POPULAR ARROWITES FAREWELLED.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3460, 25 October 1921, Page 5

POPULAR ARROWITES FAREWELLED.

IPHESENTATJoN TO THE EDIE

FAMILY

When it became known that Mr G. 8. Edio ha ddisposed, of Glencoe ►Station. Arrow town, and that therefore the Edie family were on the <cve ot leaving the district the decision was quickly arrived at by the people of Arrowtown and district settlers that so worthy a family should not be allowed to go away without carrying with them tangible tokens ot the respect and esteem in winch they were hold in the. community. Mr Edie had identified himself intimately with several locai bodies, was the local member for the Southland Hospital Board, and had taken a prominent interest in sport. The members of the family, Miss Gwen. Edie and Messrs 0. and E. Edio, haa shown pronounced sporting instincts whilst residing in the distract. Suiting the action to the word a subscription list was passed round Arrowtown and the district an*d i't was generously contributed to. The Edie family were invited to meet their numerous well-wishers in the Athenaeum Hail, Arrowtown, last Friday evening. A reflex of the'popularity of the family was seen in the large and altogei her cordial company of folk, young and old, which lilicd the ha.il to overflowing. The first, part of the evening was devoted to a short concert programme. The various items were all most acceptably given and drew forth rounds of applause from an enthusiastic audience. The programme was as follows:—Song, "SioHand Vet, Mr C. Ross: pianoforte duel. Misses R. and G. Stevenson: ,'Ong. "Deathloss Army,’ Mr 11. E- Hicks; being recalled, he sang "(Queen <>! the Earth’’: recitation. "The Little Prestiditaieur,’ Mi" Ethel Dune,an; cornet sola-. Answer. and Song Without Words,” Rev. J. Kani ay; song, Come to the Fair,” Dr. M. Anderson, ami as a recall mmilie.r “The Bells of St. Mary.” The concert was brought to a conclusion by a short comedy until led "Before aim after marriage. The principal characters in this were*, sustained by .Mrs I). Barron and Mr 1). Macleod. a sub-

denary part being taken by Mr D. Barron. The comedy was a gaaiat. success and was responsible for not a little espontaneon- mirth on the part of the audience. ME.-* R. Stevenson acted as aceompanisi.

The presentation to the gue.-ts of the owning then took place. Mi ••• Reid, Mayor ol Arrow'town, road :i]hj!ogies front Uev It. de I-amhert, Messrs Geo. Ueid and J. S. < ollins. He said that it wa< irr:i-( i Tying to see Mich a large assemblage present 10 do honour to tin- guests of tin- evening, Mr and Mrs Edit- and family. • It v.as minitak cable evidence ot the appre-

ciaiion in which such worl.iiy res:dents more lie!ci in tin'- eomiiui.nity. On behalf of the i*eople ot tin* district In- de-irod |o te-unm’ to lies thcEdie family their \o y h<vt wishes and long life and prosperity in their

new homo. The Mayor Uteii called on Mr (1. 11. Homans to make the presentation to Mr and Mrs Ldie and family. Mr Homans said about throe weeks ago a rumour went abound Arrow town that they were likely to lose, the I,die family from tiie dislri"l, as the .result of an exchange of ownership between tilenooe and ltirehwo.nl Stations. They trot, a mild shock. When it became "definitely known that the exchange had taken plan'., they in'gan to realise what- thi- 10-.s. would mean to them. Tlie members of this family had always taken a very gnat ini ere-1 in many movements in. the town and district. They were, mow over, prominent in the mat tot’of sport. Mr Edie had also been largely identified with pubiie alfairs in Lake County. Tiie family wore hospitable to a decree; many in the district could testily to the hearty handshake and eheei\ gieeting which they received at Glencoe Station. They knew that it wa- inevitable that such changes must lake place and in. ■the present instance -they regretted exceedingly the departure of the l-'/lie family from I lie district. The gathering that evening -the;e weie also many who were unable to lie present —tesiilied in an ample manner to the esteem in which the Ldie family were held. Mr Homans then made the presentation to the departing guests which consisted of a handsome silver revolving- soup tureen and set of entree dishes. Those presents, he said, were a slight token oi the esteem in which they were held by every member oft lie community. They would be forwarded to them in due course with, the following words inscribed thereon: “Presented to Mr and Mi's G. S. Edie ana family on their departure from the Wakatipu, as a token of esteem from their many friends, 21/10/21.’” In conclusion. Hie, speaker hoped that Mr and Mrs Enlie would live to a great old age to use, these articles, and that, they ;uul their family would have a bright and happy lime in their new home, and increased prosperity in life-. *Applause). Mr Win. Reid, Chairman ol the Lake County Council, spoke in reference to Mr E iE's ( oiinei-lioii with the Con,mi!. They all ways got on well together. Mr Ldie always did Ids duty to the ratepayers and as a member of the Works' Committee he bad travelled over a good part of the district in tin- i-xe-ulioii of hi- duly. On Indian of tie- County o iiiiicil Mi Held wished Mr Ldie every success in his new home.

Mr 1). Macirod teferae I lo |M-’ Edic’s connection with the Southland 110-pi-ta 1. Bourn. Thi- w:i- probably the most important of all the positions which Mr Edie held. An unwilling candidate for (lie position, lie Jialu proved himself the best memler that tin* County ever had. Aery little avus

done in regard to a medical man foil Arrow until Mr Edie was elec tea Among some of the tilings which ,h< had sueceedcid in obtaining during’ In,membership wars a small subsidy ol TSO for the Wan aka district, replan

ishing ol a medical chest at (Henoi’cliy. and special telephone facilities for the Franklon Hospital. Although Mr Edie was leaving the district it was not necessary that he should resign at once, and Mr Maclcod expressed (he opinion that lie should retain .his .seat until the loca. business at presenl under consideration by the Board had been completed‘.Mr 1.. Lee, speaking on behalf of Hie Lake County A .and P. Society, of which he is president, said that he did not think there was any more unanimously expressed regret in the district at ‘anyone’s going away than that for Mr Edie and family. The Society, which he repre rented, could

not. let Mr Edie go away withofut publicly stating’ how much they would feel his loss, which was an irreparable one. Mr Edie had done much to help the Society along and make it a success. Speaking general Iv of Mr Edie, he would say that he* had always been ably backed up in all ho did by Ins wife and family. The Wakatipu was a better place to live in for their having been tin it. Any of (he Edie family will id ways be warmly welcomed Adieu they ever re visit, the Wakatipu. The speaker sincerely hojHid that Mr Edie would achieve the object for he was leaving. In conclusion, he hoped that the Edie family would enjoy prosperity in their new ventuie.

Mr R. M. Paterson spoke of Mr Edie’s activities in connection with the L.C. Jockey Club. Unfortunately, the Gluo was almost a defunct body, but if all the members had worked in its interests as did Mr Exile, things would be dilforent now. Mr Paterson s|oke of the unfailing hospitality o' the Edie family, and reference was made in this respect to Mr Edie s mother, who resided at He*riol. Gn behalf ol ‘Hie Club, he wished Mr Edie. and family every success in their new home.

Mr 11. G. Bruce eulogised Mr .Edie for what lie had done in connection with the Arrow Defence Rifle (luh. His ciTorts largely conduced to theformation ol the Club. Later on in the evening, Mr Bruce, on bchaU 0,1 the Football Club, presented Mr Edie with a ease of Loewe pipes. 1 lie plate on the outside oi the ease was suitably inscribed. Mr Bruce also presented Messrs Oswald arid Eric Edie with beautiful gold nmunlnd fountain pens, the gift of the I cot bailors. Mr Biuce also mentioned that Mr Edie and his two sons had b/*eu made life memiiei's of tie* Arrow Font ball Chib.

Mr A. Sinison. Mayor of (Queens town, sail that he regarded the linegathering that evening as_ a great compliment to Mr Edie and hi- family, lb* had always found Mr Edie to lie an honourable and generous man. As local member of the Southland Hospital Board he had proved himself to lu* a good representative., Mr F. Cotter briefly referred io the active part wlii hj Mis.s Edie had taken in connection with the Tennis Club, and. on behalf of the mein lie r-s. wade her a presentation of a silver - jewm case and silver vase. On rising to reply, the amtmn.v cheered Mr Edie aid sang heartily.

“For he’s a Jolly Go 1 I*e;low. M Fdie’s reply was brief but none lh !e-> sincere. He said !e- wish, ,| t

thank all to- the lion nr which hah been dom* him ami his family that evening, and for (heir lieaiitifn! gi.Ds. During (heir seven years residence in tin* district it had been their privi-

lege to nice- Dm lim-l lot ol peome Dial thev had known in t.hi*i" lives. If .my of ilmin wod* ever visiting Bireh wood he hoped that they would

iok thorn up. M- (». iviir r\pro--<nl hi- ani.t his rother’.s thanks in (,lio foot 1 >al!<*!*> for irir very u-eful ltifl-. and Miss lain.' ■tunnel thank- for* tie pie-nn.te-’jj.• ii .-lie rr advol from th - T-imi-

Du' ing t!ii* pm "-* ■nl;i t ion - Messrs D. Barron and W. Steven-on -tine popular immGers in wliicii the words were modified In -nil the oeu.-ion. Hie lir.sl-named look f>r ill- air lon II H, .member Me," ami the la-i -namcl ‘Will Ye No Come Hack Again.’ The songs greally appeah* 1 to the de.pa.uing guests. T!i is concluded t in* formal ce:emonies. The lial! was then cleared for dancing which was. kept going with a merry swing til! the e:u';> hours. After the first dance ~, >j, refreshments were iianded arounid the nail by several willing and agreeable heipe's. The singing of “Anfd Lang Syne’ brought a most .-itecessfu! function io a close.