MR DONOVAN SAYS GOOD-BYE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 December 1926, Page 6

MR DONOVAN SAYS GOOD-BYE.

theatre and supper party. Many friends have been made in Levin by Mr and Mrs T. M. Donovan, whose associations with the De Luxe Theatre and- the social and public interests of the town will be remembered long after their departure. On Saturday night a crowd of young and old of both sexes were the guests of these esteemed citizens, first at the pictures and afterwards in the Wistaria tearooms, where a farewell supper was given. Hospitality was dispensed with a lavish hand, and it, was something like a big family re-union over which the Mayor (Mr T. Hobson) presided. The tables were suitably decorated and Christmas crackers were laid round for the guests, so that when the fancy caps, were donned the gathering bad the characteristic spirit of the festiva 1 season. A LOSS TO LEVIN. His Worship, in opening the proceedings, said they were very much indebted to Mr and” Mrs Donovan for having invited them to this function and also for having entertained them at the theatre. The position ought to have been reversed, for the guests themselves should have been the hosts, in order to show their appreciation of the kind actions of Mr and Mrs Donovan during their stay in Levin., “We are greatly indebted to them in many ways,” His Worship continued. “Mr Donovan has been a man of energy and .forethought, and he has' pushed Levin very much to the front during the last twelve months. We have been very happy in having him here. Now it comes to a time when we have to say good-bye —though I it will only be an revoir. We shall miss Mr Donovan’s kindly face, his humorous smile, and bis many jokes. We shall miss his great friendliness, his kindness ; and his gentlemanly conduct in every way. It seems to me that he is a man. whom we can ill afford to lose. Speaking as Mayor of the town, I regret very much indeed that he has thought fit to leave us. He was a progressive man and a man in the right place every time. I want to thank him and Mrs Donovan for the very kind thought that prompted them to invite us all to the De Luxe Theatre this evening and afterwards to supper. I wish them every prosperity, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.” The Mayor then called on all present to accord their hosts musical honours — a request which met with a hearty response.

" Cr. Kesdwoll said that the happiness of the gathering was, for him at least, tinged with feelings of sadness and regret at losing one whom the community could ill afford to lose. Mr Donovan had come among them nine cr ten months ago, but it had not taken long to discover that he was a man of considerable initiative and energy, who seemed to have the welfare of Levin at heart. Right from the start he seemed to be bent on pushing the town, and he had accomplished quite a lot in a short time. The speaker first knew him probably 20 years ago, so that he was not altogether a stranger when he came to Levin in connection with negotiations for the lease of the theatre. They met round the Council table and had a few tussles, but both the Council and Mr Donovan got their way. He was a man possessed of a lot of enthusiasm and was very keen for work —too keen at tiffies, seeing that he was not blessed with a very robust constitution. Mr Donovan had done a considerable amount for many organisations here; he had taken them all to heart and helped them along. Whether church, social or athletic activities were concerned, if he could give them a helping hand he was ready to do so. Every section of the community wquld regret his departure, and the speaker hoped that Mr Donovan’s intended move would only be a temporary one. If he and Mrs Donovan came back they could be assured of a mighty good welcome.

Mr D. W. Matheson said lie quite agreed with Mr Keedwell in the hope that their hosts would return. The gathering trusted that Mr Donovan’s stay in Levin had a been a success for himself. As one who was largely interested in the municipal block, the speaker contended that Levin was most fortunate in having associated with it a man with the experience of theatre business that Mr Donovan possessed, lie had taken a keen interest in the welfare of Levin, which had been bettered as a result of his stay. The town would always welcome him when he cared to visit it again. Cr C. Shaw, chairman of the Levin Choral Society, said he could only reiterate the statements made by the Mayer and Mr Keedwell. He had greatly appreciated Mr Donovan’s assistance in the society’s work. When the theatre was being erected the Council had its pinpricks. It was said that the building would be a great “white elephant” and that it would never pay; but he thought it had now been shown that it had paid. A success had been made of the whole block. There were only about three theatres in the Dominion that had better appointments; and no town in Ncav Zealand had a better hall for singers. Mr J. O’Donohue thanked Mr Donovan heartily for what he had done for the boys of the Training Pa rip. He was verv sorry that Mr Donovan was

going away. Mr Logan said that, ns a representative or the “Chronicle” lie had had a good hi any dealings with Mr Donovan, They had had one or two words at times, but had been able to laugh over them afterwards. In the production of-the Amateur Operatic Society Is •day “Yours and Mine,” Air Donovan was of great assistance, placing the.concert chamber at their disposal at a nominal rental and showing himself veiy reasonable at the settling-up. The ..peaker wished Air and Ali-s Donovan the compliments of the season, and lung life ami prospciity. Air P. J. W. Ptallard, speaking on behalf of the Levin Amateur Athlete 1 Club, said that Air Donovan had given that organisation all the help he possibly could, la the carnival arranged •some time ago he was of great assLt a nee. The speaker believed that the (dub was the first to use the theatre for a dance. The floor was all wrong at first, but, thanks to Air Donovan, everything was quickly put right, and the function was a success. A great deal of the popularity of the theatre was due to Air Donovan and his partner, Mr

McMillan. He hoped that Mr and Mrs Donovan would pay frequent visits to Levin. On behalf of the club he wished them the compliments of the season. ' THE HOST RESPONDS. In responding, Mr Donovan, who was received_ with loud applause, said that it was with deep regret that he had to address this gathering. The ladies and gentlemen present had all been associated with him in various enterprises; and their little associations had been most pleasant and beneficial in every respect. He had always felt it a duty to advance the interests of the town, independently of individual interests. The community spirit was lacking in a number of districts, but it was present here and would bring Levin out among the provincial towns. By reason of its geographical situation and the motor sendee lines this must prove to be a town of some importance. "When he came here to look at the theatre, Mr McMillan took him round the town and the district and he was pleased to see the nice homes and gardens, the recreation grounds, the cleetide light and water services, and everything-'that made a place progressive. He could see then that a theatre would help to induce people to settle here or to retire in the town, where there was everything else that could be obtained in a city. Visiting companies had expressed unbounded admiration of the theatre and its appointmnts. It had always been the aim of the management to cater largely for local shows like the Choral Society and the Athletic Club, because they established goodwill. He considered that shows of the greatest calibre should come to play in this theatre. The conclusion of that night’s pictures marked his final appearance in connection with the De Luxe Theatre. He had not the best of health, and he .had decided that the constant strain of attending to his interests in Wellington and travelling backwards and forwards to Levin was too great. Mr McMillan could see that too, and he decided that the position could be best served by having the People’s and De Luxe joined under one management; so an amalgamation was effected with Mr Eodd, and the speaker retired. He still retained his interests with Mr McMillan, and he wished to have the respect and esteem continued towards that gentleman as it had been extended to them both in the past. The productions would be fin the good hands of Mr McMillan and the same class of pictures would be shown and the same results given. He regretted parting from the people of Levin. Mrs Donovan and himself had met sc many good folks here that they felt it to be their duty to the citizens to give them this supper. His departure would be final from the point of view of the theatre, but not from that of friendship, and he and Mrs Donovan would visit Levin again. If it were not for his family and ■ business interests in Wellington, Mrs ijonovan would live in Levin, which she was leaving reluctantly. . He wished everybody the compliments of the season, and hoped that the coming year would be full of prosperity for the farming community and for the business people of Levin. (Applause). THE NEW MANAGEMENT. The Mayor stated that Mr McMillan was going to carry on the management of the De Luxe and People’s pictures. His Worship extended to him the hearty good wishes of the gathering, and hoped that he would have every success in his undertaking, Mr McMillan, who was received with musical honours, stated that during his association'with Mr Donovan he had found in him one of the best friends he had ever met in business. They had never argued the point, and he regretted very much that Mr Donovan was going away. The speaker had agreed with him that it was only reasonable that he should study his own interests and more particularly those of his family. Although he was going away, he was leaving interests in the town. As for the pictures, Ihc management of the theatre, and the requirements of the public, they would all receive reasonable consideration. It bad been rumoured that the management was going to “put it across the people”; there was no intention of this. If any assistance was required by the citizens for the betterment of their town, they must not be backward, but come and tell him. what was wanted and he would be with them. A PRESENTATION. On behalf of the'staff of the De Luxe Mr Cyril Yarn ham presented to Mr Donovan a gold-mounted pencil and to Mrs Donovan a beautiful bouquet. He fated that Messrs Donovan and McMillan had always looked after the interests of their employees and treated them well. ' Mr Donovan sincerely thanked the staff for -the kindly thought which had prompted the presentation. “We have a very nice staff and a good-looking staff,” be added. “The selection of the staff was made by Mr McMillan.” The gathering concluded with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”