FAREWELL SOCIAL

Waipa Post, Volume 45, Issue 3211, 2 August 1932, Page 4

FAREWELL SOCIAL

ESTEEMED PIRONGIA RESIDENTS.

MR AND MRS T. C. GRACE.

To mark in some measure the esteem in which Mr and Mrs T. C. Grace and" family are held in the community, and to express sincere regret at tKeir departure from the district, a fareweil social was arranged by Pirongia residents for last Thursday evening, and there was an attendance of about 150 residents and friends from the immediate neighbourhood at the Memorial Hall. Mp Tom Steel, one of the oldest active residencs of the district, had charge of the proceedings, and after dancing had been indulged in, and several musical items contributed, he referred to the special purpose of the gathering. All present, and many who had found it impossible to attend, joined in expressing sincere regret at losing such valued residents. Mr Grace had been a ready hard worker for any object concerning the progress and welfare of Pirongia, his activities continuing over many years. One of the outstanding achievements with which Mr Grace was connected was the provision of the Memorial Hall, and he was giving away no secret when he said that had it not been for the enterprise and enthusiasm of their guest that evening the hall would very probably not be now avail, able as tne common meeting place of the community. Another matter of outstanding importance that/had received Mr Grace’s close attention was the solution to the problem of waste lands in the township andneighbour-

hood. Mr Grace had never ceased in his representations, and his example had encouraged others with the welfare of Pirongia at heart to champion his cause. Happily now the problem was in a fair way to being cleared up, so that Pirongia could develop along sound lines, fitting to the calibre of the people and the quality of

the land and its situation. Then in the realm of sport Mr Grace had ever been an important factor. He had been an enthusiast, especially in Rugby football, and his good work would long be remembered. All would agree that Mr Graec had" done a great deal for Pirongia, and much of what he had done was only possible by the advice, sympathy, and encouragement he had received! from Mrs Grace, than who there were few held in higher esteem in the district. (Applause.) Mr J. Buchanan said he was proud to be associated with the community

in doing honour to so worthy a family. He had been a neighbour of Mr Grace for many years, had served with him on several committees and executives, and therefore had a good opportunity to judge his real worth. The speaker declared that in his long experience he had found nobody better to work with or live beside; and he felt Mr Grace’s departure very much indeed. Mr Steel then asked Mr and Mrs Grace and family to accept from their legion of friends a full set of Sheffield cutlery as a token of goodwill, appreciation, and good wishes for the future. He also asked Mr Grace to accept from the Pirongia Football Club a shaving mirror as a special mark of appreciation for his valued services as secretary and as a staunch ! supporter of the Club. Next he called j upon Miss J. Grace to accept a rope I of pearls from the Pirongia Basket- j ball Club, mentioning that Miss Grace j had played for Pirongia for two or j three years, and had been invariably a thorough good sport and a dependable member of the club. The Grace family were accorded musical honours, and then Mr Grace acknowledged the gifts and the warm eulogies expressed. He said that anything they had done, whether individually or collectively, had always been willingly done. He and his family would never forget their years of residence in Pirongia. and it would be a severe wrench to go to another district to make new friends. The wonderful spirit of friendliness that exists at Pirongia is probably not exceeded in any other part of the Dominion. He had come to Pirongia when a little more than a boy. and now had qualified as a member of the “ Grey Beards’ Committee.” During all the years he had enjoyed his tusks for the welfare of the district. He had, as Mr Steel said, had a very worthy guide and counsellor in his wife, who had denied herself pleasures many times owing to the needs of the district. But he wanted to warn his friends that neither Mrs Grace nor himself was leaving Pi-

rongia entirely. Some members of the family had decided to stay in the district, and that meant that their parents would be returning from time to time, when it was hoped to renew

the pleasant friendships of the past thirty years. However, the gifts that had been made to them that evening would be constant reminders of ex-

ceedingly pleasant associations. (Applause.) A bountiful supper was then served, and afterwards dancing was resumed until the early hours of Friday morning. During the evening Miss Grace contributed a pianoforte solo and the Misses Bell, Mr J. Pap.esqh and Miss A. Bell contributed delightful vocal solos.