OTOROHANGA.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 1, 18 April 1911, Page 3

OTOROHANGA.

On Wednesday last a farewell and complimentary social was tendered to Sergeant Fraser and his wife, prior to their departure for Auckland, to which place Sergeant Fraser has been transferred owing to his promotion. There was quite a record gathering, and the hall was beautifully decorated with curtains, flowers, ferns, etc., and the stage being arranged as a drawing-room. never looked better. During the evening Sergeant Fraser was presented with an illuminated address signed by all those connected with the Court. In presenting the address, Mr Wm Vicary said he had been a J.P. for 19 years, and he had never met in that time a constable who had shown more courtesy r.nd civility to all these interested in Court matters from the Bench down to tbe prisoners. Mr Vicary then read the address, which reads as follows :

Otorohanga, I2th April, 191 T. To Sergt. D. C. Fraser, Dear Sir — -We, the undersigned, knowing you are leaving Otorohanga after a residence of some ten years, wish to take this opportunity of expressing our good wishes for you and yours on leaving here for your new district. We may add that all our relations with you have been pleasant in the extreme, and that on every occasion in your official capacity we have met with uniform courtesy, and trust that equally pleasant relations will exist in your new district, and that ycu meet with many friends and good comrades. Signed by all the Justices of the Peace and solicitors practising in Otorohanga. Mr C. Johnson, J.P., in a few well-chosen remarks, quite agreed with all Mr Vicary had said. He had been on the Bench when Constable Fraser arrived in the district, and had always found him a zealous officer and a good citizen. Mr Jno. Ormsby said there was nothing that'made.a man so helpless as flattery and telling him how good he was. Therefore, he was not going to lay it on too thick in Sergeant Fraser's case.

lie might say that in his official capacity as licensed interpreter, he had many dealings with the Court of which many people were unaware, and he had had his corns trodden on by different constables, but Sergeant Fraser had such a gentlemanly way of treading on one's corns that it made it ahrfost a pleasure. He was sorry that Otorohanga was to lose the services of such a valuable officer, but was pleased that Sergeant Fraser had received .promotion, and felt sure be would ably acquit himself in his new position. He had not yet mentioned Mrs Fraser, but she could rest assured that he had been thinking of her during the evening, and he felt sure that having such a good helpmate had gene a long way in helping Sergeant Fraser to climb the* ladder so quickly. He understood that Mr Fraser was the youngest sergeant in the Auckland province. He had very great pleasure in presenting Mrs Fraser on behalf of the residents of Otorohanga with this beautiful tea and coffee service and salad bowl, and he wished them all sorts of good luck and prosperity. He would now ask Tukua Eketona to make a few remarks on behalf of the Maoris, and he would translate for the benefit of the pakehas. After Tukua had extended greetings, Sergeant Fraser thanked them all on behalf of his wife for the very beautiful presents that had been given. He had no idea until that night that they had so man)' - friends in Otorohanga. He had always tried to do his duty to the best of his ability. He was pleased that Tukua had spoken. Although prior to his coming here nine years ago he knew nothing of the Maoris, lie had always got on well with them. " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow " was then sung lustily, and dancing was proceeded with, and, the floor being in excellent order, was greatly enjoyed. Music was supplied by Mesdames Holden and Whyte and Mr Jacobsen. An excellent supper was provided by the ladies, and terminated a very pleasant evening.

Land agents report very good business here lately, and quite a number" of town sections and farms have changed hands, among the'latter being Messrs Burchill's, Ba-ker's, Moneys and Roigard's, and Win tour's, as well as a number of leases direct from natives. Messrs Money and Roigard are holding a clearing sale on May 2nd.

Mr Clayton has taken over the large boarding house near the railway station, and travellers have to be content with shakedowns, the house is so fill'. Numbers of people are taking advantage of the cheaper railway fare*, and are having a look round for farm-. Since the new Waitonio road has been opened to Otorohanga it has become very popular on account of the nice grade, and : s very much shorter than the old route to the Waitomo caves.