VALEDICTORY

Southland Times, Issue 21516, 5 October 1931, Page 3

VALEDICTORY

FUNCTION AT LIMEHILLS. MR. AND MRS. L. R. LEWIS HONOURED. Although it is only six years ago since Mr and Mrs L. R. Lewis took up residence in the Limehills district they have made many friends during that period and have taken an unusually keen and active interest in the welfare of the district. In his capacity of schoolmaster of the Limehills School Mr Lewis has been treated with every respect. On Wednesday evening a large number of friends of Mr and Mrs Lewis and family assembled at the Limehills Hall to bid them farewell, before they leave to take up residence in Invercargill, where Mr Lewis will join the teaching staff of the Waihopai School. During his sojourn at Limehills, Mr Lewis has been an active member of numerous bodies and his as well as Mrs Lewis’s departure from the district will be greatly missed. It must be indeed gratifying to them to know that their work has been appreciated, and the remarks of the various speakers on Wednesday evening was glowing testimony of the esteem and popularity in which they have been held by the residents of the district. Mr and Mrs Lewis and family have with their departure the sincere wishes of the people of Limehills for their success in their new sphere. A short concert was rendered for the first part of the evening, musical and elocutionary items being contributed by the following: Mrs F. Cowie, Misses N. Grant, J. Hammond, M. B. Cowie, Messrs D. and L. Henderson. Misses M. B. Cowie, M. McKenzie and B. Hammond acted as accompanists.

At the conclusion of the musical programme, the chairman of the school committee, Mr James Lindsay, thanked the performers for the splendid programme they had provided and also the public for the splendid manner in which they had attended the function. Referring to the departure of Mr Lewis, the school’s headmaster, he said that he would be greatly missed by both schoolchildren and parents. Speaking on behalf of the school committee, Mr Lindsay spoke in eulogistic terms of the many fine teaching qualities the guest of the evening possessed. He remarked that the wonderfully equipped school, both inside and out, spoke for itself of the fine work that had been accomplished during the past few years. As far as sport went with the children Mr Lewis had taken a very active part, and had also accomplished valuable work with the Agricultural Club movement. He mentioned the excellent reports received from the Education Board in connection with the work of Mr Lewis and this was very gratifying to the committee as well as the residents of the district. These excellent reports showed that there was no doubt that Mr Lewis was one of the bright lights in the teaching profession and the influence of his teaching would stand to many of the pupils in their future life. Mr Lindsay also spoke in glowing terms of the valuable asistance Mrs Lewis had given in all matters, and he wished them both the best of happiness and prosperity in the future. Mr William Swale, who was the next speaker, mentioned the valuable assistance the guests of the evening had been to the district generally. He expressed his pleasure at being associated with those present in honouring such worthy residents as Mr and Mrs Lewis. During their period of residence at Limehills the guests had identified themselves with so many institutions and social functions that it was impossible to detail them all separately. The residents of the district regretted the departure of Mr and Mrs Lewis, but Mr Swale was sure the good work done by Mr Lewis in his capacity as headmaster of the Limehills school would be valued by the residents of the district. In conclusion Mr Swale, on behalf of the public, extended the wish that Mr and Mrs Lewis and family would enjoy happiness and prosperity in their future life. As is well known, Mr Lewis is an enthusiastic supporter of basketball and was not only president of the Limehills Club byt has held the presidency' of the Central District Sub-Association for a number of years, and appreciation of his efforts in this connection were mentioned by Miss Nan Wilson on behalf of the Limehills Basketball Club. Miss Wilson presented to the guest a bronze fire screen as a slight token of recognition of the valuable services he had rendered the club. She- expressed regret at the departure of Mr and Mrs Lewis and said that it was pleasing to all to know that Mr Lewis had been promoted a further step in the ladder of his profession.

On behalf of the Limehills Football Club of which Mr Lewis was president, Mr R. H. Hamilton referred to the part Mr Lewis had played in the life of the club and the valuable work he had carried out. Mr H. Phillips on behalf of the Limehills Tennis Club, Mr J. Doherty on behalf of the Library, for which Mr Lewis was secretary and treasurer and Mr W. Clark on behalf of the Central Rugby Football Sub-Union also added their quota in respect to the work of the guest with the respective bodies. In presenting to Mr and Mrs Lewis a wallet of notes on behalf of the residents, the Rev. Mr Cawley endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers and also mentioned the work of the guests in connection with the Presbyterian Church, the Bible Class movement, the P.W.M.U. and the Ladies’ Guild.

In reply Mr Lewis said that he appreciated the remarks of the speakers in regard to his activities in the district and remarked that both Mrs Lewis and himself felt gratified to know that their efforts had been appreciated. His association with the various bodies had been a pleasure and a profit to himself and anything that he or Mrs Lewis had done was only their duty as good citizens of the community. He thanked the various speakers for their kind remarks, making special mention of the fine gife he had received from the Basketball Club. During their residence at Limehills he had received the greatest courtesy and kindness from everyone and they would often look back on the many pleasant times spent in the district. In mentioning his successor, he remarked that no doubt, as was the custom of the people of Limehills, the headmaster would receive the same wholehearted support and assistance that he had received. In conclusion he again thanked the speakers for their kind sentiments and the residents of the district for their gifts. The singing of Auld Lang Syne terminated a happy function. After a delicious supper a short and enjoyable dance was held.