COUNTRY NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 19658, 7 October 1922, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS

ISLA BANK. An enjoyable evening was spent in the local hall on Tuesday when a large gathering of neighbours assembled to spend a social hour or two with Mr and Mrs Gorkin prior to their departure from this district. A good programme of vocal and instrumental items was submitted, the following ladies and gentlemen contributing: Mrs Lilico, Miss Grant, Messrs J. and D. Lilico, J. Miller, JI. Herd, R. McDonald, and G. Duke. The school children also assisted, their rendering of a Maori translation of the National Anthem arousing considerable interest. During an interval Mr McDonald expressed towards the guests of the evening the deep regret of the district at their departure. He emphasised their many good qualities as neighbours and as citizens. He presented Mr Gerkin with a cheque on behalf of a large number of district friends as a token of the esteem in which he and his family were held, and extended to them the very best wishes of the neighbourhood for their future welfare. The Rev. Mr Smaill, supporting Mr McDonald’s remarks, expressed the opinion that citizens of the type of Mr and Mrs Gerkin could be ill-spared from a small district like this. Mr Gerkin received an ovation when he rose to acknowledge the gift, which he did in a few wellchosen words. Supper (supplied by the ladies), a chat, a few dances (for which music was supplied by Miss McNeill and Messrs Bell and Miller), then Auld Lang Syne and a hearty handshake all round, terminated a most pleasant function. Mr and Mrs Gerkin leave here to take up their residence at Tisbury. During their five years at Isla Bank they have gained the high esteem of a »ery wide circle of friends whose good wmues go with them. Their departure leaves a gap which will be hard to fill.