VALEDICTORY

Southland Times, Issue 21896, 23 December 1932, Page 13

VALEDICTORY

SOCIAL AT WEST PLAINS. (From Our Correspondent.) A very pleasant time was spent in West Plains Hall on the evening of Tuesday, 20th instant, the occasion being a farewell to Mr and Mrs A. Shand, both of whom have been greatly esteemed in the district in which the latter held the position of school mistress for 16 years. The hall, which was beautifully decorated, was well filled, about 200 being present. The chair was occupied by Mr A. Henderson, chairman of the committee, and when the guests of the evening entered the hall they were greeted by loud applause. Messrs A. Henderson and A. Lennie spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr and Mrs Shand, and referred to the valuable services which they always so willingly rendered to every cause in the district, During a suitable interval in the programme Mr and Mrs shand were presented with a pair of handsome brass candle sticks from the pupils of the school, the presentation being made by the Misses Nancy Young and I. Douglass, and on behalf of the ex-pupils Mr Eric Taylor presented Mrs Shand with a handsome picture and Mr Shand with a wallet. The gift from the parents and other residents of the district took the form of two handsomely upholstered chairs, the presentation being made by Mr A. Henderson, and last, but by no means least, two tiny girls, viz., the Misses Joyce Macdonald and V. Dyet presented Mrs Shand with a beautiful bouquet of roses. Mrs Shand, in replying, thanked all the donors for their gifts, and in an excellent speech said that she would always hold them in high esteem as mementos of the many happy days spent in West Plains. Mr Shand also spoke, and, in returning thanks for the beautiful gifts received by Mrs Shand and himself, said that they both regretted leaving the district, and would always look back with pleasure on the many happy days spent in West Plains, and the friendships formed during their stay there.

During the evening character sketches were given by Mr Peter Ferguson and party. Items were also contributed by the following: Miss Mina Hardy, solo; Mr Cook, solo; and step dances by Miss Mavis Gregory, a young lady who shows great talent. To Miss Gregory and the Messrs Kenneth McLeod and Lindsay Taylor the best thanks of the committee are due for their valuable contributions to the evening’s amusement. After supper was served dancing was indulged in and entered into with great spirit till a memorable gathering terminated with the singing of “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.”