MANGATOKI

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 27 May 1915, Page 8

MANGATOKI

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

FAEEWELL GATHERING

The Mangatoki pubiic gathered in force on i^esaay eveiuug to Dia iare\V6ii to Mr ana iJrs \v aiders, wiio nave decided to leave the district. Mr Vv alters has been heio some lour or five years, and has earned the respect and esteem of ail with whom he came in contact, as he was the postmaster, and' so in difect touch. Mrs Walters, since her arrival two years ago, has proved an acquisition, and in many ways has initiated gatherings and helped? along others for local or for patriotic purposes. Mr Walters, again, has always giyen his help at concerts, not only in this district, but elsewhere. The people of Mangatoki felt that they could not let such residents leave without some token of appreciation, and so ananged up appropriate farewell in the nature of a social evening. Mr H. Evans acted as secretary, and it is to his efforts that the great success of the gtahering was due. The hall was packed, and Mr W. Pryde, as M.C., was kept busy in,seeing that all had partners. The music was supplied by several ladies and gentlemen present," and a "good programme was contributed to by Missas W. and N. Astbury, J. and M. Lambie, Free, Mrs O'Hagan, Messrs Astbury. Charlton, Coward, Evans and Pilkmgtbn.

At the supper adjournment Mr Astbnry, on behalf of the residents of the district, made Mr and Mrs Walters a presentation of a sovereign case and a silver tripod flower stand, and referred to the obliging manner in which Mr and Mrs.Walters had always helped at social functions, never letting" their own convenience. stand in the way of doing a good turn. As postmaster and storekeeper, Mr Walters was respected, and all were sorry that goodbye had now to be-said. He trusted fliat Mr tnd" Mrs Walters wou'd be successful in any new sphere of life, and assured them that they would leave Mangatoki with the good wishes' of all.

"For ht.'s a jolly good fellow" and three hearty cheers showed how the audience endorsed Mr Astbury's remarks.

Mr Walters suitably responded, but trusted the audience would excuse him making a long speech. He felt that he was being treated more generously than he deserved, but on behalf of Mrs Walters and himself he wished to thank them all very much. * , With such a larsre crowd,' and including every Mangatoki boy who has volunteered for the front it was only fitting that the patriotic spirit should manifest itself, and this was shown in the splendid response made to a suggestion that a collection should be taken up for the Hospital, Sinn Funds. (JonsiderJn-r that this was a surprise packet and that many had come unprepared, the otal • *I°,gatnered in was highly gratifying. The money is to be spent m buying blankets, sheets and material, to b& cade up by tb« Ladies' Patriotic Committee, who still sew every Thursday A doll given to the Belgian Fund Vy Mrs Walters, had 500 penny tickets taken on it. The several young peon!e who sold these tickets deserve credit for seeing- sllCn a liberal response. Mr Marx, senr., made an announcement that the war fund in connection with the factory amounted to £260. f^d that he was in favor of devoting this to belning in some way the bovg of the district, and th^t +b» shareholders and supnliers would', either «.(on or at the normal meeting have nn or>nort"nity of deciding as to the allocation, of +^a f"r,rl. Ke +oni ? +, no opportunity of thankinp: Mr WnH« rg f O ,. tne n apv cour.+osi"^ s^own to hitn. "Yowr f;-.vn" would a^o like to *nx the same. In all ways., and vr,on all occasions—?q postmn.s+er, performer. TPembe*- of oom-mi++-pe. ard ?s s+or^kep.per—^he had invnnablv sbnwn pourtesv and gi^ei?. -e«il and his place will be hard to fill.

On S«tm-rlav nip^t last M r Walter?: en+prtoinerl' a rmmlinr of hi«i infi-tiato "rale friends *»t a social ei-onin S . A few nipf.sant honr.s iro^-e wln'^d n-,vnv in speeches, song; and story. Mr Evans was chnirr""^, n)lf ] various t-oasts Mere ho^orerl. Mr "Wiilt^ra sni+.nbly rn.lierl, and said it was'oniv the hop© of h*>vl mcr^ more soove nnd of hetieri^cr hfs no«ifcion that made him leave M.incatoki. ■ .-