DEPARTING FRIENDS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 7055, 24 August 1911, Page 4

DEPARTING FRIENDS.

THE HOLWELL FAMILY

On Thursday afternoon between tiO , nd 00 of 'the leading citizens of Tomika assembled in Mr W. F. Evans’ )flice to make a presentation to Mr 'John Holwpll. Apologies wore received fom Messrs T. Buxton, M. I’., E. Gu-ttcn, F. A. Joynt, F. Saunders, C. Bates, G. W. Armitage, and W. G. Aspinall. Colonel Ilayluirst presided. They had met he said, to make a email presentation to Mi' Ilolwell. He had been here a number of years, first of all at Kakahu and later on at his farm on the other side of live river. He could not say he knew much' about Mr Holwell at first, but during the last 18 years he had known a

great deal about him. First of nil he knew him in connection 'with volunteering. He had risen from the ranks until, he became quartermaster sergeant in the S.C. Mounted Brigade. After that he went on until he was i> ('•mnand of the Mounted Rides, and had done excellent work all through. Then Mr Holwell had rented land from him, and looked after one of his (the speakers'’) farms. Ho had- always given him entire aalisfactilpu'— more than satisfaction- In fact he believed Ms Holwell had neglected his own interests to attend to tiro speaker's, He had always looked on him as "a straight-forward, hard-working well-meaning man. (Hear, hear.') He had done groat work for the Floral and Horticultural Society, and hoped that someone would step into his shoes, and carry on the work he had done so well. In the Borough Council he had done splendid work, and all he did was, from his point of view, for the good of the Borough, He was sorry he was left out at the last election, although he (Mr Holwoll)l might not be sorry, for being on the Council meant a lot of hard work and frequently a great number of hard knocks. He (the speaker) had a great deal of faith in Mr Holwell, so much, in fact, that he was getting h'.m to look after a property of his (the speaker’s), which adjoins his own. Ho had much pleasure, on behalf of the subscribers in giving him this small presentation, itw is a money presentation, because it was thought that he would prefer io nuy something himself to remind Uuu id his friends in the district than be presented with goods. He had very much pleasure in presenting him with a purse of sovereigns. (Groat applause.)

Mr Gunmen said as Messrs Cullen and Joynt were unable to be pi’e*»n f, he would say a few words on behalf of the Floral and Horticultural Society. They , all knew what he had done for the flower show as an exr. bitor, and by assisting' it Jinan l iaily. Often, after winning prizes he Dad not taken them in order 10 assist the Society, and he hoped Hat the people whp had sometimes complained of the number of prizes he carried off would come forward and Idl the stands as he had done. The Society would miss him very much. It was not only aa an exhibitor they would miss him ; they would miss Pirn greatly as a worker. , Many a night had he worked in the interests of ithe Society. Then personally he w'ould miss him as a neighbour and friend. He Was always ready pto help a friend. He had often placed his car at his (the speaker’s) disposal, and convsycd his guests to Te Moana. He was very sorry he was leaving Temuka for good for they could ill-afford to lose him. He hoped, in his new home he would be prosperous and happy, ‘A number of friends could not be present, but they all wished him well. (Applause.) Mr Haling said he was very pleased to be present at the gathering, os it afforded him the opportunity of wishing Mr Holwell and his wife ell prosperity in their new home. The chairman had spoken of Mr. Holwell's connection with volunteering, and it was in connection with volunteering that he (the speaker) chiefly knew him. IVheu he looked back on the pleasant times he had spent in South Canterbury, he (the speaker) thought some of his pleasantest memories would be in connection with his association with volunteers. In travelling through the North Island recently he bad 'met many former South Canterbury men. and they were all discontented /(iLiaugHhe ter. It was all very well, they said, but there is no place like South Canterbury! and ho hoped that in time to come Mr Holwell would come back. (Applause). Mr Mclpnea said he was very sorry that Mr Holwell was about to leave them. He had been connected with him in various ways. They did not always agree (the Temuka breakwater was a ease in point), but that made no difference in their friendship.He was the type of man they wanted on their local bodies. But he had not only been associated with him on local bodies; he had worked for him, and he had found him a “white man,” prepared to give a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s labour. He wished him and his wife and family all prosperity. (Applause..) Mr Twomey wished to express bis great regret at the departure from fl'e muka of such a useful member of society as Mr Holwell, He believed there was no presentation in which he had taken greater pleasure than this. When he heard .that a presentation was to be made to Mr Holwell at Seadown be' tried to get in but was too late. They • would not permit him to join in the presentation made by the Terminating Building Society, but in this he had been allowed to contribute his mite and he was very glad. Mr Holwell had been an extremely useful member of the Society. He did not soar into high places, bul wherever he went he brought great energy and perseverance. and more than an average amount of intelligence in any work he took in hand. He had been the life and soul of the flower show, and several times lie believed it would have failed through but for him. Not only was lie a subscriber, hut bo had on occasions given back his prizes to the rfoovty. He was afraid the Society would suffer very much from Mr Holwell’s departure from the district. He was a nice agreeable man to me"t anywhere, always ready to do a friend a good turn. He wisarJ hiu every luck m his new homo, hoped that he would prosper to the Full extent of his expectations, and later on lie would come back to Temuka. (Applause.) Mr IV. TI. Brown (manager Bank N T .£.) endorsed what had been said. Wlinte vor he took in hand he worked hard for. The Floral Society would no doubt live, but he did not think it would live as well, for lie had been its ■mainstay for 10 years. He hoped Mr Holwell would never regret leaving Sou (It Canterbury, though he (tho speaker) always held that Temuka could not bo beaten for many things. FTe hoped Mr Holwell would sneeeed, and that hr* believed was the wish of all .present. Mr Ilancox (chairman Temuka Tor-

minating Building Society) regretted that Mr Ilolwell was leaving Tomuka. He looked on him as one of his best friends. In nil his dealings with him he had found him thoroughly upright, and he regretted they wore losing a man of his stamp. It had been in the Building Society that ho had been clyclly connected with him, and Mr Holwell had always done his best for it. Ho hoped Mr Holwell and his wife and family would have all health and prosperity in their new home, and that in the end they would return to 'Temuka. (Applause.)

Mr Jus. McLean said ho was very pleased to endorse what had been said. He could sympathise with .Mr Itolwell as one of the rejected Councillors, for lie was one himself. He had no doubt ho felt exceedingly pleased. lie had known Mr llolwell for six years as a member of the Council, and had always found him to have the courage of his convictions, and always ready to express his opinions. lie never sat on a fence. He was chairman of the Visiting Committee of the Dbraaiu Board, and had done valuable work for it. He had done many things for it at his own expense, and ho believed very few knew this. He did not look for any kudos, but did these things simply as a duty. Ho was very glad to testify to his good qualities, and regretted very much that he was going away. He hoped he and his wife and family would be happy in their new home. (Applause.) Mr J. Ashwell said he had served with- Mr Holwcll on the Council, seen Ids work in the park, and known him as a neighbour, and had business dealings with him, and he could thoroughly endorse all that had been said. He greatly regretted Mr Holwell was going, and wished him and his wife and family every success. (Applause.) Mr Monahan said so much had been said, and well said, that there was little left to say. His sentiments were the same as those expressed. He had not only taken an interest in the flower show, but all shows, and in I sports of all sorts as well. He was i always ready to help everyone he knew. He wished him all success, and when he was tired of the North Island he could come back to Temuka I and go back on the Council again. (Applause.) M'r Holwell was greeted with loud applause on rising to reply. He was very sorry to leave South Canterbury, but he thought perhaps a change was a good thing in a man’s life. Some of them knew that ho had not been too well of late years. He had felt the winter very much, and thought he would have a change. He did not know how to reply to the bind things that had been said. He had always tried to do his best for the town/ but he had only done what he considered every man’s duty to the place he lived in, that was to help it along. In the Borough Council he did his best. He had got a lot of pleasure out of his work in the Council and Park Board. It had given him great pleasure to do what he could to improve the park, and ho did not know that he had done more work in the Council than any other member. If they disagreed in the Council sometimes, ns Mr Mclnncs had said, they were good friends immediatler the meeting. The Council had all done their best. As to the “break water,” he had nothing to regret. As chairman of the Works Committee he had to do what the Committee wanted, and the stand ho look was to uphold the engineer. H they-went away from the engineer’s advice, they did not know where they were. If what he heard was true, lie ought to do well in his now home, ami he knew ho had the good wishes .of all present. He and his wife and family would always remember them. In regard to the present, there would be something bought with it that would act as a reminder of their South Canterbury friends. He was glad he was going to have Colonel Hayhurst as a neighbour, and he hoped that in years to come ho would still retain their ic" spent and goodwill. (Applause.) All joined in singing “For lie’s a jolly good fellow,” and this terminated the proceedings. THE MJAHINE HUCKEiY .CLUB. One of the pleasantest gatherings held in Temuka came off on Tuesday evening, the kuahine Hockey Club having issued -about 100 invitations to -a farewell social to the Misses Holwell. Nearly everyone accepted- the invitations which showed the popularity of the girls. Dancing -was the chief amusement of the evening, and, to good music supplied by I ackson's Band and an excellent dance floor, the, gu-esta spent a pleasant time. Mr Ajrt-hur Smith ably carried out the duties of M.C. Extra -waltzes were played by Messrs Coira and Clemens. Shortly before 10 o’clock a very pleasant little ceremony was preformed.

Miss 11. -Thomson said she had been ashed on behalf of the lluahine Ladies’ Hockey Club to make a presentation to two of their most valued players —the Misses Holwcll. As they no doubt were aware they were leaving the district to settle in the North Island. They sincerely regretted their departure, and in making this presentation to them they did so knowing that the presents themselves, while of small intrinsic value, would serve to revive thoughts of the happy times spent in Temuka. Of the good (pi a lilies of the Misses Holwoll she need say very little—their behaviour on the field of play, as in the town itself, had proved conclusively that they were real ladies. By their courteous manners and pleasant ways, coupled with their desire to do what they could to forward the interests of the lluahine Hockey Club, they leave vacancies which will bo hard to 1111. The good wishes of the whole assemblage there, together with many who were not there, would go with the Misses llolwcll to their new home in the North Island. 'They would all be delighted to hear of their future success, and should they ever return to this district they would find a right royal welcome awaiting them. Addressing the Misses Holwell she said : In presenting these presents to yon, I hope you will not think of the value of the presents themselves, so much as the good wishes of the givers. Me wish you well. Good luck (o both of yon. (Applause.) Miss Thomson then, amidst ‘applause presented Miss Isa and Miss Bessie Holwoll each with a pretty silver manicure set.

Miss M. Connell, in an eulogist io speech referred lo the very valuable support rendered by the Ilolwcll family to the tßuahmo Hockey Club. Not only in the fields of play liy tho .Misses Ilolwcll, but also by Mr Ilolwell, who had at all times bi'im willing to help tho Club in any way ho oonld. 'l'ho members of tho Rnahihu Club foil very much I ho departure from amongst them of such able sup-

j orters as the Holwell family. She .trusted that younger players would [do I their best to till the vacancies caused by the retirement of the Misses nolI wells. Miss Council referred to the j Club’s position, tracing it from its infancy to the present day, the re cord showing that the success of the Club was in it groat measure due to line able assistance and co-operation rendered by Lite members of the Holml! family. Who concluded by wishing Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Holwell and family every success, happiness and prosperity l n their ‘ new home. .She truseed that they woul be as popular in the North Island as fhey lut’d been in the leniuka district, and hoped that at some future time (hey would return to Temuka, '(Applause).

Mr Holwell, in replying cm behalf of his daughters, Mrs Holwell, and himself thanked the, speakers for their kindly expressions and good wishes. He also thanked the members of the Club fo.r their presents to Ins daughters. These, he was sure, they would prize highly, and 'would remind them of,many happy hours spent with the 1 r fellow ’members. What little assist-' ante he had been able to render to the ISuahlno Club had been done with (he greatest pleasure to himself. Ho hoped that the Club would continue to prosper and that when he visited Temuka they would bo the holders the shield. He concluded by again thanking them for their kindly expressions, and assured them that they would never forget them. (Applause). All joined in singing "For they are jolly good fellows.” Dancing was then resumed for a few hours. To 'ihe success of the evening much credit Is 'duo to Mrs Shiels (secretary) and Miss Thomson (captain), who were untiring in kheit efforts to see that all enjoyed themselves. The singing of Auld Lang Syne” terminated the social.