DISTRICT’S TRIBUTE

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1935, Page 7

DISTRICT’S TRIBUTE

RAHOTU RESIDENTS LEAVE

MR. AND MRS. HUGHSON’S WORTH.

THIRTY-FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE.

LONG ASSOCIATION BROKEN.

The esteem and affection with which Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Hughson are regarded by residents of the Rahotu district was eloquently exemplified by the very large and representative gathering at the Rahotu hall last night, despite very inclement weather, to wish them God-speed on the eve of their departure on an extended tour to England and the Continent. If further evidence was required it was given by the tributes paid by numerous speakers to their worth. Mr. Hughson’s associations with Rahotu date back, over .half a century, while with Mrs. Hughson he has resided, there continuously for a third of a century. The early part of the evening was devoted to a programme including a vocal duet by Misses W. and P. Murray, vocal solos by Mrs. G. Hopkins, Miss R. Day and Mr. Wilkinson, and recitations by Miss L. Rusden and Mr. Lineham. The accompaniments were played by Miss P. Street, Mesdames Murray and Malcolm. Each item was encored. The stage was decorated with flowers. Mr. W. C. Green presided,’ Messrs. T. Willcox, G. Gibson and W. Butler being associated with him. Mr. Green, chairman of the .Egmont Courier Council, apologised for the absence of Mr. W. R. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Stevenson and Mr. N. C. Morgan. He was sure that no greater - tribute could be paid fo Mr. and Mrs. Hughson than the fact that such a large gathering had assembled to say au revoir on the eve of their extended tour to England and the Continent, said Mr. Green. Mr. and Mrs. Hughson had resided at Rahotu for 34 years, while as a member of the Armed Constabulary forces Mr. Hughson’s association with the district went back to 1881, when he was camped on one of the redoubts at the recreation ground. Mr. Hughson had always been closely associated with the progress of the district, not only , having taken his part in the pioneer work, but haying also helped in everything that had been promoted‘“for the benefit of district. He had never been asked hr vain for assistance for any worthy cause. It had been said that where there was a good man there was a good woman, and that was certainly true, for unquestionably Mrs. Hughson with her sympathetic disposition had been the urge that had helped Mr. Hughson in both his private and public life, for he had done anything that he could to help forward the progress of the district. GREAT WORK FOR CHURCH. Mr. Hughson had also carried on the greater work of the Christian church, and particularly of the Sunday school. Mr. and Mrs. Hughson had high ideals, together with the courage to live up to them, and their influence for good was felt not only throughout the district but far beyond its confines. Mr. Green presented Mrs. Hughson with a travelling rug and Mr. Hughson with a travelling rug and silver-mounted walking stick as a token of esteem and affection from the residents of the district, on whose behalf he wished them an enjoyable trip, a pleasant stay and a safe return.

It might be asked what qualities Mr. and Mrs.' Hughson possessed to be held in such esteem, said Mr. C. W. Field. He considered that it was their three chief characteristics—high ideals, honesty of purpose and almost boundless energy. The name of T. P. H. stood for honesty of purpose, whilst energy had marked all his activities in both his private and public business over the lengthy period that the speaker' had known him. His activities in regard to the church were well known and were recognised by his having been given the highest position in the church that a layman could oc<upy. Mrs. Hughson was a woman of whom it might well be said that her value was above rubies.

Mr. G. Gibson expressed pleasure that they were only bidding the guests au revoir. Though not a member of the same denomination as Mr. Hughson he was pleased and proud to be on the same platform, as they had worked Together in the greatest harmony. As one of the prime movers in the Anzac Day services at Rahotu he would greatly miss his colleague Mr. Hughson, to whose efforts their success was largely due. Mr. Gibson indicated that it was intended to carry on the Anzac Day services in the afternoons, and he urged the whole district to continue to support them, feeling certain that wherever Mr. Hughson was he would remember them on that day. Mr. G. Prosser, whose family had been associated with Mr. Hughson since the days of the Armed Constabulary forces, added his tribute to the worth of the guests, as ( did also Mr. W. M. HiU, who resided in the district when Mr. and Mrs. Hughson settled there.

Speaking on behalf of the Methodist Church, the Rev. Penn said that he could easily speak for a couple of hours using Mr. and Mrs. Hughson as a text. He was pleased that they were not saying good-bye, as he hoped to see them back again soon, for they could be ill spared from the district. There was no need to recount the good they had done, as there was scarcely a home in the district that had not felt their influence. They had done good among all denominations by their work in the Sunday school and their home life. Their influence had not only reached the boys and girls, but the adults as well. Mr. W. H. Butler said there was an atmosphere in the home of the guests that made its influence felt; it was a pity that there were not many such homes. As a member of the Church of England and a parent he wished to thank Mr. Hughson for what he had done for the children of the different denominations, as his influence would be a lasting one. After greeting Mr. Hughson in characteristic Maori fashion Mr. Porikapa in the picturesque Maori tongue spoke feelingly on behalf of the Maoris. “It is with" sincere regret,” said Mr. Porikapa, “that we are parting with those whom we have learned to look upon as the father and. mother of the Maori people in this district.” Referring to Mrs. Hughson he spoke of the responsive chord in the Maori heart that Mrs. ‘Hughson’s motherliness had struck. Mr. Hughson had at all times helped the Maoris in’ time of need, and would always be remembered by them for his kindness. In bidding Mr. and Mrs. Hughson haere-ra (farewell) he assured them on behalf of their Maori friends that they would be there to welcome them back to Maoriland. Mr. Green said he had been associated with Mr. Hughson in many ways for a long period, and though they had not always agreed he recognised Mr. Hughson as one of the best public spirited men he had ever met. Though Mr. Hughson had not taken as prominent a part in public affairs as some others, whatever he did take in hand he worked at enthusiastically to bring to successful fruition.

Mr. Hughson in reply said some of the speakers had expressed sympathy with him in having to face the ordeal of a farewell. He thanked all the speakers for their kindly" expressions. It was 55 years since he first passed

through Rahotu, and a year later he camped on sites near Mr. Wright’s , and Mr. Maxwell’s properties and assisted to form the roads. He was thankful to all those friends who had given him letters of introduction to friends in Britain, which he would endeavour to avail himself of. A speaker had remarked that they were going away on a honeymoon tour but instead) of celebrating their golden wedding at Rahotu they would celebrate it in England in July. They would return to Taranaki. Mr. Hughson expressed pleasure at seeing sb many boys and girls present, as he had always interested himself in their welfare at Okato and later at Rahotu and Kahui Road. He ‘had. always done his best. He hoped the work would continue and that those left behind would be worthy successors to carry it on. Maori residents had that afternoon entertained Mrs. Hughson and presented her with a greenstone tiki. He thanked them for their thoughts, and added that though he had come into the district first for the purpose of fighting the Maoris, his business and private relations had always been very pleasant and he had always found them-good friends. - •

Supper was dispensed by a committee comprising Mesdames H. G. Clarke, T. Willcox, W. J. Butler, W. Waswo, A. Lowery, L. Billing, K. Andrews,’ T. C. Skeet, J. Ward, R. Inder, W. Hodson and Miss Sterry and a ’number of Bible class girls. The hall was later cleared for dancing, Mr. W. Bennett being master of ceremonies, and Malcolm’s orchestra providing the music. Tire committee responsible for the arrangements comprised Messrs. W. C. Green (chairman), T. Willcox (secretary), G. Gibson, W. Bennett, H. F. Annis, W. Butler and K. Andrews.