VALEDICTORY.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14667, 22 March 1918, Page 5

VALEDICTORY.

REV. W., MRS., AND MISS BAUMBER.

There was a very large gathering at the Union Jack Tea Rooms yesterday afternoon, when a complimentary tea was held in honour of.the Rev. W., Mrs, and Miss Baumber, in view of their early departure from Nelson. The large assemblage and the representative character of those present bore striking testimony to the esteem- in which the guests of honour are held in the community, and was a marked appreciation of their efforts on behalf of patriotic movements.

After tea had been partaken of, Mr J. P. Hayes, hon. treasurer of "the lied Cross Fund, expressed pleasure tit seeing so many present. Speaking of the patriotic work of the guests, he said that some 20 months ago the Union Jactf Tea Rooms were started, by Mrs (Dr.) Lucas and Miss Baumber to assist in -raising funds for the Bed Cross. As treasurer of the fund it had been his pleasing duty to receive over £560 during that period as the result (contributions to other patriotic funds raised the total amount donated to over £600). It was a idea, and one that the public had appreciated. It had proved an excellent thing for the Red Cross, and sincere thanks were due to Miss Baumber and the ladies associated with her, who had worked hard every day, and also to Mrs A. H. Bisley, who gave the rooms free of rent Mrs Baumber was a member of the Red Cross Committee, and had not only been an earnest worker, but must also haive made sacrifices in view of the large amount of work undertaken by Mr and Miss Baumber. Mr Baumber had been a real, genuine worker in patriotic causes. Wherever there had been -work to do he lont his aid. As a member of the Advisory Board of the Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund, Mr Baumber had devoted a great deal of time to the work, and if he had a fault at all it was m being too liberal, but he was I just as liberal of his own time and I means on behalf of the- soldiers. He i concluded by expressing good wishes to the guests of the afternoon. The Mayor (Mr W. Wallace Snod-gras-s), after apologising for the unavoidable absence of the Bishop of Nelson, expressed the delight ne felt at! having opportunity to testify his regard i for such generous patriotic'workers as I Mr, Mrs and Alias Baumber. He' claimed for himself an extensive know-1 ledge of what had been done in Nelson ; ior patriotic purposes, and he knew what a wonderfully fine worker Mr Baumber had been in the various efforts. He had also had the opportunity of knowing the hard work Miss tfaumber had performed in connection with the tea rooms. The result had been splendid, and the work had been valuable apart from the actual money raised, for during the period of the war the various efforts for patriotic purposes had been a means of drawing people closer, and ties of friendship and brotherhood had been formed that would never be broken. The Mayor then on behalf of the ladies connected with the tea -rooms presented > Miss Baumber with a tea <mp and saucer and silver teaspoon with inscription, asking; her to accept the small token as a memento and an expression of regard Ihe remarks of both speakers were endorsed by very hearty applause. Miss Baumber expressed her deep gratitude for the kind words that had been spoken. Regarding the tea rooms, she said that nothing could ha*e been done^without the help of the girls. They had been simply splendid, loyal, and cheerful and ever ready to help. She also acknowledged- the assistance of those who made contributions to the rooms, with the result that they were run with very little expense. , JI^ BaJ 1"1J }ci\in expressing thanks on ¥, alfof Mrs Baumber and. himself, said that he had simply tried to do his duty, and it had been a great pleasure to him to take part in any work for the benefit of the soldiers. It was impossible to be too generous for those who were risking their air for our lives and freedom. As a member of the Advisory Board of the Sick and Wounded boldiers' Fund he had ■ endeavoured to do what was right,"'first.in the interests or the men themselves, and then for the general fund. It had been a great pleasure for him to help in raising, the fund, ancl then to take parj in the administration. With regard to his wife, he did not think that either his daughter or he could haVe done the work they had without the assistance of Mrs Baumbcr. They were proud of their daughters work. She had worked heartily and enthusiastically for the Red Cross, and they had been very glad that it should be so. He did not think too much could be done for that fund, and he trusted that Nelson would maintain its reputation in raising money for the fund. Nelson had won a permanent place in connection with this and other funds, and he felt sure that there would not l>e any falling back. He could say very sincerely that for manythings they would be sorry when the time came to leave Nelson. He would remember Nelson all the days of his life, and would be glad sometime to come again and see the sunny city where they had spent so many happy

Both Mwa Baumber and her father were heartily applauded during and at the close of their remarks, and the gathering closed with three hearty cheers for the guests. =

■n 4 A nm °3> £7 17s was rais^ for the Red Cross Fund through the afternoon's function.

It will be some three weeks,before w a^ m and famil.v leave xNTelson We have been asked to state that the retirement of Miss Baumber from active part in the management of the Union Jack Tea Rooms does not imply any alteration in the conduct of the business as the work will be carried on as Tisual.