VALEDICTORIES AT RAWENE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11162, 7 September 1899, Page 6

VALEDICTORIES AT RAWENE.

OUR Hokianga correspondent writes:—lt is with regret that we chronicle two departures from our midst, the first being Mr. R. K. Menzies, Government Road Surveyor, who has recently been transferred to the new station at Dargaville. By way of a send off. a social was held in the County Hall. Rawene. The gathering was large and representative, both Mongonui and Bay Counties being to the fore. Many apologies were received from all parts of the district, including one irom the county chairman. Various speakers testified in feeling terms to the loss sustained by Mr. and Mrs. Menzies' departure from the home which had known them so long. As showing the strides made in matters educational since their advent to the northwestern part of Auckland province, the Senior Wrangler of the Rawene School, in presenting an address from the old associates, alluded to the melodious bell in vogue at the time of Mr. Menzies' admittance. which appears to have been none other than a kerosene tin, deftly handled. Mr. Menzies being a keen athlete, and energetic member of the Oddfellows, and Mrs. Menzies an active organiser in social affairs, their removal causes a breach hard to fill. We wish them health in their new abode. The following week a second social was tendered Constable McGilp and family. This course of farewell was adopted owing to the j much desired presentation for services renI dered in connection with the late native rising at Waima being disallowed. At the i banquet, several of those who it is presumed I ought to know, alluded to the fact that had notice been taken by the authorities of Constable McGilp's reports and suggestions, tile disaffection amongst the natives would have been nipped in the bud before it assumed such a serious phase. The illumined address signed by the justices and residents throughout this large county, expressing the urbanitv and promptness which had characterised the execution of police and clerk of court duties, showed in a marked degree how widespread the feelings of goodwill existed. May thev continue to prosper in Cambridge. Constable F. A. Moore, who is now in charge of this station, should, from his varied colonial experiences, prove an efficient officer I regret to learn that Mrs. Cockroft, so long and favourably known as the teacher of the Omanaia Native School, has, through ill health, been obliged to apply for six months' leave of absence. I sincerely trust that her Vl mi South will prove beneficial. The kowhai and peach blossoms evidence the early approach of spring.