FAREWELL GATHERING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 177, 27 June 1936, Page 11

FAREWELL GATHERING.

PRESENTATION TO MRS S. V. , j TRASK. Honoured for her splendid social activities over a long period in the city, and for her pleasing personality, Mrs S. V. Trask, who leaves on July 15 on an extended visit to England, j was the guest at a pleasant function yesterday afternoon, when seventy of her friends assembled at afternoon tea in the Rosco tearooms to make her a l presentation. ' Mr J. A. Nash presided, and read apologies for absence from the Mayor* and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs A. E. Mansford), Mrs M. Aitchison, Mrs Bett. Mr and Mrs Heaphy, Mr and Mrs L. H. Collinson, and Mr and Mrs L. A. Abraham (who forwarded a message of farewell). The chairman also read a letter from the Mayor and Mayoress who were absent in Wellington, paying a warm tribute to Mrs Tresk's services and ready assistance in all appeals, particularly those for the Central Relief Fund and the Mayor's Christmas Fund. They wished Mrs Trask a very enjoyable trip. The chairman said they were met to do honour and to express their thanks to one of the finest women who had ever lived in Palmerston North. She had taken an important part in social activities. Ever since her arrival in I this centre 27 vears ago Mrs Trask had been identified with all community !,movements, and had been tireless in her efforts. She was going to Eng-. land for a period on a mission to nurse a s'ck relative, whose health, it .was hoped, would soon be restored ' again bv Mrs Trask's charming ways and genial manner. Mrs Trask had done remarkablv fine work durinsr the war period, and had brought happiness to many, being a prominent figure in I the organisation of concerts and '">- ! zaars. She had done a great deal ! since for the Central Relief and District Nursing Committees, the value of her services being appreciated by all. Thev wished to thank her very warmIv and-express their goodwill. Mrs i Trask would always he kindly remembered and Palmerston North would he pleased to welcome lier back when she returned from England. . Adding his good wishes, Colonel J. H. Whyte stated that if any wonan deserved recognition for her services ! during the war period it was Mrs ! Trask. No cause had been too thankless for her to undertake for the communitv's welfare, and she had done j more for Palmerston North than any- ! one else the speaker knew. I Foremost among those who had ren'dered yeoman service to the city was I Mrs Trask, said Mr Graham. Not only I had she been indefatigable in her et- ! forts to collect relief funds, but very active in many other forms of social activity. Her charm of manner and gracious personality had won her a host of friends. Frequentlv her good work had been unknown to the general public and her friends, but known only to herself. She had a deeplv compassionate nature, and the loss ot her services would be felt by many institutions in Palmerston Aortli. It had been felt that she could not be allowed to depart without an opportunity being given to express the universal esteem in which she was held. ; i Mr Graham then asked Mrs trask s acceptance, with the most affectionate I sentiments of her friends, of a passport : bacr and a handsome cheque, wishing her l>on vovage on their behalf. I Responding on behalf of Mrs Trask, Mr C. N. Rabone thanked all concerned for the very kindly sentiments expressed and the praise given her work. Mrs Trask. however, considered that it I would have' been impossible to have imvrierl outlier social activities without 1 the loyal support of her friends. She

had a deep sense of gratitude for the present function, and would he glad to renew all her old friendships when j she returned to New Zealand from the j United Kingdom to take up her residence with her daughter in Wellington. Afternoon tea was partaken of at pleasingly decorated tables.