ALTON.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 22 July 1916, Page 4

ALTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION. ] On Wednesday night a farewell social was tendered to Mr and Mrs ' Willis and family. There was a good I attendance, proving tne popularity of tiie guests, xhe evening was spent in piayiiig pallor games and dancing, in- i terspeised w*th songs sung by Mr \Vat- ' jjon and Mias Queenie Hodge, while the Misses Hodge officiated at the piano. After refreshments, which were supplied by the ladies, Mr A. J. Gibbs presented Mr and Mrs Willis with a handsome tea and coli'ee service, suitably msciibed. in»doing so he said that they were ail sorry to lose such good and genuine settlers. Mr Willis had during tne last ten years, done what he could to further the interests of the district. He had been a director of the local dairy company since its inception, and while he was chairman of that company his co-directors had learnt to value his services and to respect his opinions. He had also been a member of the i'atea West Road Board, on- which he had rendered the ratepayers signal service. Mr Gibbs admitted that it was a great pleasure to him to make the presentation, but it would he a much greater one to keep the Willis family in the district. However, on behalf of the settlers of the district he asked Mr Wallis to accept the present as a token of the esteem in which he and his family were held. Mr Washer said he was very pleased to have the opportunity of expressing his appreciation of Mr Willis' services to the district. Perhaps he had been connected with him more than any one in Alton, on the various local committees. Mr Willis had been a prominent member of the Farmers' Union, and also for eight years a member of the local school committee, on which he had worked very hard for the children's benefit. ' He (the speaker) had always found Mr Willis "a straight goer" and a hard hitter when opposed, but he was pleased to say he never carried illfeeling outside a meeting. Mrs Willis had worked very hard in connection with the Methodist Church, and she had for the last year been superintendent of the Alton Sunday school, where her services were much appreciated by the parents and pupils. Mr Hodge also spoke, endorsing the remarks of the previous speakers. Mr Willis and he had always been friends since the former had first arrived in the district, and he had always found him a true sport. They had been associated on several committee and had had many wordy battles, but he could truthfully say that the only occasion he (Mr Hodge) had beaten him, had been in a married men's race. In conclusion, he hoped that Mr and Mrs "Willis would spend many happy years in their new home.

Mr Willis said that, on behalf of Mrs Willis, his family, and himself, he wished to- thank the people of Alton for their present, which they would always very highly prize, especially for the good feeling which had prompted it. As to all the good things which had been said about them that evening, they had only tried to do their little bit. He thought it was every person's duty to help their district in every way possible. He was happy to say he believed he was not leaving one enemy behind. (Applause.) Master Roy , Hodge,, on behalf of the Sunday s?hool scholars, presented Mrs Willis with a handsome silver hot water jug. and made a few remarks regretting, the loss of their superintendent.

The Rev. Mr Watson also made a few remarks on the loss the church would sustain in the departure of Mr and Mrs Willis, but he was sure they would soon find other Christian work to do in their new sphere. \ '