HUKANUI.

Waikato Times, Issue 12189, 26 September 1911, Page 5

HUKANUI.

(Own Correspondent.)

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL

The valedictory social tendered to Mrs McNicol nod her family in the Hukaaui Kail, on Friday, the 22n I inst., was attended by all the residents within a wide radius with the exception perhaps < : a few of the marc rcCEmc arrivals in the district. Mr J. Rkid-ell, of ch-e "'Woodlands," most presided and conducted a concert programme which gave much pleasure, the items being contributed chiefly by local talent including! Mrs Barugth, Miss Lovel, Mis 6 Lorie, Mr Hunter, Mr Lings, Mr Bollard and Mr Barlow, the Misses Parlor rendering l a pianoforte duet very pleasingly as an overture. Mr CamftUell nave a whistling solo which,very cleverly imitate;! lard music. The g>ue3t of the evening was attended !>y Mr Duncan, and Miss Elsie McNicol and other members of her famiiy.

At the conclusion of the concert programme Mr Rkldell presented to Mrs McNicol a beautiful piece of silver plate in the form of a salver, suitably inscribed, desiring her acceptance as a small token of the highest esteem and respect of the entire community of old friends, and neighbors. Miss Elsie McNicol was presented with a silver manicure set enclosed in a Morocco case, the chairman expressing in most apposite words the recognition that she had so ably seconded her mother's' good I work for all.

Mr Riddell also expressed the re-

gret of people that Mr Duncan McNicol w.as also severing his connection with the district and all were sorry to lose so progressive a fanner. The quality and condition of the splendid' stock sold at the recent sals, proved his ability most conclusively, and Hukanui was losing a farmer who was ably fitted toi mak© a successful career in agriculture. As a mark of their esteem and good fellowship the chairman presented to Mr McNicol a case of pipes. Mr McNicol responded on ■behalf of Mrs McNicol and Miss Elsie McNicol and himself, expressing their thanks for so much kindly feeling from the neighbourhood and hoping that frirxn time to time they would have tihe pleasure of meeting, and needless to say the years spent at Hukanui would always be a happy remembrance.

Later in the evening during -an interval in the dance programme a most unique incident occurred. Obtaining permission, the Maori chief, Nukutauruia, advanced to the front of the platfotrm and in the native languaoe expressed the feelings of sorrow and' desolation of his tribe, hecause of the loss of the " Mafcanikoras " (McNicols) for whom there was great love in'the 'hearts of all. The chief then chanted a dirge 'most wier'd and pathetic, telling of the woe of his people for the departure of their pakeha chief Dunakina Makanikora (Mr Duncan McNicol) and for the mother of the chief iof the tribe Ngatiwairere, who had been always good to the sick and hungry. Other members of the tribe assembled! in the body of the hall gave cries of assent at intervals during the speech. Later the Maoris, joining*with some hundreds of others, 'bid adieu to the McNicol family, thus closing a function which will be long remembered in Hukanui.