idly good fellows,” and the meeting disnersed. The illuminated address presented to Mr. and Mrs. Grainger by the citizens of Patea was the work of Mr. F. Spooner, and reflects very great credit, on hi.s handicraft.