POPULAR HOST

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 9434, 4 October 1939, Page 2

POPULAR HOST

FAREWELL TO MR. F. J. MARSDEN MANY TRIBUTES PAID ••GOOD FRIEND AND CITIZEN" Tribute to a popular host was paid in st. Joseph's Hall on Monday coning, when occasion was taken to farewell Mr F. J. Marsden, licensee of the Golden Cross Hotel for over five years, who is leaving Waihi. There v.as a large and representative gathering the function taking the form of a smoking social. Mr E. 11. Patten who presided, welcomed those present, who included the Mayor, Mr V/ M. Wallnutt, Cr. J. J. Callaghan, the Rev. Father C. von Rotter, and Mr Marsden's successor, Mr J. Harvey Apologies for absence were received from Mr J. M. Wrigley and Constable M. B. Parker, of Te Aroha Many musical, elocutionary and •.amorous items enlivened proceedings and several toasts were lionour- ' a d. In the course of the evening a presentation was made. "KINDRED SPORTS"

In proposing "Kindred Sports," Mr 1 I Callaghan coupled with the toast ihe''names of Messrs C. H. SchraSTl . ~„l f) l Graham (football). I. ;: n ,,e' (tennis) and .1 .Mannix tbow l 8 ). All four games, said Mr .-allaghan, benefited the individual ■diysicallv as well as giving him re-

laxation. Messrs Schraftt, Graham. Cum. and-Mannix briefly responded. The next toast, that of the Licensing Committee, was proposed by Mr ML Boughton, and with it was ,o«pled the name of the Mayor, Mr Wallnutt. Waihi was fortunate. oaid Mr Boughton, to have such a re- | presentative on the committee as Mr Wallnutt. So far as the guest of the evening was concerned, he did no think the Licensing Committee had ver had to make any adverse commenl on the conduct of Mr Marsden s hotel The committee, added Mr boughton, performed a useful func-

ion in the community. On behalf of the committee and Ins own self, Mr Wallnutt thanked Mr Boughton for his remarks. Since Ohinemuri had been merged in the Thames electorate, he said, the juris rtlcllon of the committee had been „rv much extended, and a greatly increased number of hotels had-to he dealt with, the circumstances in some cases being very different. However. ,hev had his assurance that in the chairman, Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M.. they had a very fair-minded man indeed.

THE GUEST OF THE EVENING Father von Rotter was first called on to propose the main toast, that o): the guest of the evening. After a humorous reference to the "three PV—police, priests and publicans—and smilingly mentioning the close co-operation that was necessary between them. Father von Rotter said publicans as a class were very kind. people indeed. So far as Mr Marsden was concerned, he wanted to express his personal regret, and the regret of all present, that they were losing a man whom all had come to regard as a tric.ul. He could assure Mr Marsden that if he ever came to Waihi again all doors would be open to him. (Applause.)

Regret that Mr Marsden was leaving Waihi was expressed by the Mayor on behalf of the townspeople. Mr Wallnutt said that both Mr Marsden and Mrs Marsden had always been most sympathetic on any occasions on which their co-opera-tion in a deserving cause had been sought. Waihi, said Mr Wallnutt, was losing too many of its good citizens altogther. He thanked Mr and Mrs Marsden for their hospitality and help, and trusted that Waihi would not lose sight of them.

BR ESENTATION MADE On behalf of the Waihi Federal ' Band, of which Mr Marsden was vicepatron, the secretary, Mr J. J. Callaghan, endorsed the remarks made, and Mr L. M. Franchi, licensee of the Sterling Hotel, said he had always found Mr Marsden honest and helpful and he wished him the best of luck wherever ho went—a happy voyage and a safe landing. Mr 11. V. Gibson, licensee of the Commercial Hotel, said the guest of the evening had endeared himself as one of Wailii's best citizens and ad a good friend and colleague. "There will be two lots of doors —and windows -open to him if he revisits us," .Mr Gibson added, amid laughter. Tributes were also paid by Mr J. l'earce. Mr E. D. McLoay, on behalf of the Surf Club, of which Mr Marsden was a vice-president; Mr E. H. McCarthny. president of the Waihi branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association; and Mr J. Mitchell, on behalf of the same organisation. "Mr .Marsden has done many decent, and good things as far as this organisation is concerned." said Mr Mitchell After others had spoken. Father von Rotter, on behalf of those present, asked Mr Marsden to accept a set of gold-mounted military hair brushes and comb. .MR MARSDEN RESPONDS

In a feeling response, Mr Marsden, who was greeted with applause and Hie singing of "For He's A Jolly Good Fellow," said when he had been told that he was lo bo transferred to Waihi he had heard such., fearsome ihings about the town that he feared he would not. last six months. He had almost got the impression that the menfolk went round with a gun in their pocket. (Laughter.) However, lie had spent many years of pleasure in Waihi, and he was sure the friendships he had made would last down (he years. He could not have made better friends anywhere in New Zealand.

A very pleasant evening came to a close at a late hour with th-e singing of "Auld Lang Syne."