VALEDICTORY SOCIAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19892, 21 March 1939, Page 16

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL

MURIWAI FAREWELL MR. AND MRS. R. K. ROSS POPULAR RESIDENTS (Herald Correspondent.) The beautifully decorated Muriwai Hall could not accommodate all the people who attended a valedictory social tendered on Saturday evening to Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Ross, who are leaving the district after 15 years' residence. ■ (Mr. Ross has taken an active part in the affairs of the district. He was first a member of the school committee 12 years ago, later serving for six vears as secretary or as chairman. During this last year he has given his services again. Member £.ud committeeman of the old Muriwai Sports Club as long as it was in existence, Mr. Ross also found time to act as secretary of the Muriwai Cricket Club when it first started, and was a member of the football club. Mrs. Ross has given her support to all social affairs in the district, her willing help and genial disposition endearing her to all. To greet Mr. and Mrs. Ross at the social and to bid them farewell a large number of the Maori residents of Muriwai performed the action song "Powhiri," after which followed two hakas led by Mr. Paratene Te Hau and given with all the verve and abandon of the ancient Maori. Other items presented were pleasing duets by Miss Sarah Pohatu and Miss Charlotte Karepa, tin whistle solos by Mr W. Rangi, and action songs, "'Na Te Aroha" and "Te Reo," by a large group of the young men and ladies led by Mrs. W. Rangi. Solos by Misses Sarah Pohatu, Ivy Babbington and Charlotte Karepa and two brackets of songs by the school choir also were rendered. All the items were very well received. Long-Established Friendship Speaking on .behalf of the native residents of the district, Mr. Kahu Te 'Hau regretted the parting of the ways. To most of the assembly it was not good-bye to Mr. and Mrs. Ross for all hoped that the longestablished friendship would be maintained and it was gratifying to know that they Would be returning to Muriwai periodically. One of the action songs performed was a canoe song and recalling this to the audience, the speaker asked that Mr. and Mrs. Ross continue to paddle their canoe through life as they had done. Underlying the gaiety of the evening were suppressed feelings of regret at their departure, tout there were new avenues to explore and new spheres to enter, and to this new world, Mr. Ross, a man undefeated in his principles, carried heartiest wishes for success. Thanks to the organisers of the function, were offered by Mr. C. H. 'Williams, who spoke on behalf of the residents of the district, for the opportunity of publicly expressing to Mr. and Mrs. Ross regret at their .. departure. He had learnt to respect Mr. 'Ross as a man of sound judgment. Mr. Ross and he had been keen rivals in exhibiting sheep at the Shows and often he, Mr. Wil- ■ liams, had been beaten by Mr. Ross. Mr.< Ross, he stated, had made a thorough success of his job at Muriwai and both he and Mrs. Ross carried with them every good wish for the future. Kindness Appreciated Depression years had found many people of Boyd's Camp and Bartletts in sore straits. It was then that Mr. Ross showed his sterling worth and exhibited the hand of true friendship, stated Mr. T. O'Donneli, speaking for these people. It was difficult to repay such kindnesses, but he took the opportunity of expressing gratitude and repeated the good wishes of the former speakers to both (Mr. and Mrs. Ross. The chairman of the evening, Mr. J. Oevery, making further eulogistic references to Mr. and Mrs. Ross, presented them with a handsome case of cutlery and a beautiful quilt and their children, Barbara and John, 1 with silver serviette rings from the i residents of Muriwai, while Mr. 1 O'Donneli presented a crystal water g set, a wallet and two boxes of choco- ; lates. To the children was also \ given from the people of Muriwai a ' sum of money. • Happy Relations With Maoris Deep appreciation of what had been said and of the beautiful presents given was expressed by Mr. Ross in replying. He had had a life-long association with the Maori people and he was able to realise 1 the significance of the hakas and action songs. As an employer of j labour he did not wish for a better type of worker than the many Maoris with whom he had come into contact. His relations with all the Maori folk ' of the district had always harboured the utmost cordiality and he had « come to truly realise that in dealing , with the race there was "a man's ( word of honour." He had trusted . and in return he had been trusted. j He greatly appreciated the gener- , ous remarks of Mr. Williams, and . was moved by the kindly thoughts that were expressed oy the people of Bartletts. During the dancing, the music for which was supplied bv th° Krazy Kat orchestra, novelty dances were won by Mr. and Mrs. W. Lister and Miss Rata and Mr. P. Wyllie. A delightful supper, arrangements for which were in the hands of Mrs, T. Morgan and many willing helpers, was served in the Anzac Room. The M.C.s, who contributed greatly towards the success of the evening. were Messrs. Rex Devery and Reu- « ben Riki. Guests and Their Frocks Mrs. Ross was attractively gowned in navy and white sheer, whileMrs. Pevreal, mother of Mrs. Ross, was wearing navy floral silk. ( Among the many guests were Mrs. F. Ross, who chose a nigger and floral redingote; Mrs. J. McEwen, navy satin frock: Mrs. E. Larson, rigger crepe-de-chine and lace; Mrs. J. Cox, black georgette and lace; Mrs. T. Mcintosh, navy floral silk and coatee; Mrs. H. C. Williams, nnvy crepe-de-chine; Mrs. J. Blumsky, rose panne velvet; Mrs. A. Ingram, black velvet with white ruchings; Mrs. W. Lister, bottle green silk crepe; Mrs. L. McNamara, black figured marocain; Mrs. D. Blake, blue taffeta; Mrs. L. 'Fere, floral marocain relieved with red; Mrs. H. Raihunia, black georgette; Mrs. M. Pohatu (Kiopua), black and floral • silk; Mrs. A. Taipiha, figured crepe-de-chine; Pvlrs. W. Gibson, grey figured silk; Mrs. J. Smith (Tikiwhata). chevron striped silk and flame coatee; Mrs. N. Karepa, brown

marocain; Mrs. H. Hills, floral sheer; Mrs. 11. Lunn, black satin; Mrs. K. Wilson, floral georgette. , ■ Mrs. F. Wellfare favoured floral marocain; Mrs. B. Halbert, emerald satin beaute; Mrs. T. O'Donneli, blue figured marocain; Mrs. H. Te Hau. biscuit linen; Mrs. E. Toroa, black satin: Mrs. M. Kemp, navy marocain; Mrs. ,'C. Wallis, wing floral georgette; Mrs. T. Morgan, brown marocain: Mrs. C. Tee, navy floral crepe-de-chine; Mrs. K. Punaki. nigger brown crcpe-de-chine; Mrs. P. Te Hau; Mrs. D. Poipoi, fawn linen: Mrs. A. Binney, floral marocain; Mrs. M. Stone, green watered taffeta; Mrs. W. Porou, white and red silk linen; Mrs. A. Raihania, black crepe-de-chinc; Mrs. J. Dunlop, black marocain: Mrs. E. Smith (Tikiwhata), I black satin heaute; Mrs. G. Breingan, flowered sheer.

Miss J. Devery looked charming in rose satin: Miss J. Williams, figured peasant's smock; ' Miss M. Jackson, turquoise velvet; Miss I. Babbington, striped fuji; Miss N. Devery, black panne velvet; Miss G. Devery, pale green taffeta; Miss T. Karepa, fawn and while; Miss N. Te Hau, brown crepe-de-chine; Miss Charlotte Karepa, grey silk; Miss Connie Kara, navy and white corded silk; Miss J. Baker, black taffeta; Miss M. McEwen, flame floral satin; Miss Sarah Pohatu, floral voile; Miss Rata Wyllie, black silk; Miss Mary Brown, green and orange silk linen.