Presentation Social at Oreti Plains.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 211, 18 May 1909, Page 3

Presentation Social at Oreti Plains.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) On the evening of Friday last, a large gathering of settlers assembled in the Oreti school houso to tender a social and present ati n to Mr W. G. Cosfcer, who recently sold his farm, and removed from the dia'a.cL. Ample provision for carrying out the social [-successfully had been provided by the managing coramittpp, whilst rrfra-.li-menis o£ the choieysL w> re supplied by the ladies. Mr G. M. Hassing occupied the ch;dr, and in a happy opening iUdresi stated the object of the social, and introduced the various performers. An j excellent programme of musical items was given, in which every selection met with enthusiastic applause, and an encore insisted upon. The feature of the occasion was the presentation to Mr W. G. Cosfcer of a well-filled purse of sovereigns as a recognition of his taithful and untiring devotion to the d'strict. Mr John Cowie, in making the presentation , happily expressed the high appreciation in which Mr Coster is held as a settler, a neighbour and a friend ; ' and appropriately referred to his energetic and continent service given gratuitouoly for eighteen years as secretary to the school committee. In closing a mo?t suitable and appreciative address, Mr Cowia, on behalf of all, wished the recipient, his wife and family health, prosperity and happiness in their new home. That tnis wish was fuiiy endorsed by the assemblage was evidenced by the liKttniness of the applause with musical accompaniment and three ringing cheers. Mr Coster, who was quite owrconae by tho sp'mtannous laauita -fation of hear&y goodwill, refV;m'd to his past work in connection with the school a * a labour of love. He declared that j the success achieved by commit- { tees in the past was principally due to the untiring devotion of a gentleman now departed, namely, | the late Mr Robt. Watson, who | had for many years capably filled the position of chairman, and also to the whole-hearted assistance of Messrs J. Murdoch, S. Woods and others. He highly valued the feeling of sincere friendship that had brought them together that evening, and thanked them for the splendid token of esteem which he accepted with pride and gratitude ; , but more than all that did he value the high opinion so nicely expressed by the c airman, and endorsed by Mr Cowie. The social was characterised by the heartiest' good feeling, and everything went with the proverbial " hum." Those who contributed to the; musical programme of this highly appreciated social evening Nvere : Mrs J. Findlay, Messrs W. Murdoch, J. Findiay, A. Mclntosh, A. Murdoch, and C. Murdoch. Miss E. Cowie, whose reputation as an accomplished musician is so favourably known, accompanied the various singers. A hearty vote of thanks was, on the motion of the chairman, passed to the ladies' committee, the singers, and all who had assisted in making the evening's social such an unqualified success. A cordial vote of thanks to the chair, and the singing of " Auld Lang Syne " by the whole assemblage brought to a close a social marked by genuine, harmony and real good fellowship.