POPULAR SETTLERS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 November 1928, Page 6

POPULAR SETTLERS

SIR WILLIAM AND LADY LE FLEMING.

PRESENTATIONS FROM CHURCHPEOPLE AT OTAHEHO.

The able assistance given in Anglican Church mutters by Sir \Yilkam and Lady Le Fleming and family durum their many years residence at O take ho have been fitly recognised during the past few days by the ehurclipeople of the parochial district, by whom several presentations nave been made and regret expressed at their early departure. Mrs. Solomon gave a farewell afternoon at the vicarage, Manaia, to Lady and Miss Fanny Le Fleming the other day at which a large number of ladies from Otakeho were present. . Music and competitions were indulged in, and were much enjoyed by all. The vicar, the Rev. C. W. Solomon, said how greatly they' all regretted the coming departure of Ladv and Miss Fanny Le Fleming from the district, and asked Mrs. Hastie, as secretary of tho St. John’is Ladies Guild, to make a presentation to Lady Le Fleming on their behalf. Mrs. Hastie, in the course of an excellent little speech, presented her with a handbag. Lady Le Fleming suitably replied. Last night a large surprise; party visited the home of Sir William on Auroa Road, those present including some of the early settlers. Speaking for the parishioners, the Rev C. W. Solomon expressed' the regret felt hv all that Sir .William had resolved to leave them ? but* be added that it was natural that he should wish to move to a larger centre to live in retirement after a. long and strenuous life. On behalf of all the people of the parish he wished them ■all the greatest good fortune in the future, and trusted they would often come down to see their old friends on the Plains. m , .. 'Mr. L. S. Mackie, Mr. T. Herbert, and Mr. E. Wills also spoke, paying a tribute to the work of the Le Fleming family, Mr. E. Wills speaking specially for the Sunday school teachers. . , , A presentation was then made as a mark of esteem of a handsome oak bookcase, with glass doors. Sir William said he thanked oh from the bottom of his heart for their kindly thought and for the fine present, which they would treasure always and which would serve to remind them of the many happy years spent at Otakeho. Ho gave ai brief sketch of the growth of the church in the parish, mentioning that at Otakeho the first Anglican church on the Plains was erected, due to the selfsacrificing efforts of the pioneers of the district. He referred also to' the fact that, for part of the early_ period of settlement the Hawera parish extended to Opunake, and occasional services were conducted there by Rev. W. H. Root, vicar of that district in the ’eighties. Another presentation _ wag' then made by Mr. E. Weills, in tbe shape of a petty clock, to . Miss Fanny Le Fleming, in recognition of her consistent and devoted service in the Sunday school. Supper was served by the ladies _ ot the party, and an enjoyable evening concluded with the singing of ‘ ‘Auld Lang Syne.”