KAHUI ROAD FAREWELL

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1934, Page 9

KAHUI ROAD FAREWELL

FINE CONCERT PROGRAMME.

ME. AND MRS. S. R. OLIVER LEAVE.

The necessity for a public hall for the Kahui Road district was again in evidence last night, the school proving hardly adequate to accommodate the large crowd,. comprising practically all the residents of the district, that assembled for the concert and dance arranged by the school committee. The entertainment served a twofold purpose —to raise funds for levelling the school grounds and to farewell popular settlers, Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Oliver, who are leaving the district after 14 years’ residence there, eleven years of which were spent on Okahu Road before that section was bridged or metalled. Mr. M. Fleming, chairman of the school committee, presided. . An excellent programme of varied items was given by local, Rahotu and New Plymouth. performers, including a number- who were new to the district, and the undeniable recalls that each received showed how the audience appreciated each item. A novelty to the district was the ventriloquist turn given by Mr. Ferry, New Plymouth, and the inimitable Joey, whose quips and sallies, with his topical local “hits” proved an irresistible item, though at first it somewhat mystified the younger members of the audience. There was not a dull item on the programme which was as follows, every item being encored: Pianoforte solo, Miss E. Rayner; song, Miss Pat Murray; recitation, Mrs. Nelson Hill; vocal duet, Misses Greenwood and Day; song, Mr. R. Blanche; recitation, Mr. R. Day; song, Mrs. C. W. Clemance; song, Miss B. Turnbull; song, Mr. A. J. Murdoch; song, Mrs. R. Murray; comic song, Mr. R. Norgate; recitation/Miss K. Day; humorous stories, Mr. R. Day. The accompaniments' were played by Miss E. Hughson and Mrs. D. Kitchingman. Community singing was led by Mr. Day, Miss E. Hughson being the accompaniste. The chairman -expressed appreciation at seeing §uch a large attendance, .which would result in the school funds being considerably increased. He also thanked all the performers, especially those who had come from New Plymouth, with the result that they had listened to a programme of a very high standard. Mr. M. Fleming on behalf of the residents presented Mr. and Mrs. Oliver with a dinner service and an afternoon tea set as a mark of appreciation of their services to the district. Mr. Oliver was a man of quiet disposition but was always ready to help when required. Probably but for Mr. Oliver the Okahu Road would not have been metalled yet, as Mr. Oliver had been very persistent, having made several visits to Welling-: ton, interviewing Ministers, including the Prime Minister.- Moreover, the fact that Mr. Oliver was residing'bn the road had been a lever with deputations when placing the claims of the road before the authorities. Mrs. Oliver had been a great help to the settlers as she was always ready to place her knowledge as a nurse- at the disposal of the settlers in cases of sickness, and had never spared herself.

Mr. Oliver thanked the chairman fox his remarks and the settlers for their gifts; which he did not consider they deserved. In advocating the claims of the road he had been helping himself as well as the* district. In leaving the district he expressed the hope that he was not leaving the friends that he had made during the past 14 years, but wherever he finally decided to settle they would always be welcome. Supper provided by the ladies of the district was served by the committeemen and their wives, after which the hall was cleared for dancing. Mr. R. Norgate was M.C., the music being provided by Mrs. P. Kitchingman. Extras were played by Miss D. McGregor and Mr. R. Norgate. The committee responsible for the successful arrangement comprised Messrs. M. Fleming (chairman), J. Glentworth, P. Kitchingman, R. ■ Fleming and C. W. Clemance (secretary).