COLLINGWOOD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 13 September 1937, Page 3

COLLINGWOOD

RESIDENTS FAREWELLED MR AND MRS A. 11. FLETCHER Mr and Mrs A. 11. Fletcher, who have been connected with the many activities of the Collingwood district for a great number of years, left, this week for Hasting, where they will spend a few weeks’ holiday with Dr, and Mrs Cashmorc before finally settling down in the VVairarapa district. Prior to their departure, they were tended a public farewell in the Collingwood Hall, settluers coming from all parts of Hie two counties to bid them farewell. The function look the form of a dance, interspersed with musical and elocutionary items.

Mr S. H. Marsh, the new member for the Puponga riding said he had a great admiration for Mr and Mrs Flccfher. ’I he former had represented Puponga for 27 years and had been a most sincere and conscientious councillor. The presence of such a great crowd showed I hat he (Mr Fletcher) had carried out his duties with credit to himself and the people he had represented. Mr Hugh Manson, member of the Golden Bay Power Board and president of the A. and P. Association, expressed the regret of the Takaka people at losing Mr and Mrs Flechler. It was largely due to Mr Fletcher that Collingwood would shortly have electric power and light. Mr W. Solly, an ex-councillor, endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. Mr Fletcher had been one of the best Rugby forwards in the district until lie married and turned to the more serious things of life. He joined with the others in extending good wishes to Mr and Mrs Fletcher.

Mr J. G. Page (Takaka) said Mr Fletcher had proved upright and straightforward in every way and ever ready to do something for the district. Mr F. W. Tyree, representing the Collingwood Returned Soldiers’ Association, said Mr and Mrs Fletcher had pioneered the raising of funds for the returned men of the district and eventually Mr Fletcher had been elected Collingwood representative on the Nelson Sick and Wounded Soldiers’ Board.

Mr L. Flowers. County paid a tribute to Mr Fletcher, who had great qualifications as a farmer and member of local bodies. He had been member for the Puponga Riding since 1910 and had made such a success of his job that he was undefeated at every election, being elected on 19 occasions. When they lost their clerk (the late Mr C. H. Curnow), Mr Fletcher had supported him in urging that Mr D. Polglase, a young man of their own district, be appointed, and he had proved a capable and conscientious clerk of whom they were all proud. Dr. W. B. Andrew, on behalf of the residents of Collingwood and surrounding districts, said that, although a comparative newcomer, he had known Mr Fletcher long enough to realise that the remarks of the other speakers came from their hearts and that the district had been extremely lucky to have had the able services of Mr and Mrs Fletcher for so many years. In asking Mr and Mrs Fletcher to accept a silver entree dish suitably engraved and a substantial cheque, Dr. Andrew said the

I people of the district would like the ; j money to be used in purchasing two j easy chairs for their new home and j ; hoped these would ever remind them of the many friends they had left behind in the Collingwood district. Musical honours followed.

Mr Fletcher received a rousing reception on rising to respond. He confessed that he felt embarrassed at the large attendance, the kind words spoken and the presentation made to him and Mrs Flefcher. Referring to his advocacy of electricity for the district, Mr Fletcher said the people of Collingwood would quickly realise the immense benefits especially the farmers and housewives whose homes would be brought up lo rlate and made more convenient. When the Cobb scheme was completed he hoped the people would stand up to it and take up the power, for every district that had done so had shown great development. He had come in contact with many excellent men on local bodies and he had gained a lot of happiness in his association with them. He would always be interested in the future of Collingwood, and with mining and farming the district should go ahead. Mr Fletcher concluded by wishing the Collingwood people every happiness and prosperity. Mr and Mrs A. 11. Fletcher are spending a few days in Nelson prior to leaving for the North Island.