FAREWELL AT COAL CREEK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 6389, 30 August 1916, Page 4

FAREWELL AT COAL CREEK.

To Mr John Tamblyn. u: : pile ui tile Hiiu.,l ua'.ui:' of tile climatic conditions on .Uouuay night, - i. it nunMier uf i. .',,1 i.'rceK. residents assembled in the schoolhouse ii.r '.in- purpose of bidding farce eil u .\ir Jviin 1 .iiniiivi:. who is iein.nj the (liquid to taKe over it ijaKery business lie n;.;> piiifiiaseit in iiaichilh'i. I'ufur!i;n..ijy neaiv Miuivers of :hioiv sol in ji::U ii 1 the tfine many would bo prvparing I'm the occasion and the ''.ituiihiiic'! | of ladies was not so large at i: would otherwise have been, but it did not in any nay damp the ardour of those who did veinuro out and the social proved thornagniy enjoyable throughout. 'lite greater part of the evening wis taken up in progressive euenre, an iutorching tournament resulting in a vin for Mr 11. Craig, who tilled a wie-i'icy on the ladies' .side, and Mr J. Kirliwood. The booby prize winners were Miss Gordon and Mr Albert Manuel. During the game several music,'l items were contributed and added in no small measure to the enjoyment of proceedings. After a most enjoyable supper had been partaken of the Chairman, Mr J, Bennetts, said that when it became known that Mr Tamblyn was le.ving tile district thev decided that he should not be allowed to go away without some tangible token of the high esteem in which he was held, by the residents. Mr Tamblyn was born in Coal Crek and tie had known him since he was in swaddling clothes. When he stated that he was extremely disappointed their guest was leaving them, he felt sure he was voicing ilie sentiments of the people of Coal Creek .as a whole, and they were sorry lo lose him, more especially as he was one of a family so highly respected. He then called on Mr Tamblyn and asked him to accept a memento in the form of a gold albert. This the speaker <•011 tinned. Served to express the felings | of friendship that existed between tho [ recipient and the people of the district a-nd the value they placed on him. The intrinsic worth of the gift did not in any way represent their feelings towards Mr Tamblyu, but: it was the spirit in which it was given.(Applause.). Hefcrring to the recipient's school days, Mr Bennetts said he was a good student and a good school boy, and expressed the opinion that had he continued his studies he would have qualified for any of tho professions with the highest honours. His goodness grew with him and when he devfloped into youth he was one of tho best, taking part in all man-' ly games and recreations. In later years he was secretary of the Teviot Fruit Canning Co. In this capacity he possessod the best qualifications it was possible to have, and it was certainly not his fault that the company did not make a success of the venture. He had also asociated himself with functions of a social nature and had assisted in any movement that tended towards the wel- • fare of the district. Words (ailed to . express what, he would like to say about Mr Tamblyn. He regretted exceedingly i ho was leaving the district and trusted ■ that he would be highly sueessful in : the new business he was taking up. 1

Those blessed with his citizenship would be tho gainers and he would conclude by wishing him success and God-speed in all his undertakings. Before resuming his seat, the speaker also handed to Air I'ainblyn a lady s handbag for Mrs Tamblyn, a gift which served to show the esteem in which she was held and the friendship she had enjoyed in the district. The company then joined in singing " l'Vir they are jolly good fellows." Mr James Craig, who was asked to say a few words, stated he had known [ their guest since childhood. He conj tended that in parting with him they p were losing one of the iinest men that [ ever left the district. Mr Tamblyn had not one enemy and he could assure the . family they were taking with them the . gratitude and heartfelt wishes of all tho t people of Coal Creek. The speaker stated he was getting into the sear and yellow leaf himself, but he hoped to live , long enough to have the pleasure of meeting the departing ones at BalL clutha. lie could only wish them long , life and prosperity in their new sphere .'of duties. j Mr Albert Manuel said that as a | neighbour Mr Tamblyn was one of the best and his remark applied to all of | his people. The good feelings existing between them, lie attributed to the fact that their fathers were partners in i "lining claims and other ventures years ago. The goodfellowship that existed between them was handed down to the boys. The only difference, their parents had was in politics, his father being an ardent supported of Vinceut IPike while Mr Tamblyn supported Scobie McKenzio (laughter). However, they always shook hands after tho election and remained good friends. In- concluding the speaker wished Mr and Mrs Tamblyn every success in their new home at Balclutha. -Mr If. McPhail esteemed in a privilege to pay a tribute to Mr Tamblyn who proved himself to be a most estimable citizen. Ho had not known their guest so long as the other speakers, but he had been brought into intimate connection with him, after his resignation from the position of secretary to the Teviot Fruit Canning Co., and could bear testimony as to his integrity as a business man and a citizen. Ho was sure he was echoing tho sentiments of all those present when he expressed- the hope that Mr Tamblyn would be exceedingly prosperous in his now venture. In conclusion ho stated ho had great pleasure in bearing a small tribute to Mr Tamblyn 'a worth, Mr AY. Craig said he could only endorse what the othors had said. Mr Tamblyn and he were school fellows and lie had always predicted for him a good future. Born of a good family he was a man of good principles and his word was always his bond. Mr Hugh Craig testified to Mr Tamblyn's thoroughness as a man and in business. He was sorry ho was leaving tho. district as they had vory few men of Mr Taiublyn's calibre in their midst. However, he was seeking pastures new [ and lie wished h'im every success. He was quite sure he was not leaving one ' foo behind him and wherever lie may go •[ he was a man Who would always make I

good friends. Mr It. Toms said he and Mr Tamblyn had gone to school together, Mr Tamblyn was in a class above him and had been one class ahead ever since (laugnter). He then went on to refer to .Mr Tamblyu's successful career as a footballer. He had played half-back against the pick of Otago and in this position was amongst the pick of the province. He had also played cricket with not such great success, however, as football, through lack of practice, and wielded the tennis racquet with the best. He was also an ardent supporter of the cycling club, of which he was secretary for a number of years. Mr Taiublyn, who was a conscientious worker and a truo sport had the honour of being a son of the pioneer of the fruit growing industry in this district. In conclusion he wished him every success in his new undertaking. Mr W. Toms in a few brief remarks stated that the large attendance that evening in spito of the boisterous weather was a certain indication of tho high esteem in which Mr Tamblyu was held by them. He regretted very much that he had decided to leave the district as they could ill-afford to lose men of Mr Tamblyu's stamp. But their loss would bo Balclutha's gain and he joined in wishing them every success in their now sphere of life. Mr 1). MacPhorson referred to Mr Tamblyn's many good qualities and expressed tho opinion that he was perhaps doing a wise thing in getting out of the fruit industry as there was not a fortune in it. Ho heartily endorsed what the other speakers had said and wishod Mr and Mrs Tamblyn long life, health, and prosperity. Mr Tamblyn/ in reply, said thoro was an old saying " Bowaro of those who ( flatter you."—(Laughter.) But ho did not take the saying soriously althougn ; he thought some of tho speakers had exaggerated things a bit. Before going further he took the opportunity of apologising for tho absence of Mrs I Tamblyn who was not too well and on account of the rough weather found it impossible to come out. On her beh'ilf he heartily thanked the donors for tl;e presentation they had made to her and to himself, also for the kind expressions that accompanied them. Jla assured those present that Mrs Tamblyn and himself would value the gifts vory highly, more especially in view of the spirit in which they were gven. If at any time any of their Coal Creek friends | came to Balclutha they would be pleated to see them. Bofcrring to Mr MsicPhersou's remarks in connection with the fruit-growing industry he said he thought thero was no reason to be afraid of the future, while they had such men as Mr John Bennetts to safeguard it. The business he was taking up would be a change to fruit-farming, and he thought it would sharpen up his intellect a little. Life in tho towp would also be a change to that of the country, ; but he thought hfi. would try it for n«: time at least. In stressful times such as ■ wo were at present passing through he > idid not expect to receive anything ic ■the way of a presentation, the expres- > sion-of-goodwill being quite sufficient. However they would always value tho veryibigUy.

The company again joined in singing " They are jolly good fellows," followed by three deep-throated cheers in honor of the departing family, a most enjoyable function terminating shortly after with the singing of " The Natonul Anthem."