PIHAMA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 20 June 1928, Page 11

PIHAMA.

VALEDICTORY G ATHERING

MR. AND MRS. A. R. STEVENSON

(From Our Own Coi .-respondent j

On Wednesday of last week a '‘surprise party” proceeded to tile residence of iVir. land Airs A. R. Stevenson, oi W'auno Road, who are shortly leaving tiie reside on a newiy acquired farm at Normianlby. About 8 p.m., the vicinity of Puneliu station became trie .rendezvous of cars and [pedestrians, and when all were assembled the gathering headed by Mesdames Fischer, Holmes (senr.J and It. Julian, the organisers, marched in. To make sure that the dost and hostess would be at home Air. and Airs. Fischer had arranged to spend the evening there.

The first part of the evening was devoted to., progressive euchre and prizes were Avon respectively by Air. T. Uarev and Aliss At. Fleming. A competitive game Avas a source of mudli chaff and merriment, it being eventually Avon by Air. Bert Hurst. Mr. D. Holmes senr., as the oldest settler on the road reiered to the object of the gathering. In asking Air. and Airs. Stevenson's acceptance of a., large barometer, Air. Holmes referred to their good qualities as friends and neighbours, and lier trusted that they would share the same goodAvill and friendship from their neAV neighbours as they did at Waitino Road. Mr. J. S. Tosland said that residents of the district- were truly sorry to lose Air. SteA'enson as a neighbour. During his residence on the road he had exercised those neighbourly qualities AA'hich lead to respect and goodwill in the community. Airs. Stevenson hacl also bv her cordial hospitality endeared herself and her husband to their neighbours, who had learned to regard them as esteemed friends. He was glad that Mr. Stevenson still retained his Watino Road property and no doubt Air. and Airs Stevenson Avould occasionally visit the district-. He assured Air. and Airs. SteA'enson that they had the Avholehearted goodAvill of their neighbours, who. wished them both every prosperity. Air. Tom Carey endorsing all that the previous speakers had said, and expressed regret, that the gathering AA'as not a public one as many had expressed to him their desire to extend respects to AL-. and Airs Stevenson. Cheers were lustily given to the guestsi to three times three. Air. Stevenson said in reply that he greatly appreciated the gathering’s handsome present, but what Airs. Stevenson ana himself most, valued was the spontaneous nature of the gathering and the cordial friendship shown. That spirit was not, howeA’er, confined solely to that evening because, during his residence on the road he had always received the hearty co-operation of bis neighbours whenever he needed help. He further thanked them for their present and hoped by its aid to ‘‘lose no more haystacks.” He assured friends of the district that if any Avere ever at Nonna,nby they would be AA'elcome. ~ “For They are Jolly Good I etloAvs Avas sung for the third time. After supper the remainder of the evening was devoted to songs and recitations, an item which met Avitbh particular favour being the recitation of “Tam O Slhanter” bv Air. Holmes senr. Auld Lann- Syne” Avas heartily sung and SU n," twice in case any Avoid had been deleted. “It has been a great night said Air. Holmes as Ave bade good-night to Air. and Airs Stevenson, “everv-ono has met every-one.” “Yes, ’ aoded Air. Stan Julian, “and ev'cry-one is me better for it.”