PATEAROA

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 37

PATEAROA

June 13 — On the evening of The 19th ult. a party of loca* residents paid a surpuse visit to Patearoa Station, as also did a party from Lmnburn Station. Both r-arties wer evarnily welcomed by Mr John Greive, the overseer, and Mr D. ar.d Mrs West at once placed the large drawing room at the disposal of their unexpected guests. Euchre i>aihes were formed, and a very pleasant hour was spent, bem^ interspersed with songs and recitations. The songe rendered by the Missoci West and Messrs J. Johnston, J. M'Dowell, J. M'Lean, R. Crosbie, and W. West proved to be exceptionally good, and encores vera consequently frequent. About 10 o'clock an adjournment was'mscle to the dining room, where a sumptuous supper had been prepared by Mrs West, and the hearty way in which it was partaken of spoke volumes for the '■ bill, of fare." Ample justice havrrsg been done to the supper, the visitors again adjourned to the drawing room, when the principle business of the evening was soon gone into, this being the presenting of several small tokens of kindly regard. As is generally known, Patearoa Run has been cvit up for settlement ; hence the employees are ail leaving' the district, and advantage was taken of the departure of Mr and Mrs West and family to present each of the employees with a token, which fell far short of the esteeni in which they are all held in the district. Mr M'Skixnming proposed +he health of Mr and Mrs West, which was drunk with musical honours. He feelingly commented on the many good qualities possessed by Mr and Mrs West, and then presented Mr West with a handsome silver-mounted pipe. Mr West, in replying, said he was no speaker, and he hardly knew how to express his thanks for the handsome pipe just given him. He assured all present it would always be a pleasing memory of the happy d?ys he had spent at Patearoa, and concluded by thanking all present for the hearty manner m which they had drunk his and Mrs West's health. Mr Owen Cambridge then proposed the health of Mr John Greive (overseer), which was also drunk with musical honours. He then presented Mr Greive with a very handsome case of silver-mounted pipes, and also a. handsome silver-mounted pipe for Mr Win. Mibie, and a beautiful silver-mmuited walking-stick (suitably inscribed) for Mr Win. Glass, both of whom were unavoidably absent. Their healths were heartily drunk in the toast of " Absent Friends." Mr Cambridge, in making the presentations, said that Mr Greive, Mr Milne, and Mt Glass had been long and favourably known in the district, and especially in local sporting circles. Anything that pertained to the good of the district and of Patearoa in particular had evei had their united sympathies, which latter were always of a very practical? kind, and always extended to their trousers' pockets. Their sportsmanlike, quiet, and unassuming manners had won them, heaps of friends, and everyone was extremely sorry at their early departure from the district, for three more genuinely good fellows and good sports than Jack Greive, Bill Milne, and Bill Glass were not to be found in any district. Mr Greive, in replying, said all present knew that he was no ppeaker, but he knew that the good fellows ai'ound him that night would accept the " will for the deed." and, on behaM of Mr Milne, Mr Glass, and himself, he thanked them most heartily for the very handsome presents they had given them that evening. In conclusion, he said it had always been a pleasure for him to meet privately and socially with the Patearoa, people, a-nd he sincerely hoped that wherever his lot might be cast he would meet and mingle with such as they were. After several other toasts had been honoured, all joined hands in singing Aultl iang syne," and wishing their departing friends a happy and prosperous walk in life.