ABOUT PEOPLE

Southland Times, Issue 14580, 22 November 1910, Page 6

ABOUT PEOPLE

There was a large attendance of Appleby Cricket Club , members at Ashley’s Hair yesterday evening on the occasion of a send-off social to Mr N. .1. Keane, who has entered into business in Christchurch. Mr A. Ball, senior, occupied the chair, and kept things moving merrily. At a suitable moment .Mr Ball addressed (he guest of the evening, assuring him that the Appleby Club members were sensible of considerable regret at his departure which deprived them not only of a strong player, but of one who was an enthusiast in the game, and whose familiarity with, it in all its phases was always placed freely at the disposal of players not so well Informed. His Appleby comrades wished Mr Keane success in Christchurch cricket as w\ell as good luck in his business there, a'nd as a souvenir of his connection with the Club they had subscribed for bis acceptance a leather dressing case, engraved to explain the occasion. This little gift, the chairman handed to Air Keane, and applause endorsed the sentiments with which the presentation was accompanied. Messrs A. Derbie. D. Karnie, W. Dingwall, .T. Bell, and G. Reid also spoke regarding the social anil sporting attributes displayed by Mr Keane during his long sojourn in the town. Mr Keane made grateful acknowledgment to the spirit of comradeship which had prompted the gift and the good wishes expressed. He fell that he would, have a fairly good innings up North, and stated ids intention of keeping up as active an interest in cricket there as his health would permit. He would not forget his cricket frit-nds in Southland, and anything ho could do in the matter of getting a good Canterbury team sent to .Invercargill would be done. The company settled down, to a thoroughly enjoyable social evening, songs being sung by Messrs 11. Richards, X. J. Keane, Ileoce, H. Irwin. R. Wesney, E. Ward ami G.> Robertson; recitations by Messrs J. Bell and D. Farnie; and selection:.; by Fullers’ orchestra. Mr F. 11. Merric. of the local branch of the New Zealand Roan and M. A. Co., whose transfer to the Dannevirke branch has already been noted, was met by bis fellow-workers in th.; local office on Saturday afternoon and presented with a portmanteau and pair of hair brushes, the gift of his office mates. The presentation was made by the manager, Mr Jas. Callender, who spoke highly of Mr Mcrrie's ability and prophesied for him still greater success in the Company’s service. More intimate personal appreciation of Mr Merric’s qualities was voiced by Messrs F. Scandrett, G. A. Haraami, .1. G. Foster, and A. Macauly, and Air -Merrle acknowledged the goodwill expressed in words and implied in the gift. The Rev. Alex. Don, of the Dunedin Chinese Mission, was a passenger from Melbourne by the Manuka yesterday. Air Don lias been spending two months in tiie Australian Colonies in Die interests of his health, but, as is usual with a man of his energy, a good deal of work has been associated wlta rest. Mr Don spent n week in Sydney studying the New South Wales system of Bible instruction in .schools, and later at Bendigo and Ballarat (his native town) addressed (lie local Chinese. Five weeks in Victoria were spent in travelling extensively into the hack blocks, and Mr lion’s impression is that Victoria is in for a splendid season. Very favourable rains have fallen and the crops are in excellent condition. Air Don will takeup his multifarious duties immediately on bis return to Dunedin, and will start on his annual tour among the Chinese of the Otago goldfields on Thursday week. At the close of the teacher’s training classes at Gore on Saturday last Mr Gilchrist. of East Gore, the popular instructor of school method, was the recipient of a handsome little memento from his class in the form of a beautiful fountain pen. In making the presentation Air White referred feelingly to the wholehearted and self-sacrificing manner in which Air Gilchrist had entered into the task entrusted him, in so doing having endeared himself to all those present. In rising to respond Air Gilchrist was applauded to the echo. With characteristic modesty he stoutly claimed to have done nothing but his duty, hut would accept 'with g’-cut pleasure the unusual honour -which liD students had been prompted to bestow upon him.