FAREWELL SOCIAL

Southland Times, Issue 21716, 31 May 1932, Page 6

FAREWELL SOCIAL

FUNCTION AT GORE. Last evening nearly 100 residents of Gore and district met in the Gaiety Hall, Gore, to farewell Miss J. Smyth, Mr T. Smyth and Mr Hl Wilson, who are leaving for Invercargill. The earlier part of the evening was spent in musical and vocal items, after which Mr A. R. Johnston, chairman, presented Miss Smyth with an eiderdown quilt; Mr Smyth a suitcase and Mr Wilson a travelling rug. Mr Johnston referred to the type of settler who had been instrumental in breaking up the district in which the present company was interested. The pioneers of those days had stout hearts and willing hands and were not to be diverted from their purpose of establishing homes for themselves. They should take off their hats to men like Mr Wilson, who was of that type, and to the stock from which Miss and Mr Smyth had sprung. Mr Johnston expressed his appreciation of them as neighbours and wished them good health and prosperity in their retirement. Mr D. McDougall, MP., in humorous strain, recounted his first meeting with Mr Wilson and related many of his experiences of the early days in and around Gore. Mr A. J. Kerse, representing the Gore Stock Agents’ Association, spoke in eulogistic vein of the Smyth and Wilson families. Mrs J. Cooper, Messrs W. D. Shelton, M. Cronin, W. Chittock, A. Syme and H. Smith spoke. Mr Smyth, in reply, expressed appreciation of mention of those members of the family who had passed away. He was not going far away, he said, and he thanked them for the fine presents. The musical items during the evening were: Songs, Misses J. Cooper and Messrs R. L. Stevenson and George Paterson; recitation, Miss W. Collins; piano solo, Mr A. Smart; saxophone solo, Mr H. McDonald; violin solo; Mr D. Mitchell; orchestral items, Smart’s Orchestra.