VALEDICTORY

Southland Times, Issue 19997, 11 October 1926, Page 5

VALEDICTORY

FUNCTION AT CfiARLTON. MRS. J. WHITTINGHAM AND FAMILY HONOURED. The Charlton School was the scene of a very pleasant function on Friday evening when the residents of the district gathered to say farewell to Mrs. J. Whittingham and her two daughters, Misses Eileen and Rita ; Whittingham. For some years past Mrs j Whittingham and her family have been suc- | cessfully carrying on the farm on Main ! South Road left by the late Mr J. Whittingi ham. In the face of conditions that were | by no means heartening, the family worked j hard and finally evolved order out of chaos, i as prior to the death of Mr Whittingham ■ the family had not been resident at the j farm, which was under a manager. Mrs , Whittingham and her daughters made a farm of the place, and in a farming com- ■ munii,’ the grit and courage required to !do this were soon recognised. In the social 1 sphere, also the Misses Whittingham were I ever ready and willing to lend a helping i hand and also to give freely of their vocal i and instrumental ability for the entertainI ment of others. Mrs Whittingham has now I disposed of the farm, and as the family I intends taking up residence at Invercargill, I as has been stated before, the residents of the district met to do them honour prior to their departure from the district. The floor was cleared for dancing, and in this way the time passed all too quickly until supper was dispensed by the ladies, who are to be complimented on their hospitality. Following supper, Mr J. Hargest apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr and Mrs Lav. lor. Continuing, Mr Hargest exi pressed the pleasure of the committee at 1 seeing so many of the residents of Charlton i and also from other districts present to say • ( farewell to the Whittingham family. The exceptional attendance showed that the settlers held a very high opinion of the guests, and one and all were sorry they vre leaving the district. He expressed ‘ the good wishes of all for the future success of the family. Mr. E. Bowmar was then called upon to • make presentations, and in doing so he II spoke of the peculiar significance of the word “Farewell.” He had much pleasure in saying “May you fare well.” He then, on behalf of the Charlton residents, present- . ed to Mrs Whittingham a case of stainless cutlery, a silver cake knife, sugar spoon and I butter knife and to each of the Misses | Whittingham a beautiful suede leather handbag. In doing so, Mr Bowmar expressed the opinion that Mrs Whittingham and the girls had been heroines in the work they had done and in their manner of doing it. They had accomplished much, and had done that which few in like circumstances would have been able to do. Mr. Bowmar con- ! eluded by stating that the family would I c tinue to be worthy citizens and New , Zealanders, and expressing the heartfelt : good wishes of all for their future health, happiness and prosperity. (Applause.) Mr. T. Falconer (Gore) endorsed the remarks of th? previous speaker, and stated that the many excellent qualities of the Whittingham family as neighbours would be missed from the district. He expressed regret at their impending departure. It was a wellknown fact that if anyone was in trouble the Whittingham family was the first to appear with offers of assistance. Mr. Falconer expressed his admiration of the pluck ar.d courage of Mrs. Whittingham in taking over the old home and so successfully carrying the work to such an issue, a matter in I which she had been ably supported by both girls. It was unfair to individualise, but Rita was a girl in a thousand. All were sorry they were going, and the good wishes of all would go with them. (Applause.) Mr. D. Davies also spoke briefly, and Mr G. W. Whittingham returned thanks on behalf of the guests of the evening. Dancing was then continued until the early hours of the morning. During the evening songs were rendered bv Messrs A. F. Henderson and J. Robertson (2). v