MEREMERE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 13 August 1925, Page 10

MEREMERE.

FAREWELL TO POPULAR RESIDENTS.

The high regard in which Air and Mrs i>.. J Williams, two of the oldest residents in the Mere me re district, are held by the whole community, was amplv evidenced last night, when at the Ohangni Hall they were given a tarewell on the eve of their leaving the district. . , The hall was filled with friends from numv parts of the district, and, Mr G. Wallace was in the chair. The first part of the evening was occupied with a programme of musical and elocutionarv items, the contributing artists beinir Miss Bissett, Airs Tosser, Miss Hoddinott. Mr G. Hessell, Air McOuin. Air A. Spice (songs), Air and Aliss Mills (duet). Airs G. Williams, Aliss M Lichtwark, Air V. Thomas, Aliss Carter (recitations). All the items were much appreciated and encores demanded and given.

Mr J. E. O’Shea then made presentations to Air and Alr s Williams. He •said they were amongst the oldest and most highly respected of the sett'ers in the district, and had taken part in cverv movement for the good of the district. He said it was hardly realised how much they would be missed. They •.nought of the days gone by, when Air and Airs Williams came first to the district, Air Williams having been at Cardiff previously, and he had been first- secretary of the factory, director. ;ind later chairman, and had made a record of which any man might justly be proud. For over thirty years he had been at Aleremere, ancl had come when the roads could be described as ‘‘three feet wide and -six feet deep,” or even worse in some parts; ill the da vs when it took two hours to- cart milk to the factory, a comparatively short distance away. He personally had known their guests for over 25 years, and had during all that time the privilege of their c'ose friendship. Mr Williams was a man whose word was his bond, and a man of unselfish character, and in Addition- he had been careful to cultivate another side of life, the higher thought for the best-, the spiritual aspect of life, and this haul broadened and deepened his char ,inter. Airs Williams, too, had taken a worthy part in the life of the district, and her work in the Sunday School was of the greatest value to- the community. She did everything she- undertook straightforwardly and cheerfully, and her good work woukl, he felt sure, receive its due reward. In the name of the wlio’e community, he said he had tlie greatest pleasure in presenting their guests with tokens of the esteem in which they were held —to Airs Williams a mirror, brush and comb, and In. Mr Wil iams a case of pipes and a purse of sovereigns. On behalf ol all he wisiied them long life, health anr i a n 'in css in their' new home.

Mr A. Bissett said he canid only reecho the sentiments so we 1 expressed ov Air O’Shea. He had had the privilege of knowing Air and A'lr s - Williams -'or thirty-five years. He and Air Williams had worked together in the fac-'»--y and had been the pioneer sup•'liers. Airs Williams had been the niiding star in church matters, ana had trained many of the young people and taught them a 1! that was .good. Her departure would leave a blank in Aleremere that would he hard to fill. He was proud to be associated in. the farewell, and to assure Air and Airs Wil'iams that in leaving they carried a-wav with them the heartiest good wishes of all their many friends. He payed that they would be long spared to cniov their leisure, and that they would find health and happiness in the future.

Mr John Kerrisk said he had been a neighbour of the Wil iams family, and could thoroughly endorse all the good things that had been said. He had been a director with Afr Williams, and sat under him when chairman, and could vouch that he was a good chairman and deserved the best- thanks of the directors. He wished both Afr and Mrs Wil'iams the best that could be wished, and that, they would long he spared to enjoy the leisure that was to bo theirs in their new home. Messrs G. Wallace and P. Sheahan endorsed the testimony of Mr Kerrisk a-s L> Air Williams’ great services to the factory. He also reca'led the wonderful work done bv their guests during tile influenza, epidemic, and how Airs Williams mused the people who were sick and helped in many other ways. Air A. Looney and Mr -Oxbrow added their tributes to the parting guests. Air AVi'liams. on rising to reply, was greeted with loud applause. He -aid lie hoped only half of what had been said was true, and that lie was proud to have so many speak in the l-i'di terms that they had all done. Referring to factory matters, he said he had nearly thii:t'v-two years’ experience. and had been connected with the local factory since its formation 18 years ago, Afr B. C. Robbins having -.darted it and transferred to the com- • uiiv. They had had supp'iers from Pokomoko and Taiporohenui, when the roads were such as he would not like to ride over even. It was a great lav for Airs AVilliams and himself. Pcv had done their very best, though : t was not all they could have wished. T’s,,.. thanked everyone' from their ’■"art ; for the great reception given

them. A Per refreshments had been handed round, the hal ! was cleared for danc-—-n ai-d this was kept up till well after ’l'dirght. All present spent a interesting and enjoyable evening.

FOLLOW THE LEAD of Hip World's Loading Soloists and got. TXTO THE FRONT HANK by playing the famous HAWKES’ BAND INSTRUMENTS. * As used in all British Army Bands. Mr Arthur P. Stender, Solo Cornet of the Newcastle Steel Works Band, plays on a “HAWKES. ’ ’ Everything manufactured by Tlawkes and Ron. London, can be obtained from the Sole Agents for New Zealand —- THE BRISTOL PTANO CO., LTD. (established 1883) AT. J. Brookes North Island Manager. Agent: Mr T. 0. Liddington, High Street, Hawera.