VALEDICTORY.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1036, 22 May 1902, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION TO ME AND MHS GRIEVE. Despite the extremely wet weather prevailing lust evening, a fairly large number of friends of Mr Thomas Giieve (who is giving up the management of Bushy Park station, and leaving the district for the North) assembled in Barclay's Barn for tho purpose of bidding him good-bye. Mr and Mrs Gri«fe huvo been residents of the district for the last 23 years, and tliey will be much missed in A many ways. Mis Grieve for some considerable time has bron acting as oriranist for congregation, and her loss is deeply deplored on that account. Mr A. Davidson, on behalf of the naidnnta of Wiiiniumu, presented the following address to Mr Grieve : -" For over 2a years you have been living in our midst, and during that time yon have endeared yourself to your felluw residents, and your place in our affections will lie very hard to till. In tho early years of the settlement of this district ai/" in later years, you have been ever ready to lend a helping hand in everything pertaining to the welfare of the district, whether the object was in the forwarding of matters relating to the church or in obtaining money for charitable purposes. Your help was also freely offered in helping forward the interests of tho public school. In presenting you with these tangible tokens of our respect and esteem, we trust that you will not value them for their intrinsic worth, but as showing our deep appreciation of your invaluable kindness to us ; and we also trust that whenever you make use of ihi-m you mind may go back to the many years which you spent with us : happy years for us, and full of pleasant and bright recollectious of hours spent in your company. We all join in wishing you God speed, and trust that wherever your future lot may bo cast, < prosperity may attend you and those near and ' dear to you."~~(Apphuse). Mr Davidson regretted that Mr Grieve was leaving the district. Whoever citne in contact with Mr and Mrs Grieve at homo were overwhelmed with kindness and honpitality. Mr Davidioti wished Mr and Mrs Grieve good luck, and' said that he hoped their ways might bo pleasniit. lie find much pleasure in presenting Mr Giieve with a handsome gold albert and Mrs Grieve with a silver teapot. - (Applause).

Mr Milne accorded Mr and Mrs Grieve nig best wishes. They had done a lot to help the district along, and he felt sure they were deserving of long lite and happiness. Mr Caithness thought ho had known Mm and Mr Grieve as long as anyone, and they were a real lady and gentleman. He hop-d that when they settled s miewhero else, their friends would be as numerous aa in Wai- \ mumu. His friends in the district would V always be grateful to him, and perhaps Mr * Grieve would sometimes remember those ho ' had left behind. At some future time, perhaps, Mr and Mrs Grievn would be in the district, and the people of Waimumu would be happy indeed to receive them again. - (Applause).

Mr Grieve thanked his friends nn behalf of his wife and himself for the kind way in which tliey hud treated him and for the kind words uttered by the speakers. Ah they were all aware he was wiving up his position at Bushy l'ark in a w.-ek, but as yet had made no ammi;omi".ts for the future. Wherever lie did s-ttle, however, ho hoped he would meet with 114 good neighbors and friends us he had always had in the Waimumu district.- (Loud spplause). Th« evening was devoted to dancing, the floor being in excellent order, and good musio was provided by Messrs Lamle and Urigga. A bountiful supper was provided by the ladies of thedistnct. Mr Cookson santr Hplendidly ' ','„ ,7 "" J" 3 ™ Jack " aml " Th " Yeoman's Wedding Song"; Mrs Hamilton rendered "Killarney" in a very acceptable manner, and later, "The Bridge," and Mr J. Jamie was loudly encored for his comic numhcu. Messrs Uuiterworth,. J. Milne, and Brigga also rendered songs, and Mr J. W. Hamilton, in an impressive manner, delivered two stirring recitations. Mr Uripga also gave an Irish jig very creditably. Miss Grieve and Mr Laurie played the accompaniments. The gathering broke up at an early hour this morning to the strains of " Auld Lang Syne," cheers being called for Mr and Mm • Grieve and the Misses Grieve. The bandsome gifts were obtained from the establishment of Mr J. Jamie, Gore.