VALEDICTORY.

Waipa Post, Volume V, Issue 231, 22 July 1913, Page 3

VALEDICTORY.

On Friday evening last the residents of Puahue met in the school to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs John Clark and Mr O. Price Owen. The gathering was a representative one and proved most successful, the evening being taken up with music and dancing. Mr J. G. Park, on behalf of the residents of Puahue, presented Mr John Clark with an illuminated address. In the course of his remarks he referred to the many good qualities of the guests. He had known Mr Clark for eight years, and during that time ..had always found him an excellent neighbour and friend. It was with regret he felt the parting. Mr Park then presented Mrs Clark with a solid silver tea service suitably engraved.

Mr Clark, who on rising was received with musical honours, thanked them on behalf of Mrs Clark and himself, and said he felt sorry that the time had come when he and Mrs Clark had to part with so many good friends. •He hoped in the course of time to be able to visit his old friends, and would always have a waim corner in his heart for Puahue and the Waikato.

Mr John Clark, on behalf of the residents of Puahue, presented Mr O. Price Owen with a handsome travelling rug, as a mark of respect and appreciation of those present. He wished Mr Owen success in his future movements. Mr Owen suitably responded. Musical items were rendered by Messrs E. Bedford and Owen, the dance'music being supplied by Mrs R. Kay, Messrs Bailey, Tye and Clark.

Mr Owen, on behalf of the visitors, thanked the ladies and gentlemen of the committee responsible for the entertainment.

MR OWEN’S FAREWELL. Despite the extreme inclemency of the weather last evening, there was a verv good attendance at the Kihikihi town hall, on the occasion of the public farewell tendered to Mr Owen Price Owen .immediately prior to his departure from the district. The gathering was a very representative one, there being residents from all parts of the district present, and this, in itself, was indisputable evidence of the popularity of Mr Owen and of the many friends he had made during his two and a half years’ residence in Kihikihi. Mr J. G. Elmsly presided, and during the evening, on behalf of the public, presented Mr Owen with a suitably engraved purse, containing twenty guineas. Immediately before he did so, Dr Reekie asked Mr Owen’s acceptance of an address of which the following is a copy : Mr Owen Price Owen.— On this the occasion of our public farewell to you, we, churchmen and citizens of every degree, tender you these expressions of goodwill and appreciation as a lasting token of our esteem and a pleasant memory of our associations. In and out amongst us you have passed now for two and a half years with a never-varying mood of cheerfulness and charity and readiness at all times and at every turn in the road to lend a willing hand and offer encouragement. Blest with a happy disposition, we have been happily blest with contact with you on the street and in the home, and whilst we can be no judges of your' inner worth, we have felt the warmth of a kindness that emanates only from a heart fed by brotherly love. All regret your departure, and recognise it to be a loss not only to the church of which you have been an indefatigable servant, but also to the community at large, of which you have been a worthy and respected member. “Time and change are busy ever, men decay and ages move,” and so it transpires in this small community we experience what is common to men and things everywhere, a parting of the ways and good byes must be spoken. “Fare thee well, and if for

ever still for ever fare thee well.”

(Here follow 50 signatures.) In presenting the purse of sovereigns, Mr Elmsly stated that the address was full evidence of

public opinion, and whilst it was

not intended to comment upon the circumstances leading up to

Mr Owen’s departure from Kihi-

kihi, one and all deeply regretted that he should be leaving the district, and wished him a greater measure of prosperity in the future.

Mr Owen, on rising to respond, was loudly applauded. He recalled many incidents which had occurred since his arrival in the district, and thanked all for their great kindness to him in the past Waikato had certainly maintained its tradition as being a most hospitable people, and lie appreciated the many kindnesses which had been extended to him. A minister’s life in Kihikihi should be a happy one, and certain it is that if a minister is not entirely successful it would not be the people’s fault. If he had done aught to assist in sporting or social matters his eflorts had been so backed up by all that his work had been made most pleasant. In conclusion he asked that the same courtesy be extended to his successor, and thanked the public for the gifts they had made to him that evening.

In the earlier part of the evening a most entert lining musical programme was submitted, the following ladies and gentlemen

taking part songs Mrs Marr, Misses Margaret Mackenzie (2), Burk (2), Messrs Galloway (2), Rule (2), Milroy, Oliphant, and Dr Reekie ; violin solos, Mr E. Moeller (2) recitations, Mr O. Price Owen (2), the overtures being played by the Bedford family orchestra. The accompanyists for the evening were Mrs Marr, Misses Margaret Mackenzie, and Herlihy. Apologies for non attendance were received from Revs. Clark, and Father Lynch, Mr Innes Jones and several others. A most enjoyable supper was partaken of, after which the floor was cleared tor dancing, and it was not until the early hours that the party dispersed.