WAITOTARA.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19347, 30 June 1925, Page 3

WAITOTARA.

VALEDICTORY (From Our Own Correspondent.) A very large and representative gathering of citizens assembled in the Town Hall here on Thursday evening, the occasion being a public send-off to Mr R. J. Rae, stationmaster, who has been here for the last seven years, and who is now under orders to transfer to Upper Hutt, on promotion. The function took the form of a social and dance. Mrs Murphy, of Moumahaki, kindly supplied the music, which was much appreciated by all present. Miss Fahey, of Nukumaru, contributed an extra. Songs also were given by the following: Messrs G. Amundsen, A. Hutchison and McFarlane, Mr G. Mackin, a recitation, and Air Grove, a comic song. The singing of Mr McFarlane was very pleasing as he possesses a splendid voice. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Sam Brewer and Miss Freda Grove. Messrs H. Grove and Leslie Munro were M ’sC.

During an interval, Mr Fred Train, senr., took the opportunity, on behalf of the gathering, to hand a suitable present to Mr and Mrs Rae. In doing so he referred to the guest of the evening as a most obliging and courteous officer in his capacity of stationmaster. He also spoke of the great interest he had taken in anything that would develop sjffirt of any kind. Mr Rae, on rising, w’as greeted with rounds of applause. He thanked those present, and other kind friends, for the nice gift which he would always cherish and which would remind him of his many Waitotara friends.

Opportunity was also taken the same evening to bid farewell to Constable Willets, who is under orders to transfer to Aramoho. Mr Willets, who has been stationed here for some five years now, has been successful in maintaining law and order, but as we are a lawabiding community his duties have not been of an arduous nature. During the evening Mr F. Train made a suitable presentation to Mrs Willets and family. Mr Willets, on rising to respond, thanked all kind friends for their present and said he would always look back to the happy days spent in Waitotara. The committee w r ishes to especially' thank the ladies for the nice supper provided. DEBATING SOCIETY The weekly meeting took place in the supper room on Tuesday evening last. There was a good attendance. The subject for the evening was: “Shouhl Sport be Encouraged on Sundays?” Air G. Wickham was chairman for the evening. This proved a very interesting debate. All meetings in future are free to all, so everyone is invited to come along on Tuesday night when the subject will be “Press v. Pulpit.” Mrs Anderson will take the chair for the evening. Mr Frank Ellen held a clearing sale of his dairy herd on Tuesday last. There was a good attendance and fair prices were realised for this time of the year. Mr and Mrs Ellen are leaving for Christchurch next week. We wish them the best of luck in their new home.

Mr and Mrs G. V. Pearce, of Ball Road, arc about to take up their residence amongst us. We extend to them a hearty welcome. We should like Mr Pearce, who recently had a tour through the East, to give us his impressions on the Eastern question of the da'-- a ] so , his views on political problems. Sunday last was a most beautiful day and crowds visited the camp of the 2nd Mounted Rifles at Waverley Racecourse. One would have thought there was a race meeting on by the number of cars. “Your own” was much impressed by the conduct of the troops and the tidiness generally about the tents and horse lines. The canteen was all that could be desired, but “Your Own” missed his issue. The Queen Alexandra Band, under Conductor G. Buckley, played selections of music for some two hours, which was much appreciated by all present. Afternoon tea was dispensed during the programme. The racecourse is an ideal place for a camp. 1 was not very much impressed with the state of the road through Waverley township. I had the misfortune to have a blow out on that sharp metal and to hear what passing motorists had to say about the road there —well, I would not like the “city fathers” to hear. I am pleased to see Patea County are doing up the station road here.