CROYDON VALEDICTORY.

Mataura Ensign, 2 July 1914, Page 2

CROYDON VALEDICTORY.

TO MR EDWARD BIGGAR,

A number of friends of Mr Edward Biggar, of the Postal Deijartment. assomlbled m the Croydon Hall on Monday .evening for the iHirnose. of tenderins him a. smoke concert on the eve of his departure from the district. •f'"i J - A ' Ma °donald, who presided, said he haci a very pleasing dutv to perform on .behalf of Mr Biggar's manv friends at and .around Crovdon. He had known "Ted" Biggar since he was a. 'hoy. Their guest had been born in the district, and he (.the ispeaker) wis exceedingly pleased to see so many of his frienda turn out in his honor. Mr Big-gar had "roved himself to "be a genial and obliging young man, and his prowess as a footballer was well known, as was also his sterling character. He (the speaker) was only voicing- the! feeling of all present when -he said they were all generally proud of their guest. He would be much missed and he (Mr, Maedona.ld) trusted that Mr Biggar would frequently visit his old home at Croydon and renew old friend- 1 ships. Personally, he was losing a ] friend and one from whom he had received .many acts of kindness. Ha had much pleasure in calling on Mr William Johnston to present their guest with a handsome _ case of Loewe pipes as a token of their esteem and friendship. , Mr Johnston congratulated Mr Biggar upon 'his promotion in the Civil Service. He had every confidence in their young friend! and expected to see him rise to a high position in the Postal Department,

Mr? J. F. Grant said lie was sorry to say good-bye to his old chum, and schoolmate. "Ted" Biggar was a loyal and true friend. Everybody admired hisi manly, genial manner 'and ait-hough reluctantly compelled to ;iart with him for the present they would all delight to hear of his advancement in the Government service.

Mesrs Geo. M'ackav, J. H. Croad, J. D. Smith, Geo. Flett, H. Edwards, Thos. N'ir'holrtoii, and Geo. Wtraehan also spoke and Mr Biggar'.s health was drunk with musical honors. Mr Geo. Biggar, in response to undeniable calls, said he was e,uitc unahlo to express his feelilira towards 'all present for the genuine goodfellouvship which had prompted them to turn, out in honor of his son. He was proud to ibe among them ihwause. he kne'v tliey wee all" sincere friends of his family and ho thanked them one and all for their expressions oi good will which went a long, way towards assuaging Lis feeling at parting with his son "Ted." who was tlie last of his sons to leave the narental roof at Croydon. Mr EdJwardi Biggar, in responding, said he felt very sori'v indeed to ha.ve to part with all those present. They ,were all friends whose respect and good\vill: he was exceedingly proud of. He was e.bout to leave for B-alcmtha, a •place where he could iiot as yet claim any acquaintances and! if he was fortunate to meet with friends there suc.h as hit wiais parting from that night at Croydon he''Would consider himself extremely lucky. They could! 'all understand his feelings and he did not feel equal to making a. long speech. Mr 'Big&ar thanked them most sincerely for their present and said he would value it all the more highly representing as it did the i£oocl wishes of his old friends at Croydon.

'Cavdi-pkying was then indulged in and vocal item*, were renderc',. by Messrs«E. Stevens (Gore), Geo. Flett. J. D. Smith, H. Edwards. WilliJim Johnston and E. Bjggar. Mr Steveiw also presided at the piano and his efforts were much appreciated. Tlie gathering broke up with the singing of "Auldl Lang Syne" and "Will ye no come back again?"