LOCHIEL RESIDENTS DEPART

Southland Times, Issue 23783, 3 April 1939, Page 12

LOCHIEL RESIDENTS DEPART

FAREWELL TO MR AND MRS

S. J. IRWIN

About 250 friends and neighbours gathered in the Lochiel Hall at a social and dance given in honour of Mr and Mrs S. J. Irwin and family before their departure for Invercargill. During supper the opportunity was taken by Mr J. A. Beck to present Mr and Mrs Irwin with a brass-plated log box, a wall mirror and a fountain pen on behalf of their many friends. Mr Beck also presented Miss Monica Irwin with a toilet set, Miss Dawn Irwin with a music satchel and Master lan Irwin with a wristlet watch. Mr Beck said he was sure all present regretted that their guests were leaving the district. He mentioned that Mr Irwin had been a r&sident of Lochiel for more than half a century and no doubt his memory of the district went back to the days of tussocks, mud roads and the struggles of the early settlers. The speaker said that Mr Irwin had a keen sense of public duty and mentioned that he had been secretary for about 20 years of the Lochiel branch of the Farmers’ Union, secretary and chairman for many years of the Lochiel School Committee and represented the district on the Winton Dental Clinic Committee. He had also been secretary of the Lochiel Collie Dog Trials Club since its inception and also a member of the Hall Committee and had served on the executive of many other local organizations. He said that Mr Irwin’s sound counsel and valuable service would be greatly missed in the district. He wished the guests pleasant circumstances in their new surroundings and a full and contented life in the future.

Other speakers were Mr A. Shirley, Mr A. Forbes, and Mr James Robertson. Mrs T. Crane spoke on behalf of the women of the district and the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union and expressed regret at the guests’ departure. Mr Irwin replied. Mr and Mrs W. Malcolm, who have taken over Mr Irwin's farm, were present and were welcomed to the district by Mr Beck.