WAIANAKARUA

Otago Witness, Issue 2630, 10 August 1904, Page 35

WAIANA KAR UA

Augu--i 3. — A farewell social was held at the "Waianakarua Schoolhouse oi. Tues-dty; evening in honour of Mr Robert Blali. who ia leaving the district after a residence of nearly 13 yeais to take up the rna=tersh.p of Wyllie'a Crossing .School. The schoolroom waa crowded with residents of the district and friends finm the neighboming distiicts. Mr James FundlfLy, chairman of th*> School Committee, presided, and the speakers were iho Chairman, Messrs Kicolson (member of Education Board), T. X. Patterson (of Hampdea High School), Jame3 Campboll, John Douglas, and the Rev. W. Niehol, each and ail of whom voiced the unanimous and cordial sentiments of the community towards the departing teacher. A meed of y/.raur v.-as also accorded to Mrs Blair and iarnily, who have* all-, by their genuine kindness, '.ecurerl a warm place in the esteem of all who knew them. Mr Nichol spoke specially of Mr Blair's loya! assistance in ail good work, h's services as superintendent of the local Sunday school, and his faithfulness as an elder m the church. A handsome presentation was made to Mr and Mrs Bla.ir of a silvei tea, set, vrxth. silver-mounted oak tray. etc.. and go'cl brooches weie presented to the Misses lilsiv. At an inteival tea and cake were hancleil round — the gift of the ladies. Son^s by Messrs Bell (of Moeraki School). Fleming (o£ Herbert Schoo.), and Robertson, a recitation by Miss Gibson, and some m\>sicai items by the Ha-mx^clen choir were lancii appreciated. Votes of thanks closed a, gathering that cannot fail to be a pleasant memoiy to lhe guests of the evening in their new sphere o£ life and work.