SEND-OFF AT BALLANCE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5363, 22 February 1916, Page 5

SEND-OFF AT BALLANCE.

TWO SETTLERS HONOURED

(Front Our Own Correspondent). Thought perforce somewhat hastily arranged the complimentary social tendered to Mr Dodson and Mr and Mrs Hirst on Friday evening passed off very successfully. The night was beautifully moonlight arid fairly cool, and the • Ballance Hall. where the function was held, was very fairly filled with friends and visitors. As usual at these gatherings dancing was the order otf the evening to music supplied by Mr Phillips, of Ruawhata, and Mr Tunnicliffe made an efficient M.C. Messrs L. E. Hill and E. J. Stevens varied the proceedings by rendering some much appreciated songs.

Prior to the supper interval Mr W. B. Oroad made feeling reference to the cause of the gathering— to bid farewell to Mr Dodson and Mr and Mrs Hirst. He referred in appreciative terms to the good feeling which had always existed between the guests and their neighburs. Personally he could not desire a. better neighbour than Mr Hirst had proved himself durmg the five years he had resided in the district. Mr Dodson had been a resident of Ballance as well as of Mangahao, and had always Wen much esteemed and respected, while hi.s daughter (Mrs Hirst) had also earned the goodwill of all with whom she had come in contact. Air Croad asked their guests’ acceptance of some small tokens of the esteem in which they were held, together with the good wishes of all for their future happiness and prosperity in their new home. On behalf of the settlers of Ballance and Mangahao. he presented to Mr Dm Ison a pipe and tobacco pouch, to Airs Hirst, a gold brooch set with pearls, and to Air Hirst a silvermounted hunting crop and spurs. Mr Hirst .on behalf of his wife and himself. suitably returned thanks and extended o hearty welcome to all friends in his new home in Auckland, and humorously remarked that the “billy would be W>iling even if they themselves should Ik- out.” Afr Dodson .in a speech full of feeling, also thanked his friends and neighbours for their kind wishes and gifts. He stated that lie should always have kindly memories of Ballance, and trusted that they might all be spared to meet their friends again . The company heartily expressed their goodwill by the singing of the usual chorus. “For they are jolly good follows.”