RECEPTION HELD AT WAIMATUKU

Southland Times, Issue 23772, 21 March 1939, Page 9

RECEPTION HELD AT WAIMATUKU

Tribute Paid To Old Residents MR AND MRS W. STRANG HONOURED The residents of Waimatuku gathered on Wednesday night to pay a tribute to Mr and Mrs William Strang for their services in the district. The guests of honour were piped into the hall, where visitors were present from Invercargill, Thombury, Oreti, Waianiwa, Wrights Bush, Isla Bank and Otahuti. Miss N. Buchanan presented Mrs Strang with a bouquet. During the evening Mrs R. Lindsay and Messrs Brown and Finney sang. Mr B. Hayes was master of ceremonies. After apologizing for the absence of Miss M. Strang, Dunedin, and Messrs A. Strang, Oamaru, W. Stewart and W. Peterson, Mr J. Buchanan, the first speaker of the evening, said Mr Strang was elected secretary and treasurer of the committee at the first meeting 46 years ago and had held the position ever since. He had given financial assistance when necessary, which had been much appreciated. Speaking as the representative of the Southland Education Board, Mr James Hargest, M.P., referred to Mr Strang’s wonderful record at the school. . He had been a member of the committee for 40 years. Mr Hargest wished Mr and Mrs Strang many more years of happiness and prosperity in the district. Mr A. Clark, speaking on behalf of the directors of the Wrights Bush Dairy Factory, recalled the time when Mr Strang was a director, and said that he had been Responsible for buying the mechanical stoker for the factory, thereby saving time and labour. The Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) referred to the reason for the function that evening, which was to express appreciation and regard for Mr and Mrs Strang’s labours in the past Mr Hamilton also wished them many more happy years. Other speakers were Mr T. McKenzie, Mr W. Marshall, on behalf of the managers of the’church, and Mr T. S. Muirhead, Representing the Farmers’ Union. During the evening a presentation was made to Mr and Mrs Strang of an oak writing desk and a reading lamp by Mr C. Brown. Mr Strang was accorded musical .honours when,, on behalf of his wife and himself, he rose to express thanks for the entertainment and gifts.