PRESENTATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2319, 11 August 1898, Page 34

PRESENTATIONS.

A social was held in the Woodside School, West Taieri, on the 2nd inst, when there was a largely representative gathering of the friends of Mr Fraser, who haa been 18 years head master of Woodside School, which portion be has recently resigned. Mr Fraser's fiifiids felt that Ihcy ■would like to have an opportuciry of expressing in some tangible foim ihe esteem in which he was held by them ; so, after songs from the school children, s.los from Mis Bramble and Miss Kirkland, a recitation from Mr Sayers, and tea and cake were served round, Mr Macpberson (who has been chairman of the fr'chool Committee during almost the whole term of Mr BVaser'a sojuurn at Woodside), presented the latter with si handsome easy chair and a p&ir of gold i pectscles. Mr Macpherfion tpoke in eulogistic teinis of Mr Fraser bs a teacher, a scholar, and a gentleman, ar>d tmphasieed the fact that his example and hightoned moral character would hr-ve a lasting effect for good upon tho3e pupils who bad come under his care. Mr Snow (member of the Education 80-.ni) also testified to Mr Frasei's worth as a scholar and gentleman, and deprecated the fact that some <f the high-classed teachers who had taken up-country schools as a start in life were often left to rust there—in fact, relegated to oblivion by tbe board. Ma».y such teachers in disguf t had left the service. Mr Mann also spoke highly of Mr Fr-^ser's work in Woodside. The Rev Mr Kiiklaud, on behalf of the West Taieri Church congregation, presented Mr Fraser ■with a ljeautif ully-lllurai.i»fce<l address. Mr Kiiklaud dwell on the association of Mr Fraser in the eldership of W»t T^ieri Church, extending over 16 years, and spoke feelingly of the blow felt by the cougregauou iv los - ng the b< rvics of an elder and cleik of sessions t,o upright and Chiistiaa as Mr Fra«er. Mr Ohisholm al^o addressed the meeting, referring to Mr Eraser's many good rervices in cMirch and school, and hn great moial worth to the community.

Mr Fraser replied iv feelingly suitable terms to all those kind expressions of goodwill towards him, and thanked ihpin for tbe valuable tokens. He said that his life and associations in tbe district could never be effaced from his memory while be lived.

Previous to this lh-3 many lacy fiiends of Mia JYflser met her at a social belrt in the Mission Hall, Woodside, where Mrs Fulton, on behalf of the ladies of the district, presented Mrs Fraser with a serviceable silver tea set. Mrs Fulton, in a fe.licitous spoecb, expressed their regret at partiDi* with Mm Fra^er, and wished her health and JiappineßS. in her new abode

Word was received (Rays tho Wyndham Farmer) that tho fino large residence at Ocean ,View JiornoHlcad, Olara, the properly of Mr Alfred Coster, and containing some nine rooms, was burned to the ground at an early hour on .Sunday morning. Practically nothing was saved. The houso was insured for £'100, and the furnitures for £100.

Our Invercargill correspondent tclo^raphs: " Considerable apprehension is felt in Mataura regarding the safety of Mr Jolm (Wilson (lato of Green Island), licensee of the Bridge Hotel, Mataura. It appears that on Saturday evening Mr "Wilson, after seeing his children off to bed about 7 o'clock, walked out of tho house, and has not beon seen sir.cc. It is feared tbat bo may bavo walked over the river embankment. Search parties have dragged the river during the past three days, hut no traoes of the missing man have beon found."-