Presentation at Prebbleton.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7179, 14 January 1892, Page 4

Presentation at Prebbleton.

♦- Moßt o£ the inhabitants of Prebb'eton assembled on Tuesday evening to witness the presentation of a marble clock and a parse of sovereigns to Mr W. H. Comerford on the occasion of his leaving the district after seventeen years as district schoolmaster. The Bey W. P. JKnowles took the chair, and read the following letter, which was signed by a very large number of subscribers : — " Prebbleton, Jan. 12, 1892. To W. H. Comerford, Esq. Dear Sir, — Upon the occasion of your leaving Prebbleton after a residence of seventeen years, there are those who would not have you depart without a word of farewell. Your School Committee desires to show its sense of your pastßervicein connection with the school, the library and in other ways. Your friends in this and neighbouring districts wish likewise to -mark their appreciation of the help afforded by your musical abilities to various good objects in days gone by. The vestry and parishioners of All Saints' Church have also to acknowledge with many thanks the efficient manner in which the duties of organist have been performed by you, not for the past year only but for many years. For these purposes, they have combined to ask your acceptance of the accompanying clock and other articles of your own choice, with also a purse of sove--reigas/.inl the hope that you will accept them not so much for their intrinsic -value, as for an evidence of goodwill on the part of the contributors. The Chairman of the School Committee (Mr Patchett) also desires Mrs Comerford's acceptance of the cruet-stand herewith as a token of his personal regard not for yourself alone, but for your wife and family. With feelings of deep regret that untoward circumstance have necessitated your removal from Prebbleton, the contributors whose names are appended bid you • farewell, trusting that your home, wherever situated in the future, may be in the midst of congenial surroundings, and that circumstances may be so ordered as to minister abundantly to the welfare of yourself, Mrs Comerford and your family." The Chairman, Mr Deal (Churchwarden) and Mr Patchott (Chairman of the School Committee) spoke of the good service done by Mr Comerford, and wished him and his family every success. Mr Comerford briefly returned thanks. General regret was freely expressed at Mr and Mrs Comerford leaving a district •with which they have been so long associated.