HEDDON BUSH

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 35

HEDDON BUSH

March 13. — At the-- 1 recent farewell social to Mr and Mrs Dawson, a written address from their fellow settlers was read. The address has since been beautifully illuminated and framed by Mr Wm. Smith, printer, of Invercargill, who deserves special mention for the artistic finish of this work.

Political. — Mr J. C. Thomson, M.H.E.. dehveTed" a pre-sessional address to a well-at-tended meeting in the public hall on the Ist mst. Mr G. M. Hassing was voted to the chair. Mr Thomson, who, upon rising, was greeted with applause, spoke for nearly two hours, reviewing the most important measures passed during the two preceding sessions of Parliament. He ably criticised the extravagance of the present Administration, and urged upon his audience the necessity for economical reform. The address throughout was a masterly display of elocution, and was listened to in rapt attention, bioken only by occasional outbursts of applause. At the close of th& address, a motion ot thanks and unabated confidence, proposed by Mr A. C. Cochrane, and seconded by Mr Wm. Watson, was carried unanimously. In acknowledging the compliment paid him, Mr Thomson announced himself as a candidate for re-election to the next Parliament. A vote of thanks in the chair closed the meeting. Valedictory. — A very pleasing event took p-lace at the closing of the school for the harvest lifilidays, when Missi Isa Catto, one of the Sixth Standard pupils, on behalf of the children attending the school, read the following address to the mistress, Miss M. Brennan, who is leaving the school owing to the reduced attendance: — JJear Miss Brennan, — As you are about to sever your connection with the school, we take this opportunity to express the esteem and affection with which we all regard you. Your kindness and attention have endeared you to all of us, and we sinoerely regret to part with you ; but you may rest assured that we shall always remember you wiLu gratitude as an able mistress and a kind friend. We hoped to have had the pleasure of presenting you with a token of our regard before your departure from amongst us; but the harvest holidays taking place earlier than we anticipated prevents our doing so. We shall, however, forward our little present to you as soon as it arrives. Kindly accept our love and best wishes, and may health and happiness attend you wherever you go." (Signed by all the children.) Tho Head Teacher Hassing) also added his testimony of Miss Brennan' s worth to that of the children. Miss Brennan, who was quite overcome by this mark of affection, made a very feeling and appropriate reply.