PLEASANT POINT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20611, 28 December 1936, Page 3

PLEASANT POINT

PUBLIC FAREWELL DR. AND MRS BENHAM There was a large and very representative attendance at the Town Hal when Dr. and Mrs Benham and Miss Pam Benham received a public sendoff. Mr M. F. Maze, chairman of the Town Board, presided. Dancing and cards were indulge in. Music was supplied by Messrs R. Lienert and Jack Teahen. Mrs R. Cliff contributed extras. Songs were sung by Mrs R. Cliff, and Messrs R. and J. Roberts contributed a vocal duet. Mr W. Crawford was M.C. The chairman invited the guests of the evening on to the stage, when Mrs Benham and Miss Benham were, amidst applause, presented with bouquets by Mrs R. Cliff and Miss Joan Greenall. A number of apologies were read, all expressing regret at the guests’ departure. Mr Maze said that from his own personal experience he could vouch that Dr. Benham had been a most thorough and excellent medical man. He had also been a good citizen, who had taken a great interest in the activities of the township. He had interested himself in practically all the sporting clubs, particularly tennis and miniature rifles. He had also served a term on the school committee, and had been a tower of strength to the W.E.A. and Drama Circle, and the R.S.A. Mrs Benham had not taken the same public interest as her husband, but she had been a great worker in the Plunket Society. On behalf of the Miniature Rifle Club, Mr W. Taylor said that Dr. Benham had filled the offices of club captain and president well and faithfully for many years. He was a good worker and sportsman and was always sociable and helpful to fellow members. It was with a feeling of regret that he realised that their genial president would not be with them next season. He wished Dr., Mrs and Miss Pam Benham health and prosperity in their new home in Wellington. On behalf of club members he presented Dr. Benham with an engraved fountain pen.

Mr Malcolmson, on behalf of the Tennis Club, expressed keen regret at losing the services of Dr. Benham, who had filled the offices of president and club captain for many years. He was one of the club’s keenest playing members and would be much missed from the courts. As leader of the W.E.A. and producer for the Drama Circle, Dr. Benham had been a great enthusiast. It had been a real pleasure to be associated with him, and chiefly through his efforts the Pleasant Point team had been able to win the shield on one occasion. At all times good marks had been secured for production. The Women’s Institute had much appreciated his help in connection with their drama competition, and particularly with his advice in the production of the plays. He then presented Miss Benham with a Schaffer pencil to remind her of her pleasant days in Pleasant Point.

Mr F. H. Friel, on behalf of the R.S.A., expressed regret at their president’s departure. Under his guidance the branch had flourished. The last year had been a record, both for membership and financial figures. As members had previously taken the opportunity of farewelling Dr. Benham he would content himself by asking Mrs Benham to accept an envelope with which to purchase something for her new home in Wellington, which would remind her of the Point Diggers’ gratitude for her many kindnesses. (Applause.) Public Appreciation The chairman said that Dr. Benham had taken a great interest in the Town Hall stage improvement, and it was appropriate that fellow citizens should farewell him there and offer himself, Mrs Benham and Miss Benham best wishes for success, health and prosperity in their new home in Wellington. He asked Dr. Benham’s acceptance of an envelope and asked him to purchase some present which would act as a reminder of his many years in Pleasant Point. On rising to reply Dr. Benham was met by the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” He said that for the first time in his career he was “scared stiff” on the stage. (Laughter.) He must say that Mrs Benham, Pam and himself much appreciated the extremely kind and flattering remarks of the various speakers. Anything he had accomplished had not been done from a sense of duty but for the pleasure of doing it. It was not until he was going away that he realised how many friends he had. He realised that a man in his job could not please all, but it was great to know that so many fast friends had been made. Mrs Benham had been a great help to him. She had not entered into public life, but had held the fort at home. This had allowed him to participate in his many public and sporting activities. He had greatly enjoyed his associations with the Miniature Rifle Club and would much miss the many “little stories” told on shoot nights (Laughter.) He had got a great deal of pleasure out of the Tennis Club, while his enthusiasm for drama had been the reason why he had done his best to help the movement in South Canterbury. He thought the gift from the R.S.A. to Mrs Benham was a charming gesture. She would always remember it and on her behalf he gratefully thanked his fellow “Diggers.” He was grateful for the kindly thought which prompted the present to Pam. She did not like leaving Pleasant Point, where she had spent all her school days, and she particularly regretted leaving the Opihi river, where so many happy days had been spent in the water. He could say from the bottom of his heart that be was sorry at leaving, but the course of progress in his profession demarded that one should not stay too long in one place. He would always relain a pleasant thought for Pleasant Point, where so many happy years hid been spent. On behalf of Mrs Benhtm, Pam and himself he once again thanked them for their presents and the kindly sentiments which accompanied them. Supper was then served and shortly after midnight a rery pleasant function concluded wish the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.’