FAREWELL SOCIAL.

Wairarapa Age, 21 August 1934, Page 2

FAREWELL SOCIAL.

GATHERING AT BELVEDERE. (DEPARTING RESIDENTS. Last Friday night the residents of Belvedere and surrounding districts assembled to farewell Miss EL M. L. Hancock, head teacher of the Belvedere School, and Mrs. Gordon Hastie and family, long-standing resident® of the district. The function took 1 the form of a social and dance and the schoolroom was filled to overflowing. Mr. Dan Jensen officiated in his usual efficient style. Interesting items were rendered <by Mesdames Hastie, Birchall and McPhee and Messrs. Jensen and Irwin. The children provided several commendable items, including a recitation by Dorothy Garrett, a Scotch dance by Dulcie Archer and Nbline Booth and a Maori haka by Neville Archer and Athol Sewell.

Mr. Knowles, chairman of the Belvedere School Committee, referred in glowing terms to the .splendid services Miss Hancock had rendered to the children, both iji and) out of school and drew attention to the fact that the shield for the champion garden was held by the school. On behalf of the residents he presented Miss Hancock with a handsome travelling clock, a silver fruit knife with a greenstone handle and a gold-mounted jewelled greenstone brooch. Miss Hancock also received a beautiful bouquet presented by little Phylis Robertson, the gift of her mother, Mrs. Alex Robertson. Miss Hancock, who is leaving New Zealand, to resume her profession in London, expressed her deep gratitude for the generous gift, and her appreciation of the kindly thoughts which prompted it. She also -thanked her assistant, Mrs. McPhee, for her consciencious work throughout, the members of the school committee for their courtesy to her and the splendid spirit of co-operation (which had prevailed, and the parents &or their whole-hearted support in all matters for the _good of the school.

Later, Mr. Wilfred Thomas eulogised the many fine qualities of Mr. and Mrs. •Gordon Hastie and family who had been residents of the district for many years. Mt. Hastie has been stationed in the Waikato district for some time and Mrs. 'Hastie and family are about to join him in Morrinsville. Mrs. Hastie was presented', on behalf of the residents, with a beautiful eiderdown and rug for Mr. Hagtie and herself, and Douglas, Nolie and Nancy all received a book. Mrs. Hastie was also the recipient of a beautiful bouquet, presented by Miss Dulcie Archer. This also w.as the gift of Mrs. Alex Robertson.