PRESENTATION AT PREBBLETON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9622, 14 January 1892, Page 5

PRESENTATION AT PREBBLETON.

Most of the inhabitants of Prebbleton assembled on Tuesday evening to witness' 1 the presentation of a marble clock and a purse of sovereigns to Mr W. H. Comerlord on the occasion of his leaving the district after seventeen years as district schoolmaster. The Bev W. I*. Knowles.' took the chair, and read the following letter, which was signed by a very large number of subscribers :—r "Prebbleton, Jan. 12, 1892. To W. H. Gomerford, Esq. Dear Sir,—Upon the occasion of your leaving Prebbleton after a residence of seven teen years, there are those who would not have you depart without a word of farewell. Your School Committee desires to show its senseofyour past service in connection with the school, the library and in other ways. Your Mends in this and neighbouring districts wish likewise to mark their appreciation of the help afforded by your musical abilities to various good objects in days gone by. The vestry and parishioners of All Saints* Church have also to acknowledge with many thanks the efficient manner in which the duties of organist have been performed by you, not for the past year only but for many years. For these purposes, they have combined to ask your acceptance of the accompanying clock and other articles of your own choice, with also a purse of sovereiugs, in the hope that you will accept them not so much for their intrinsic value, as an evidence of goodwill on the part of the contributors. The Chairman of the School Committee {Mr Patchett) also desires Mrs Comerford’e acceptance of the cruet-stand herewith as a token of his personal regard not for yourself alone, but for your wife and family. With feelings of deep regret that untoward circumstance have necessitated your removal from Prebbleton, the contributors whose names are appended bid you farewell, trusting that your home, wherever situated in the future, may bo in the midst of congenial surroundings, and that circumstances may be so ordered as to minister abundantly to the welfare of yourself, Mrs Comerford and your family.’* The Chairman, Mr Deal (Churchwarden) and Mr Patchett (Chairman of the School Committee) spoke of the good service done by Mr Oomorford, and wished him and his family every success. Mr Comerford briefly returned thanks. General regret was freely expressed at Mr and Mrs Comerford leaving a district with which they have been so long associated.