VALEDICTORY

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2309, 30 November 1925, Page 10

VALEDICTORY

RANGIOT’U'S PABEWELL TO MR. MRS, SIMPSON. Ono of tho largest functions ever held in the district 'took place on Friday, night when tjie residents of Hanglotu and surrounding districts gave a valedictory social and dance to Mr and Mrs T. H. Simpson, who have gone to Palmerston North to live and have been in the district for about half a century. Tho esteem In which the guests are held may be imagined when somewhere In tho vicinity of four hundred people young and old rolled up to say ‘Au revolr’, to their admired guests. The tastefully decorated hall rellectod great credit on Mr E. G. Beard, who was in charge of this part of the function. The evening was opened by Mr H. Bond who briefly referred to tho passing of the Queen Mother and moved a motion of condolence to our Sovereign. This was carried by all present standing in silence. Mr Bond then announced that apologles had boon sent from tho following former residents of tho district:—Mrs Marsh and Messrs G. Kendall and J. Lucas . Dancing was kept up till one o'clock to excellent music supplied by Larkin’s Jazz. Band. Messrs H. Simmons and J. Ferguson acted as M’s.G. During tho evening Mr Simmons took the opportunity to present to the guests an Illuminated address and cheque. In doing so ho referred to the genuine hearts of Mr and Mrs Simpson and thanked them on behalf of the district as a whole, for the good work done and the Interest they had taken in all public matters. Ho said they were the pioneers of the district. Mr Simpson had been prime mover of tho building of the local hall, had boon a member of the School committee for twenty ono years and was a member of the Presbyterian church over since it was built. Tho speaker related many trying experiences of tho early days with floods and olay roads and then called on Manawarou, Te Awe Awe who spoke In his native language and had Mr R. Oarbeck of Levin to translate it Into English. H The chief said he endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker and was very pleased to say that tho name ‘Simpson’ had been a household woul over since he remembered anything. On behalf of tho natives of tho district ho extended the very best wishes for a long and enjoyable time to come and called on Mr .1. A. Nash M.P., who had been a schoolmate of Mr Simpson. Mr Nash said he wished to go a little further back in history than Mr Simmons and would be pleased to pay a tribute to Mrs Simpson sonr. who was present, on tho stage. Ho said he would go back some forty three years and was quite sure as he was speaking from experience, that though he had been chastised many a time when he was a boy by tho old lady there was not a more loving mother on the face of God's earth than "Mother” Simpson.

Mr L. J. Walker, on behalf of tho school chldrcn, thanked Mr and Mrs Simpson for the many kindnesses they had shown during his terra of office hero and asked the children to draw a picture from that evening. In tho life of their guests "of the value of a good name.” He was sorry they were going away but was sure that their good influence was only being transferred to a wider sphere. He said that, the pupils of the school felt that they had lost real friends when Mr and Mrs Simpson loft the district. In concluding he called upon two tiny tots to present each of the guests with a large box of chocolates bought by the school children. Mr H. H. Simmons then called upon Mr Walker to read the following address: — Mr and Mrs T. H. Simpson, Rangiotu, Manawatu, 27th. Nov., 1825. Dear Friends, We, on behalf of tho residents and children of tho Rangiotu district, cannot allow you to depart without lotting you know the esteem in which you are hold and without some tangible recognition of the high place you have won in our regard. Tou came to Rangiotu over fifty years ago and can claim to be amongst its oldest and best pioneers. You have taken a responsible and worthy share in brinlging the district from its original wild and uncultivated state Into its present flourishing condition. Moreover, you have in all your battling to. make a success of your own work, not been .self-centred. You have had thoughts for and interests in your neighbours. How often in flood time have you lent a willing hand Jn saving other people’s stock, and in many ways given practical help and advice when most needed by those struggling to make headway.

You have not selfishly left it to others to do the necessary public work but have readily and cheerfully borne your share. We recall that you Tvere for 21 years a member of the school committee. You were one of the founders, of the public hall and its chairman for many, years. You were a Director for several years of the Rangiotu Dairy Company. In you, the Presbyterian Church had a staunch supporter who acted on the management committee for many years. You w-ere prominently associated In the movement which resulted in better postal facilities. During the war period, too, you took a very active part in ail patriotic efforts in our district. In all these positions, your efforts brought not only benefit to others, but credit to yourself also. In looking back over this long, period, it is almost impossible to realize all it has meant to you both, the self denial, the hard graft, the care and anxiety, and the upbringing of a family, and you have won through in the face of difficulty, hard times, danger and trouble, into the i serenity of well deserved success. And! now, in the Providence of God, you have reached the time -when a wellearned .rest is due. Though loth to part from you, we are proud to do honour to worthy pioneers such as you have poved yourselves to be. May God richly bless you and . your fam-

ily and give you many years of. unclouded happiness. Wo are, Your sincere friends and well-wishers • —Manawaroa Te Awe Awe, Taltdho Alatai, Paanga Kawana, H. Bond, vjmtnoiw Bros., J. Ferguson, Ernest G. Beard, Donaldson Bros., L, J, Walker, I. D. 8. Cookaley, W. H. Glmblett, E. L. Russell, E. M. Barnes, V. Lover, F. R. Waller, A. BrookTaylor, D. Gifford-Moore, A. T. Bailey, C. W. Alvo, H. Wilson, S. L. Corlett, D. Tennant, A. C. Wilton. The address was beautifully, illuminated by Mr Q. H. Elliott, A.M., of Palmerston North, with charming water colours of the places with which Mr and Mrs Simpson had been so prominently associated. When tho reading was concluded the rousing cheers and hearty singing of "For They are Jolly Good Follows”, bore ample testimony to tho genuine feelings which accompanied it.