WAIKATO PRESENTATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16265, 26 June 1916, Page 7

WAIKATO PRESENTATIONS.

POPULAR FARMER RETIRING. [by TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.!! Hamilton, Sunday. A farewell gathering was tendered to Mr. Joseph Barugh, who, for th© last 10 years has resided at Rototuna, having disposed of his farm, has decided to relinquish active farming and to take up his residence in Hamilton. • Despite th©. boisterous weather there was a large attendance. Mr. A. E. Messen presided. A capital programme of musical items was rendered, and several eulogistic speeches made. Mr. W. E. Thomas, on behalf of th© settlers, presented Mr. Barugh with a handsomely-framed illuminated address, and in doing so referred to the great ser- ! vices rendered by Mr. Barugh to the Waikato settlers generally as chairman of the farmers Freezings Company, the farmers Co-operative Auctioneering Com?u y ' V th ?- Waik Farmers' Club, and other bodies. Mention was made of the fact that Mr. Barugh had always been willing to assist his neighbours, both practically and with advice. Mr. Barugh in replying, alluded to the great strides .Rototuna had made during the past decad©. There were now five or six settlers on the area of flax swamp land he originally took up, and in another few months four additional families would take up their residence upon it. He compared Waikato now with what it was 30 years ago, and referred to the great hardships the pioneers of settlement had to contend with, when heavy prime bullocks were purchasable at 15s, sheep 3s 6d each, and milk 2£d a gallon. Mr. Lings, who has been Mr. Barugh's right-hand man, but who is now about to start on his own account, was presented with a case of pipes as a memento from the Rototuna settlers, who assured the recipient that he would be greatly missed. Major Reid, who organised th© Hamilton branch of the National Reserve, and of which he has since had th© command, but has now resigned, was entertained by the members at a smoke concert. Mr. C. L. MacDiarmid presided, and a pleasant evening was spent, various members contributing musical items. Th© chairman asked the guest of the evening to accept a cheque as a mark of appreciation for his services to the branch. Major Reid, in accepting, tendered members some good counsel. Advantage was taken by th© gathering to present Sergeant Storey, who is. about to go into camp, with a fountainpen as a memento from' the branch. Mr. T. M. Simpson, who, for a number of years, has been choirmaster at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, is about to remove to Ngaruawahia. Before his departure he was presented with a handsome secretaire by the members of the choir in recognition of his services.