SOCIAL AT EVANS FLAT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XL, Issue 5596, 5 December 1908, Page 3

SOCIAL AT EVANS FLAT.

When it became known that Mr and j Mrs Bowman had severed their connection with the Bellamy station and were returning to their home in the north their felloAV employees and the residents of Evans Flat determined they should not leave the district Avithout receiving some evidence of the esteem they Avere held in by the people of Evans Flat district, and on Fz-iday night last fully sixty persons assembled in ihe Evans Plat schoolroom to bid them good-bye and at the same time entertain them at a farewell social. Mr W. Leslie presided and on the platform Avith him Avere the guests of the evening. The ehairinan, in opening the {yroceedings said they were all aware Of the object of the gathering, viz., to do honour to Mr and Mrs BoAA^inan on tho eve of their departure from among them. Considering the very short notice they had had of Mr and Mrs Bowman's departure he thought the large attendance, which was representative of all ihe families in iHe district, spoke eloquently of the high esteem in Avhich their gfuests avito held. It was only about 12 months since Mr Bowman had taken chargo of the agricultural work on the station for Mj: Mundell—a position Avhich Mv BoAVMian was well qualified to fill— and in addition to carrying out his duties on the station he had Avillin^ly placed his knowledge and advice at the disposal of the surrounding neighbours whilst Mrs Bowman hivd jilso erideared herself to all b}' her kind and sympathetic manner and her willingness to give a helping hand in all matters of a domestic or social nature. Under these circumstances they could not let them Avithout meeting -them, to say adieu,— he hoped it would not be good-foye^ — and to express to them the deep feeling of ivspect in which they were held. The people of the district Avished them health and prosperity in the future and a safe return to their old homo — (Applause, followed by the audience rising and singing " For they are jolly [rood fellows.")

Mr BoAvman, on rising to respond, I was greeted with prolonged applause. He thanked them for the honour done himself and family and said it was very gratifying and pleasing to thorn to feel that they had made so many friends during their brief but pleasant stay in the district. It gave him great pleasure to see so many present, especially of his fellow workers, Avho had proved a splendid lot of young men. They AA r ould ever have pleasant recollections of their sojourn in this district, an-d when they thought of taking a holiday they could depend that Evans Flat WOlllcl 1)1' first on the list. A very enjoyable programme of musical selections, songs, and recitations followed, the contributors to this being Misses Leslie, Woodhill and E. Biordau', Mrs Miskell, and ?.Lessrs Best, jun., C. McCann f (of Rocldan-ds station), A. Donaldson* J. Riordon, I and J. McLoughlin. The Chairman having thanKol £■!! who had assisted in the progr.nn nw .An excellent supply of good thin s was discussed, after Avhich The iroom was speedily cleaved and the light fantastic was merrily tripped till 3 a.m., the music being supplied by Miss Leslie while Messrs Best, Laing, and McLean divided th? duties of M.C. The singing of " Auld Lang Syne " brought a most enjoyable gathering to a close.