VALEDICTORY

Southland Times, Issue 20664, 20 April 1929, Page 9

VALEDICTORY

FUNCTION AT WOODLANDS. Mr E. J. Chapman, the stationmaster at Woodlands, has received word of his promotion to Wellington, and is leaving very shortly. In the Public Hall on Tuesdayevening, April 16, Mr and Mrs Chapman were farewelled by a large gathering of residents. Mr William Bell presided and expressed hearty congratulations to Mr Chapman on his well-deserved advancement, and spoke in eulogistic terms of both Mr Chapman and Mrs Chapman during their five years’ residence in Woodlands. Other supporting speakers were Messrs John Middlemiss, M. P. Schmidt, J. K. Saxelby, James Milne, John McHardy jnr. and C. Bigwood. Special mention was made by all the speakers of Mrs Chapman, although on account of her home cares and duties she could not be as much in the public eye as her husband. The departing guests were presented with a wallet containing a roll of notes. Mr Chapman in response thanked all for the gift, and the several expressions of goodwill and appreciation toward Mrs Chapman and himself. Their gift was not neces-

sary- to remind him of Woodlands; be could not forget his stay among them, and he had experienced keen pleasure in seeking to be of some assistance among them.

During the evening an excellent programme was submitted, and the following were the items: Song and chorus, the school children; song and chorus, Mr Leckie and party; songs, Misses A. Schmidt and Milne, and Messrs Leckie, Clark and McNaughton; recitation, Mr Gordon Wyeth; duets, Mrs Walker and Miss- Schmidt, and Messrs Leckie and Clark; instrumental duet, Misses Clark.