N. D. A.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 2 July 1925, Page 6

N. D. A.

SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL. One of the features of the visit of the delegates of the N.D.A. to Hawera for their annual conference has been their entertainment by the citizens of the town and district. The big committee. set up for this purpose worked most heartily, and every difficulty that at first presented itself was successfully overcome. The social committee consummated its efforts last night, when, delegates and visitors numbering about four hundred were entertained in one of the big halls in the Freezing Company’s premises, opposite the Winter Show. After very short speeches of welcome by the Mayor (Mr E. A. Pacey) and acknowledgment by Mr T. Moss, of Eketahuna, a capital programme of musical and elocutionary items was given, which delighted those present. Visitors were loud in their expressions of approval, some going so far as to say it was, the best they had heard in the many centres where the big meeting had been held.

Members of the Women’s National Reserve were associated with the. committee and took off their hands entirely the arrangements for supper. They entered into the work whole-heartedly, and the result was, as always with the Reserve, an undoubted success. There were ample supplies, and waitresses among the members did their part of the work as though to the manner born. It was all highly appreciated by flie large company present. The evening opened with the National Anthem, led by memebrs of the Orchestral Society. The Mayor then briefly welcomed the visitors, saying how much the people of town and district appreciated- the visit. They had planned to give them as pleasant a time as possible, and hoped all were enjoying the short stay in South Taranaki.

Mr T. Moss, in acknowledging the kindness of the Hawera people, said that the delegates realised the difiiculty of securing. accommodation for so many in a small town. He recalled that when the location was being-discussed in Auckland last year, a-telegram had been received from Hawera saying that the matter of accommodation would be fixed, and he must acknowledge it had been done, and done well.

Later Mr Moss made some complimentary remarks about the town, the people, and the hospitality of town and country. He recalled that the- N.D.A. was started in Hawera 31 years ago, and added that it was fitting the meeting should come back once more to its birthplace. The Dairy Parliament of 1925 had been one of tlie- best conducted! and most interesting and useful of all he had attended. He referred interestingly to the mountain, and waxed eulgoistic in his praise of its beauties and its ever-changing aspects. .In conclusion he said that all the delegates did really and wholeheartedly appreciate all that had been done for them.

The visitors all rose and gave cheers for the people of Hawera and district, and sang heartily “For they a're jolly good- fellows. ” The musical programme was good and enjoyable, and was very keenly appreciated by all. It opened with a selection by members of the Orchestral Society under their conductor, Mr Fox. All the performers were good and contributed their numbers in a w&y that delighted their listeners, who showed their approval by insisting on encores from each. The numbers were as follow: Songs by Miss O. Grindrod, “O lovely night” and “My Soul”; Miss Herbert, “She wandered down the mountain side”; Mr G. Hessell, “Invietus”; Mr C. Moss, ‘ c Myself when young” and “Invitation to- the dance”; Mr MeQuin, “When the house is asleep”; ’cello solo, Mr H. N. Lester, “Berceuse” (B. Godard); recitations by Mr Peter Eadie; comic song by Mr Laidlaw, “Agitator”; Scotch humorous songs by Mr W, G. Simpson, “If ever I get married again,” and the oldfa vourites “Just a wee doch anddoris, ” “Singing is the thing,” and “That’s the reason noo I wear the kilt.” The accompaniments were very well played by Miss D. Joll, Mrs Lester and Mrs Simpson.

Before the function concluded the company rose and sang “Auld Lang Syne.”