VALEDICTORY.

Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16800, 31 May 1926, Page 5

VALEDICTORY.

mr. Mcelroy farewelled. COMPLIMENTARY DINNER. LOCAL BODY POLITICS. On Saturday evening, at the Royal Hotel, Mr H. T. G. McElroy, who leaves Thames to-morrow for Auckland after nine years’ residence as Clerk to the Thames County Council, was tendered a complimentary dinner by local body heads, officers and friends. The gathering, which numbered thirtyfive, was characterised by the utmost good-fellowship, from Mr C. J. Garland's welcome, on behalf of the committee, to the enthusiastic honouring of the final toast, the health of Mr E. Walton, chairman of the Hauraki Plains County Council, who presided. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs R. Coulter, F. H. Claxton, J. C. Miller, H.' Vollemaere, and A. E. L. Dodd. Proposing the toast o” “Our Guest,” Mr Walton said that Mr McElroy had earned a very high place in the regard and esteem of the community. He was everywhere acknowledged as a tactful, energetic and careful secretary, and a keen debater, as the speaker knew to his sorrow and discomfiture. (Laughter.) They rejoiced to know that their guest would find fuller scope for these very good qualities in Auckland, though regretting his departure from Thames. They all sincerely wished him the very best of luck in Auckland, and could assure him of a hearty welcome whenever he should revisit Thames. (Loud applause.) In the course of a happily-worded reply, Mr McElroy said those present had thoroughly succeeded in making him regret his departure. He thanked them most sincerely for their good wishes and kindly consideration, and for the honour they had paid him that evening would ever be his dearest memory. He had become a fullyfledged “Thames Old Boy,” ■ because they had made him love Thames and its people. Referring to the progress of Thames, Mr McElroy pleaded for a greater degree of tolerance and the shunning of parochialism in local body politics. Rather should they giye way to the other fellow at times, and not hesitate to lay their cards oh the table. Thus would they be better able to pull together for the benefit of the whole district. (Applause.) Mr McElroy concluded, by paying a graceful compliment to Mr E. Walton on his election to the chairmanship of the Hauraki Plains County Council,

The introduction .of several originkj features in the proposal and response to a short toast list, added to the evening’s enjoyment which was fur-, ther enhanced by vocal items from Messrs Briggs, Bongard, Galloway and Scrimgeour, the latter presiding at the piano. Mr F. Basham also related some after-dinner stories in inimitable style. The toast-list was as follows: “Local Body Slaves,” Messrs F, Basham—G. Tonge; “Our Guest,” Messrs E. Walton —H. T. G. McElroy; “Public Opinion,” Messrs E. Mahoney—C. R. Cooke; “The New Clerk,” Messrs McElroy—D. Mackay; “The Chariman,” Messrs Mackay—Walton; “Our Host,” Messrs V. Sanders —C. Flett. Doidge’s orchestra was responsible for the earlier musical portion of the programme.