ST. ANDREWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18598, 20 June 1930, Page 6

ST. ANDREWS.

FAREWELL SOCIAL. A large number of the residents of St. Andrews district assembled at the Public Hall on Monday night to bid ! farewell to Mr and Mrs C. F. Higgin- ! son and family. Mr Higginson, who has been postmaster at St. Andrews since the new post office was built \ over live years ago, has been transferred to the Timaru Office, and takes up his duties at the end of the week. A pleasant evening was spent in dancing, cards, and musical items, the following contributing to the programme:—Mrs Joan Higginson, pianoforte solo; Misses M. Hutton and L. I Dellow, pianoforte duet; Misses N. Hammond and Ola Kennard, songs; Miss D. McCurdy, recitation; Mr C. F. i Higginson, song; Mr C. Hanson, 1 whistling solos. Accompaniments were played by Mrs Wimsett. Music for the dances was supplied by Mrs H. Wimsett (piano), Messrs H. Dellow (cornet), and J. Turpie (violin). Extras were played by Misses D. Kane, N. Hammond, D. McCurdy, E. Smith, E. O’Neill and Mr C. Hanson. After supper opportunity was taken to make a presentation of an Exhibi--1 tion travelling rug to Mr Higginson. Mr F. G. Martin, who made the presentation on behalf of the residents, ’ referred to the good service that had 1 been rendered the district by Mr | Higginson, and expressed regret that he was leaving. During his dealings 1 with the Post Office he had found Mr Higginson extremely obliging and courteous, and he thought it would ; be hard to find a more efficient officer. ! Mrs Higginson. too, had not spared ' herself in helping any worthy cause. She had been secretary of the Ladies’ ; Guild, and president of the local branch of the Plunket Society, and had taken a keen interest in the Public Library. ' He wished them both every success in their new home. , Mr F. Hanson, who spoke on behalf of the Caledonian Society, said that Mr Higginson had been a great help to that body, and would be a loss to the ' district. He wished them every success. Mr E. Hatton, on behalf of the stock agents, referred to the efficient man- ■ ner in which Mr Higginson had carried out his duties. He had found him always willing to co-operate, and anything entrusted to him had always been done. . __ , Mr D. France, speaking on behalf of the farmers, said that Mr Higginson : would be missed in the district. He had always found him a most efficient officer and most, obliging. I Mr McCurdy, chairman of the Tennis Club, said that Mr Higginson had always been a ready worker and the i club was sorry to be losing him. Mr H. L. Wimsett, who spoke on behalf of the Library Committee, re1, ferred to the good work done by Mr and Mrs Higginson and thanked them for their services. 1 Mr Hammond spoke of his associat tion with Mr and Mrs Higginson . in connection with the Church and social life of the place. He had 5 always admired the way in which ; they had worked and thought their 5 services would be greatly missed. i Mr C. H. Edwards, on behalf of the Post Office staff, said they felt they 5 were losing a good friend in Mr Hlg- - ginson. The associations with him , had always been most pleasant, and he had always been ready to help them.

Mr J. Kane endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. Mr Higginson. on rising to reply, was received with hearty applause. He thanked those who had been responsible for the evening, and all who had attended to bid him farewell. He fully appreciated the kind references made by the various speakers, to Mrs Higginson and himself, and anything they ■had done had given them the greatest of pleasure. In his official capacity he had come in contact with practically every member of the community from the child with a penny fpr a stamp to the old age pensioner, and although it was sometimes hard to please everyone, it was very nice to know that the public considered they had been .so well served. He fully appreciated the kind references made by the various speakers, to Mrs Higginson and himself, and anything they had dope had given them the greatest of pleasure. The Department was out for efficiency and it was gratifying to hear so many speakers using that word in connection with his term of office in St. Andrews. On behalf of his wife and family and himself, he thanked them for their very useful gift and especially for the spirit which had prompted the giving of it.