AN HONOURED FAMILY

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1930, Page 10

AN HONOURED FAMILY

MR. AND MRS. MARFELL DEPART. LARGE GATHERING AT HUINGA. During the period of over 36 years in which they arid their family have farmed in the Huinga district, Air. and Airs. Marfell have won wide esteem. They have led in many public and patriotic movements and have given practical expression to their beliefs in Christianity. Hence it' was no surprise to find the Huinga hall taxed to its utmost to accommodate nearly 200 people on Thursday evening, assembled to wish the couple happiness in the autumn of their lives. Air, arid Airs. Marfell, senior, with their daughter, have retired to live in Stratford and have handed over the control of their original farm to • their younger son Leslie. Leslie Marfell has recently married, and so the function included the district’s welcome to his bride. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings ever held at Huinga, and the guests must have felt proud at the wealth of good wishes showered upon them. Air. and Airs. Marfell, senior, were presented with a beautifully executed illuminated address (the work of Air. J. McAllister, Stratford), Aliss Marfell with a set of toilet requisites and Air. and Airs. Leslie Alarfell with a travelling rug. TRIBUTES OF ESTEEM. As chairman of the committee Air. H. Cook briefly explained the nature of the function and called upon various speakers to address the gathering. Air. 11. J. Kaye paid a compliment to Airs. Leslie Alarfell. Turning to Air. and Airs. Alarfell, senior, Air. Kaye said that in 30 years they had proved themselves the best type of settler, the type that made their district their home and improved their land. It was to this type that' New Zealand owed so much of its prosperity. Having been a close neighbour for 11 years, Air. Kaye said he had come to appreciate the Alarfell family very thoroughly. Frequently he had availed himself of Air. Marfell’s experience and advice, and he knew that if anyone was needing a woman’s help Mrs. and Aliss Alarfell were always first on the scone. “I feel that I can say truly that they have become the grand old man and grand old lady of the Huinga district,” said Mr. Kaye. Air. Alarfell, senior, had amongst other things been chairman of the school committee for years and, 1 in fact, it was mainly due to his efforts that the school was first built. He wished them happiness in their new home in Stratford.

EARLY SETTLERS. As one who 50 years ago came to New Zealand as a child in the same ■ sailing vessel and landed with them in the surf boats at New Plymouth, Mr. J. B. Hine said he had never lost his early friendship with the family. No further evidence than the gathering that evening was needed to indicate the esteem in which the family was held. He himself could not speak too highly of his old friends, while Mr. Marfell’s record of public service as a member of long standing on the Stratford County Council and as mem-, her and chairman of the (Stratford Hospital Board spoke for itself. Apart from the day school, Mr. Marfell had taken a keen interest 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 whole heart into the work of the Anglican, Church in the district, and it. was hoped he would .still be able to take periodic services .at Huinga. Mr. Hine, made reference to Mr.,' Mrs. and Miss Marfell’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 claimed the Marfell family had . set a splendid example. The parents had been an ideal couple and had reared their family perfectly. After speaking of his associations with Mr. Marfell, senior, on local bodies, Mr. Walter stated that hard work had marked his friend’s early endeavours, and it was by still harder work that he had succeeded so well. Now it was up to the boys to carry on the traditions so firmly laid.

WISDOM IN BUSINESS. Mention of Mr. Marfcll’s keen business judgment and tributes to his wisdom and loyalty were paid by Messrs. W. A. Hewijt and C. G. Trotter (general and assistant general manager respectively of the Farmers' Co-op). Mr. Marfell had been a member of the board of directors of the organisation since its inception and had materially assisted in guiding its destinies through the troublous days of the slump. “He is a man of really strong character and absolutely fair; 1 cannot say too much for Mr. Marfell and his wife,” .said Mr. Hewitt. Mr.,- Mrs. and Miss Marfell were accorded an ovation when rising to receive the gifts. ? When the cheering had died down they were treated to musical honours and prolonged applause. i On behalf of the Toko Farmers’ Union the president, Mr. T, T. Murray, called! upon Mr. Leslie Marfell to accept a rug. j Mr. Murray eulogised the work of Mr. Marfell, junr., as secretary to the branch, thanking him for the energy he had infused into his work and for the thoroughness with which he had carried out all his duties. “As a matter of fact,”