POHANGINA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 81, 4 March 1935, Page 9

POHANGINA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) POHANINA, March 3. Testimony of the ' esteem in which Mr and Mrs J. Stuart aro held in the Valley was shown in tho very largo gathering at tho Pohangina Hall, on Friday night, when tho settlors attended a farewell social and danoe in their honour. Mrs Stuart, who has been solo teacher at tho Pohangina School for the past five years, retired from the teaching profession this week and she and Mr Stuart leave shortly to make their homo at Tangimoana. The evening passed pleasantly with a programme of modern and old-time dancing, interspersed with vocal items by Misses V. Stanton and B. Blixt and Messrs A. Balmcr and A. Roberts, all of whom were warmly received. Mr A. Balmcr, chairman of tho School Committee, in voicing the sentiments of tho gathering, spoke of tho regret felt at the departure of Mr and Mrs Stuart. Ho referred to the valuable assistance they had always given in all social actvitics, and as teacher of tho ■ school Mrs Stuart’s first interest was for the good of her pupils. As a member of the School Ccmmittco ho knew the value of her wort and it had been a pleasure to the committeo to work with nor. Mrs Stuart was retiring at a time when her work among tho pupils would bo most missed, in what was probably tho most successful year yet recorded in tho annals of school successes. Her retirement was a great loss to the district botli in social and school activities. To Mr Stuart also for his fatherly interest in tho children parents owed a debt of gratitude. All present _ wished them good health and every happiness in their retirement, and on behalf of the residents Mr Balmcr asked the guests of honour to accept an easy chair and a rug as tokens of appreciation. Miss C. Balmcr, president of the Pohangina Women’s Institute, referred to Mr and Mrs Stuart’s work for that organisation. Mrs Stuart was really tho founder of the branch, having convened the first meeting and arranged for speakers and demonstrators to attend. Although school duties had prevented her from attending regularly, she had rendered valuable service as a member of tho committee. The institute also owed much to Mr Stuart for his unfailing help in all institute matters. Miss Balmcr ask cd Mr and Mrs Stuart to accept an easy chair to match that already presented, and Mrs Stuart was also presented with an institute spoon. Mr Stuart, in replying, said it was comforting to himself and Mrs Stuart to seo so many friends gathered together to bid them farewell. They liad spent five happy years in Pohangina and felt a warm attachment for the people here. Ail. lie said, would find a sincere welcome if they would visit them at any time in their new homo at Tangimoana. Mrs Stuart also returned thanks and wished tho Pohangina Institute success in the years to come feho wouln follow their activities with keen interest and hoped to remain a member of the institute. Music for dancing was supplied by a professional orchestra, Mr C. Meads contributing extras, while Mr D. McLean, of Waituna West, played a bagpipe selection and a waltz! Mr J. Calvin was M.C. On the Tuesday afternoon prior to this gathering tho pupils of the school arranged a pleasant afternoon at tho school in honour of their teacher, Mrs Stuart, who was taken by surprise. The parents were also present and provided afternoon tea, which was served by the children. Maureen Adams one of tho senior pupils, on behalf of tho scholars presented Mrs Stuart with a beautiful ornamental vase and crystal sweet dish.