OLD SETTLERS FAREWELLED

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 91, 5 July 1930, Page 7

OLD SETTLERS FAREWELLED

LARGE HUINCA GATHERING. Mr. and Mrs. E, MABFELL ARE HONOURED. The esteem in which Mr. and Mrs. R Marfell are held hy the people of the Huinga - district, where they have resided for the past thirty years, was strikingly shown on Thursday evening, when nearly two hundred settlors assembled at the Huinga Hall to hid them 'farewell. Mr. and Mrs. Marfell and their daughter have come to Stratford to live and control of the farm at Huiuga. has been, handed over to Mr. Leslie Marfell. The latter was mar. ried recently and the gathering served also as a welcome t<| his bride. During the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Marfell senior were presented with a beautifully executed illuminated ad dress (the work of Mr. .1- McAllister, Stratford), Miss Marfell with a set of toilet requisites and Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Marfell with a travelling rug. Mr- H. Cook, chairman of oofmmittee, briefly explained the nature of the function and called npoiti various speakers to address the gathering. BEST TYPE OF SETTLER

Mr. H. J. Kaye said that in thirty years Mr- and Mrs. Marfell senior had proved themselves the best type of settler, the type that made their district their home and improv. ed their land, it was to this type that New Zealand owed so much o!f its prosperity. Having been a close neighbour for it years, Mr- Ivue said he had come to appreciate the Marfell family very thoroughly. Frequently he had availed himself of Mr. Marfell’s experience and advice, and ho knew that if anyone was needing a woman’s help Mrs- and Miss Marfell were always first on the scone. Mr. Marled had been chairman of the School Committee for many years, and, in fact, it was mainly duo to his efiorts that the school was first built-

IN PUBLIC LIFE. Fifty years ago, as a child, said Mr. .T B. Hine, ho had come to New Zealand in the same ship as the guests of the evening, and Tie had never lost his early friendship with the family. Ho himself could not speak too highlv of his old friends, while Mr- Marfell’s record of public service as a member of long standing in the Stratford County and as member and chairman of the Stratford Hospital Hoard spoke for itself.) Ap4rt from 'the day school, Mr. Marfell had taken a keen in. tere-st in the welfare of the Sunday school and it was to his teachings that many of the younger generation owed so much for their spiritual training. He had also thrown his heart into the work of the Anglican Church in the district, and it was hoped he jwonid still he able to take periodic services at Huinga. Mr- Hine made reference to Mr., Mrs. a'nd Miss Marf e ll’s activities ■while their sons and brothers were at the war and to the assistance, financial, moral and spiritual, they rendered during those distressing times. Mr- E. Walter spoke of his association with Mr- Marfell on public bodies. Hard work, Tie sa’id, had marked his friend’s early endeavours and it was by still harder wrirk that 1, 0 had succeeded so well. Now it ■was up to the hoys to carry on the traditions so firmly laid-

business judgment. Tributes to Mr. Marfell’s keen business judgment, bis wisdom and. Ids loyalty wore paid by Messrs- W. A. Hewitt .general manager) and C. G. Trotter (assistant general manager) of the Fanners’ Co-op- Dir. Dlaitell said Dir Hewitt, bad been ai member of the board of directors of the organisation since its inception and bad materially assisted in guiding its destinies through the troublesome days of the slump. Mr., Mrs. and Miss Man-fell wore accorded an ovaticjn when rising to receive the gilts- Whan the cheering had died down they were treated to musical honours and prolonged applause. THE FARMERS’ UNION. . On behalf of the Tok<| Farmers’ Union, flkv president, Mr. T- T. Murray called upon Dir. Leslie Muriel! to accept a rug. Mr. Murray eulogised tbe /work of Dir- Martell junr., as secretary to the branch, thanking him loir the energy lie had infused into bis work ami for fcliQ thoroughness with which lie- bail carried out bis ,duties The real, though unofficial, president of the I)ranch, said Dir. Murray, was Dir. Mantel I, senior, to whose interest was due much of tlio present enthusiasm for the Union's work in Toko. Mr. Leslie D 1 arfoll a'nd bis bride ■were also accorded a- wonderful reception when the former rose to reply. Interspersing musical and elocutionary items two competitions were held- Miss DT. Kelly was first for the ladies and Mr. W. Rricson for tbo men in tbe blindfold pig game, while Dfiss C. Milne and Dir- 1,. Knowles carried off tbo prizes for

ability to recognise songs from the playing of tho first bar. Songs were rendered by Mesdames A. Ma'rtell and (t. A’augUain and Mr. L. Leydon, and Miss M Towns and Miss K. Longstalf gave enjoyablo recitations, while the saildr’s hornpipe was danced by Miss Hell- Mr. and Mrs. <i. Cook 'wore great ly appreciated in a violin and cornet solo. T' 1 1 e music for the dances was supplied locally, extras being played by Mrs. Vaughan and Mr. .1- .Jamieson, the bitter on the bagpipes. Mrs. Vaughan acted as accompanist for the sing, mg.