FAREWELL SOCIAL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume 37, Issue 9607, 25 October 1907, Page 3

FAREWELL SOCIAL.

On Wednesday evening the brethren of tbe Loyal Naseby Lodge tendered Mr James Kirby, their permanent secretary, a farewell social on the eve of his departure for Titnaru The admission tickets were distributed only among members of the lodge and its associated Medical Aid Club. There was a very large attendance, Wedlerburn, Upper Kycburn, Lower Kyeburn, and Waipiata being represented, which shows the respect in which Mr Kirby is held by tbe members of the order, . Apologies for absence, accompanied by good wishes for Mr and Mrs Kir by's future welfare, were received from tbe Provincial Grand Master (Bro D 8 Munro), from the Provincial Corresponding Secretary, Bro J H Hopcraft (on behalf of the District Executive) P G's Bro H Willis, James Hore, Bros C J Inder, J James, J Crutchley and Rev J R Hewland, After several hours dancing, P O Bro Murphy said it was with very great regret that it came to their knowledge that Bro Kirby intended severing his connection with them as a leading official. Twenty-three years ago be bad the pleasure of introducing him to tbe lodge and instructing him in the teachings of their order. After the first few years of membership their guest took more than an active part in tbe affairs of the lodge. Something over lo years ago they bad occasion to find a new permanent secretary, and their choice fell on Bro Kirby. It could not have fallen on a better nan. Not one hitch had occurred during all the years be had carried out the duties of the office. That was not exactly a farewell gathering as their guest would have to come back to complete his work at the end of the year, but the lodge felt it could not let him go without some token of appreciation of tbe manner in which he bad carried out his duties Bro Kirby bad also fulfilled the teaching of the lodge to visit the sick ard comfort the bereaved, and in this he was ably assisted by bis wife. Tbe lodge asked his acceptance of a silver hoi water kettle and silver flower stand in token of the Tespect and esteem in which be waß held. Tbey bore the iuscription : Presented to Permanent Secretary Br,. James Kirby by tbe Loyal Naseby Lodge on the occasion of bis leaving Naseby. 23/10/07 The speaker concluded by expressing the wood wishes of the lodge for the future welfare of Mr and Mrs Kirby and family. Mr Malcolm, on behalf of the Medical Aid Club, spoke a few words of regret at the loss of Mr Kirby. For the last 16 or 17 years be had been privileged to have the friendship of Mr Kirby. He dad been associated with him in various matters—some in connection with sport, some with church, some witn temperance and perhaps a little :n politics. All through those years he found him a really good, true fellow—a friend who would back him up if he thought be was doing right, and who would quietly tell him if he thought he was doing wrong. He was a staunch friend in the highest sense. He was pleased to see such a gathering assembled to do Mr Kirby honor. He thought that it was to Naseby born and bred that Naseby should do honor and not simply to those who had been here for a year or two. Those who had lived here for the greater part of their lives and had beeu a credit to themselves, tbeir parents and tbe town should receive the approbation ot the residents. As secretary of the school committee, Mr Kirby had carried his wonder ful tact into the work. As an organising secretary Mr Kirby f as far as he knew, was second to none in New Zealand. He thanked him particularly for what he bad done on the school committee. | P G Bro Jones, on behalf of the trustees of [ the jLoyal Naseby Lodge, paid a tribute of praise to Mr Kin y's work as secretary. Tbe ! trustees had at times a good deal of business j lo transact, and they bad found the assistance of the secretary invaluable. When | there was anything to be done he was al ways there. Dr Macknigbt bad been associated with Mr Kirby in several different ways. Ae chairman q£ the Hospital Trustees Air Kuby'o actions had given the staff every possible assistance. In the matter of instruments ,v;r Kirby with tbe consent of his cotrustees had given him almost a free hand in purchasing efficient ones, They had aiso been connected in the Fanciers' Club work, and they did not know tiow they were going to get uti i without him as secretary. He had bten brought into association with their gucot also in bi« capacity of secretary ot the Ou ifcllows Lodgeof which tit (Or >3ackrigbt)wws medical officer. Thutecreiacy had a great deal of power in making the woik oi the iiuctor pleasant or otherwise. Mr Kirby had i>een

most courteous and kind. There never had been the slightest trouble over anything in connection with the lodge or the Medical Aid Club, and that was largely due to his sense of right and his kindly spirit, Bro Kirby, in reply, returned thanks for the kindly remarks made. He said he thought every man should belong to some friendly society, for in times of illness there was fome provision to "meet it. In referring to the reconstruction of the. lodge some years ago he said that 12 of the old members joined t.he newly constructed lodge and 11 new ones wbicb gave a total of 23. The 12 old members were still good on the books, and of the 11 new ones they had eisrht. Two had died—P G Bro Donnelly and Bro Burns, and one bad been raised to the rank of magistrate and had left the district. On the medical club list at that time there were two 'members. At present there were 118 members of the lodge and 47 on the Medical Club's list, giving a total of 165 Of the twelve old members Bro J Lory joined 39 years, ago and Bros Stewart and Marshall 38. The connection of other members extended back 28 years and upwards. At the time the books were passed over to him their funds amounied to £689, now they atood at £l6ll, an increase of £922. During bis term of office they had distributed £1250 as benefits. One man bad received over £4OO, not altogether since the reconstruction of the lodge. It had been his endeavour to look after the interests of the lodge. Nearly the whole of the positions he held bad been placed in his bands. He bad not sought to occupy them. He thanked the public b> dies for the positions tbey bad placed him in during the years he had taken part in pub:ic life. He thanked the members of the lodge for their gifts, which tbey would always cherish, and also the committee for arranging the gathering. He also expressed his gratitude to the surgeon and trustees for the consideration they ba'i always shown him The articles presented are very pretty. They were supplied by Mr W. Strong. P.G. Bro. M'K Marshall • acted as M.C., and Messrs J and H Tait, A 'and Chas Douglas, Mieß Thompson, Miss Dcy, Miss Dawson and Miss Douglas supplied the music.

Songs were given by Miss Dey, Mrs P Brown, and Messrs S Uren, A Bail, and R Paisley, the accompaniments being played by Miss Thompson, Miss Monk and filiss Dey.