VALEDICTORY.

Western Star, 3 February 1922, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

MR AND MRS A. N. HOLMES AND FAMILY HONOURED. A very large nuniiber of their friends assembled in the Otautau Town Hall on Thursday evening, the occasion being a send-off social and presentation to Air and Airs Holmes and •family, who are leaving the district to take up their residence in Dunedin. The function was organised by the Otautau District Progressive League, of which Air Holmes was the late President, and, considering that only two days’ time was available in which to make arrangements, must be considered a very successful one. Mr G. Sinclair, President of the League, said-it gave him great pleasure to make this .presentation of a silver tea service to Air and Airs Holmes, on behalf of their friends in Otautau and surrounding district as a mark of the cstcetm in which they were held, and in slight recognition of the many services l'euderod the district. Air Holmes had! taken a lively interest in all public affairs of the town while a resident thereof, his services given willingly and cheerfully whenever requested. Shortly after his arrival in the town he had given his services in promoting a concert for the relief of distress. He took great interest in the Fete, being Chairman of one of the Princess Committees. The great success of the Carnival was mainly due to his efforts. In the Coronation concert, together with Alios Kolmet;, he did l great work, and, although' many were pessimistic of t’ye result, by indomitable perseverence and great organising ability, ho made the Coronation the great success we all know it achieved. Be took great, interest in the last Winter Show at which resulted the best display of produce ever seen in the district. Air Holmes spent very much of his time ayd worked very,hard in connection with the show, as also with the competitions. He was the originator and the brains of the Competitions from, start to finish. He had been very keen in connection with all works of the League, and it had been a great pleasure to work with him as President. The speaker was sorry that Air Holmes and family were leaving the district as they had been a very great asset to it. In their new sphere he wished them long life and happiness. Air BV. J. Wesney said that when told' some months ago that Air Holmes was giving up business jn the- town he received somewhat of a surprise and a rude shock. It immediately struck him that the departure .of the guest and his family would Be a severe loss to the town. During the war a few had worked strenuously and had stuck’’ to their guns, but when Air Holmes arrived they thought they would have a rest, and Air Holmes had taken up the position lie had been, asked to take. He stepped into the breach andl filled 'it., with great credit. Al.iss Holmes also had been always ready to assist in every public function in every manner asked. A person, with her capabilities had a great future before her, which she could not attain in Otautau. He would ask Aliss Holmes to come forward and receive a gold bangle from the Otautau citizens as an appreciation of their good will and in recognition of the many services she had rendered them,. He trusted she would be long spared to wear the bangle, and hoped she would meet every success in Dunedin. Air Jno. Fisher said they had often .met in the hall to take part in similar functions, but he thought the present ’was one of the most auspicious in which he had taken part. The good time spent during the evening enabled them to 1 camouflage their feelings in losing a good citizen. Statesmen have their great difficulties and we in our little way have our own troubles to sqttle. Air Holmes came to the district at* a very opportune time, and it had been .an extreme relief to get a gentleman with his organising ability. He had a very. generous disposition and a kindness of heart, anci was ■never appealed to for help in vain. He was the class of mian who made for the benefit of the community. The guest and his family had entertained them to many concerts, in the hall, and he was sure no 1 one had wearied of them., Otautau was greatly indebted to this family for the uplift which music had obtained and for the love of music which had been instilled into %e hearts of many. The family’s departure, would leave a distinct breach in the community. He hoped the guest would continue to enjoy the love and affection of his family and the esteem of the citizens of Dunedin. In any case all would keep a kindly remembrance of their good offices and assistance, in the town.

Air AlcGill, on behalf of the staff of the opposition firm to Air Holmes, wished to add his testimony of the respect in which Air Holmes wars held and of the pfeasant business connections they had experienced. The guest and ho had spent six or coven' years together as commercial travellers, and the friendship- then formed util] continued. This district enjoyed the citizenship of three of the best travellers of his day ■in Alessrs Holmes, Lumsden and Aitchison. Air Holmes would carry the good wishes of his staff and himself in his new connections, and he* hopedi he would -soon work up from traveller to manager. Master AlilLs, on behalf of the school band, presented Air Holmes with a cigarette case in recognition of the good service rendered the band as Conductor.

Mr G. H. Stevens spoke on behalf of- the Bbwlmg Club and: the School Committee, of which the guest was secretary and a member respectively. Dr. Stewart also expressed, on behalf of the Choral Society and himself, their sorrow at the loss of the guest and his family, and wished them every happiness. Mr Holmes;, on rising to reply, was greeted with rounds of applause. When he came to Otautau there was a good deal of work to be done, but he thought that if a community Wats worth living in it was worth working for. During their two and a-haif years

in Otautau his family and himself had enjoyed themselves very much’. They were going .Way with sadness of heart at leaving, so many good friends. He wished to thank those who had attended in such large numbers and for the kind wishes *of the speakers, and the valuable presents. He especially valued the present from, the school band, and he was sorry to leave the lads. They were good- hoys andl fie had always received respect and .attention from- them. He hoped the League would carry op successfully m the manner in which they were going,- and it was his particular wish that the competitions would not be allowed to lapse. They had been very successful and had paid well.

Air P. Beggs said Aliss Holmes was rather bashful to thank those present and he had pleasure in doing so for her. She was leaving with the best respect of the citizens of the town. A social and dance was held, the supper being supplied by the ladies .present, the League paying -other expenses. The music was supplied by Air Jellyman and the vocal items, by Aliss Holmes and Alessrs Adamson, Coulter and Knox. A very pleasant evening terminated with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.'’