AWATUNA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 December 1924, Page 3

AWATUNA.

VALEDICTORY GATHERING. POPULAR RESIDENTS FAREWELLED. ' • Despite inclement weather conditions, A assembly or .district residents packed tthe- Atv Hall oil AYocinesday evening on the occasion ci the public farewell tendered to. Mr and Airs W. R. O. Spooner and family, who are leaving AEatuna to take up "their residence at Riveidale. During the three years in which Mr Spooner has officiated a s secretary of the Awatuna Dairy Company lie has been fa veurablv known to the majority of the district - residents, and together with. Mrs Spooner has iigured nroinineniiy ’in the public and social J t to of Die cumin unity. That uotli. (V! r ;uid Mi’.s tJpouiier *luriiu£ thew sojourn in Ajvatuna. earned the popular esteem ol all who have, lieu) privileged to know them, was amply attested by the largo gathering at the faieneli function anti the ; sincere wishes for their future welfare which were extended, together with .expressions of regret over their departure. The function took the -101111 of asocial and dance, a number of appreciated concert items being contributed in conjunction .with the eonvdiu imucl dance programme. Prior to the supper waltz, speeches of eulogy were delivered from the platform and hand some presentations were made to the quests ot honour as mementos of the Esteem in which they were regarded. -Mr W. Davison presided,- and before introducing the speakers.intimated that it had keen considered- only lit ting that oil the departure of such" worthy' residents the opportunity should - be pro-\ vidfd -for giving , public expression to the goodwill in which they were held. He thought the gathering might .search far before finding auvnmi”as truly worthy of the send-off which was being/rendered 10 Mr and Airs Spooner. On. their arrival in the district they had'early evidenced their keen desire to assist in all matters Miming • the public weal. .Mr Spooner', in promptly associating himself \yii,h the movement for the establishment jnf a war memorial. had unde.'taken a. big task, which would have daunted anyone less imbued with energy and optimism. His ambition and optimistic outlook were characteristic of Mr Spooner, whom

the speaii'cr ■ liuiiiorpusly d&£dred,-be-longed 'to “the class of mail wno would ’walk through the United States -of America with a corkscrew.” That chee-r----tui spirit which, was reflected in Mr Spooner’s many activities liad, howTOiy prwed a; valuable asset to tire district. In the- speaker’s opinion, the Awatunn Dairy Company had made a yery great Anistake m allowing such an efficient- secretary to leave, and the Kiverdale Company, so long as they retained his services, was- • to- ' be Vongratulated. Air Davison concluded by congratulating Mr Spooner on his new appointment, and assuring, both Mr and Mrs Spooner that, while they would he greatly missed from Awatuna, the people ot the -district- wished them every success in their new sphere. Mr 10. A. Collins, chairman of the Awatuna Dairy Company, referred in terms of unstinted praise ta Mr Spooner’s work as the cotnpany’s secretary. - ‘'God bless Dive id ale,’’ said Mr’ Collins; /‘because- they have earned a truly honourable servant.” The speaker could, vouch for Mr Spooner’s efficiency and integrity, which were beyond question. Always.' to the forefront <in all matters relating to the welfare of- the company, Mr Spooner had played the game faithfully and honourably, and in the discharge of his duties had shown a capability and zeal which could not be too highly stressed. The directors regretted ,that they were losing his services, . bt]t desired to heartily congratulate' him iipo.n his appointment, in which they wished him every success. . Speaking on behalf of the School Committee and the Hall Committee, Mr L. Street endorsed, the remarks of the previous speakers. Air .Spooner’s work on both those committees ha d been highly beneficial, And was keenly appreciated by those who, through association with him, were enabled tc truly assess his services. The improvements effected -on the school grounds as well as the improvements- to the •hall were in no small measure due to kis / efforts: Air Street also drew atteiition. to the valued co-operation of Mrs. Spooner in the preparation and administration of social functions. Hhr prompt and unfailing assistance merited the most sincere, thanks, the expression of which, while it afforded the speaker much pleasure, made, him realise how much her. help would be missed on future occasions.* The committees he represented, said Air Street in conclusion, hoped that the very best of luck would attend'Air and Airs Spooneiy in the district in which they were going.' ; ; ‘ fhe efforts made by the guest of the evening to foster those branches, of recreational sport which were of benefit to the community were referred ho by Mr AY. A- Hind, who further snolce in feeling manner ’of the loss th'e district would sustain by.- the-.departure, of Afi\ and Airs Spooner, and '’wished them every prosperity in."tlieir- ngw home. Air .J. Flavin, general, manager of the Awatunn Dairy Company, said tliat while the staff were very sorry /that Air Spooner was leaving.' thov : recognised that he wa.s\eceiving well-earned promotion, and wished him every success. The tact and courtesv. combined with the efficiency displayed by Mr Spooner,. had been a" big 'factor towards the successful co-operation of the- employees, all of,, whom held him ilivening b esteem- and liopfid that at Hiverdale he-, would further..distinguish himself, A-s a memento of their nssbeiatjon- with .him, Air Snootier was asked by Mr Flavin to accehl a set of bowls !1S A presentation from the employees. U |e r -suppliers-.ivercy represented by Mi \\ . Y • Lonsdale, who accorded witfi_ the sentiments expressed by the previous. speakers, and’ further * said that .Awatuna s loss could he considered as Riycrdalc’s gain. The latter, company was exceedingly fortunate' in‘,flvPlg.Acquired Air S]ioones\ whom the Avatiijm suppliers confidently expected would he as successful. and as 'well appreciated in his. new appointment as he_k(icl beenrin his nrevious one. Further presentations followed when the chairman. (Aftr AY. DavisonU after an appropriate speech on behalf of the residents, of Awatuna; 'Te Kiri and } aungatara, a sked Air and Mrs Spooner tS a silver tea service and ATiss inyilj.s Spooner to receive a /mid bangle. The ceremony. concluded with rousing cheers ••and an enthusiastic interpretation of musical honours. The tea service is to be, inscribed : “Presented to Air and Airs AY- R. 0. fepoonev by the residents of Awatunn and Ta,migata.ru, Dec. 17th. 1924.” In .reply, /Air Spooner thanked the epeakers for their flattering remarks ! \\ line- on behalf of Airs Spooner and himself he deeply appreciated’t-he courtesies extended. he felt sure that the .services alleged had been rather overestimated, but it was. however.-' exceedingly gratifying' to realise - that whatever had been /endeavoured had not passed unnoticed. It was almost three years since he. had come to Awatuna. and during that time lie had tried to do bis host for all concerned. He had realised that his, juture rested in his own efforts and that the more he accomplished the sooner he would get on, 'and .‘consequently he had striven for a mutual advancement. That which he had been assured had been clone ', would have been impossible but for the loval co-operation of the people of the district, of whom in years to come Airs spooner and himself would carry the most pleasant memories/ To the* company staff and to the residents of the district ATr Spooner extended thanks lor their valued presentations, which would serve as fitting reminders of the many ..happy days spent at . Awatuna; and in_ conclusion he intimated sincere appiewation of the honour conferred by such a large attendance at the gathering.

Acral items to the concert urogram me were submitted bv the follow-D'uii-teUe, Mrs R. Hook. Messrs M . u . Lonsdale, AV. Rev and R riook: duet, Air ami Airs Rook: duel! Misses Parkinson: solos. Mrs J AfitRiell. Miss M. xCarl,is. Mr ('Alaindomild, A 1 r .L Riley ml Air AA r . AY. Lonsdale. A violin solo was eontriluit>d by Air A. Ifilov.

Messrs If. Davison fsecretary’). N AlcKmnoii iitid AY. C'asvidv officiated is Al.C.’s. and the (bmee musk- was oilp[died h\ x A.fr ,T. t l . Parkine-m 1 piano). Air ,T. Riley (cornet) and Mr A. Riley (YiolinY \ dam tv sunnor served under the supervision *of Alc«jhimes • T/- Street. AY. A. Lind. R. "a dev and G. Frost.