VALEDICTORY.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1035, 20 May 1902, Page 3

VALEDICTORY.

J PRESENTATIONS TO MB AND MRS C. f SIMMONS. Mr C. Simmons, the popular guard on the Clinton-Invercargill section of railways, who has received well-deserved promotion, was entertained at a banquet by fellow railway servants and friends at Invercargill on Friday evening. Felicitious mention was made of Mr Simmons' sterling qualities, and he wa.made the recipient of a handsome gold watcb. A gold and greenstone brooch was also presented to Mr Simmons on behalf of bis wife. Our Clinton correspondent writes : —On Wednesday last a miu-on >f 'be local tennis players paid a surprise visit to Mr and Mrs * Simmons at their home and presented them with a handsome silver-mounted jelly dish. Mr J. B. Thomson made the presentation, and spoke of the kindness of Mr and Mrs Simmons in allowing tennis players to use their court at a time when the public court was ont of order. Those presant he said appreciated their kindness in this respect, and felt they could not let them go without showing it in some tangible form. He wished them health and prosperity in their nev, home. Mr Simmons, in reply on behalf of himself and Mrs Simmons, said they were sorry to leave Clinton, but their home would always be there andthey might some time be able to return to it. He thanked all for their present, and hoped that he would see many of them in his new home, even though it was to be a long way off. The rest of the evening was spent in harmony, games, etc., and after a nice supper provided by the ladies, " Auld Lang Syne " was sung, and general farewells said.

PRESENTATION TO Mil JOHN BOYLE. Our correspondent writes further:—On Friday evening a similar social was tendered to Mr John Bovle by the people of Kunwao district. Mr B"oy!c recently disposed of his property, and for a time at least intends to reside in his native town Fort William, Lochabar, Scotland. His neighbors, therefore, mustered in force in the local school to bid him good-bye. Mr Begg occupied the chair and explained the object of the gathering, after which a programme of musical items, songs, etc., was given, and greatly enjoyed. After supper (which was an excellent one in every way) had been discussed, Mr Begg, on behalf of the people of the district presented Mr Boyle with a travelling bag and rug. Mr Begg said he had known Mr Boyle for the past sixteen years, and always found him an excellent neighbor. He for one was sorry he was going away, but ventured the opinion that he would soon tire of his native heath, and return once more to New Zealand and the Gorge. He congratulated Mr Boyle on being able to retire at this stage of his life, and that he said borestrikmg testimony to their guest's care and judgment as a sheep farmer, and also of the grazing qualities of the Kuriwao district. Several other settlers of the district also spoke. Mr Boyle, in reply, thanked all present for getting up such a function in his honor. He always thought a lot of the Gorge people, and he was sorry he was leaving them. He had done well in the Gorge, and he wished all his neighbors the same measure of success that he had had. As to their handsome presents, be felt he had done nothing to deserve them, but he thanked them heartily for them. He would prize them highly, and never forget as long as he lived the people of the Gorge, or the many kindnesses they had showjn him. Mr Boyle concluded by giving those present, especially the young people, some real good advice, which, no doubt, they will in time take to heart and act upon. Mr Millar, of Ashley Downs, who is to be Mr Boyle's travelling companion going Home, was present, and in an appropriate speech, assured Mr Boyle's friends that he would do his best to look after their friend on the journey. The room was cleared, and a few hours' dancing was indulged in. Excellent music was supplied bv Messrs McLaren and Kean (violin) and Muir (piano). Messrs Millar and Boyle sail on the 31st inst., the former hoping to be back in about nine months.