ARAPUNI.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16750, 17 March 1926, Page 10

ARAPUNI.

Farewell to Mr W. A. Hegarty. On Friday evening Mr \V. A. Hegarly, who lias been general foreman on the Arapuni hydro-electric scheme for the last 18 months and who has been compelled to leave New Zealand on account of ill-health, was farewelled at a smoke concert held in the Recreation Hall. About 200 men were present, and Mr Uealey occupied the chair. Numerous musical and vocal items were rendered during the evening. Mr F. YV. A. Ilandman, agent for Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co., on behalf of the Arapuni workers, in presenting Mr Ilegarly with a gold watch, made reference to the sterling qualities of the recipient. Mr Ilandman said that he knew, and also the workmen knew, that in the departure of Mr Hegarty a man was going away who would be hard to replace. Mr Hegarty had always shown himself to be deeply concerned with the welfare of the men and spared neither lime nor trouble in looking after their interests, lie expressed the hope that Hie holiday which Mr Hegarty contemplated spending in Australia would at its expiration enable him to return once more to New Zealand. Mr T. Gavin, president of the Putaruru hranch of the N.Z. Workers' Union, said that he had been requested on behalf of the Dalmatians to present to Mr Hegarty a travelling bag as a token of their esteem and respect. He also said that they all hoped that, the departure of Mr Hegarty was only a temporary one and that lie would return at an early dale to again take charge of the men. Mr Hegarty said he was very much affected by what the previous speakers had said aboul him. He said thai it had always been his endeavour to do his utmost for the welfare of the men working under him and that, Mr Ilandman had always given him a fair ileal when approached on any matter bearing on this point. He had been told I hat no expense would be spared by the llrm in safeguarding the men engaged on the works, and he was pleased to think that the men had appreciated the efforts on his part to look after Iheni. lie thanked the men very much for their kind gifts. The evening finished up shortly afterwards, and Mr Ilegarly was surrounded by quite a number of friends for a long time wishing him all sorts ill' good luck and expressing their desire to see him back again shortly. Anglican Church. A social was held by the Anglican Church Committee to raise funds to complete the new Church. Over £7O was collected Dan-ing was mainly the event of the evening, but interspersed were songs by Mr Gasimrieh, of Puliruru, which were very much appreciated. Mr Sinailes, of Cambridge, also delighted the gathering with monologues. The local hit worked into one of these monologues went nil' exceptionally well. I'i'v. Ward, of l'utaruru, congratulated the coinniiltce on the sueees.-' of their efforts, and also conveyed the thanks of the Church to the willing workers who had the building of the new Church well under way. Electric lighting had been installed In the partially-completed building, and liev. Ward expressed surprise at the rapid progress uf the work lie announced Hi;.l, |he Church should hn called St. Michael and All Angels, and that the dedication service would be conducted by Archbishop Averill on April M. The various stalls did a thriving business in Hie selling id' cal.es, ,'lo'vers, el.'.

The iiii'sii: for Hif ilann's was :tih!rncl by llii' Sruptllli llivliustru. roiisisting (if Messrs IVrins jii-uin), F.dWUl'ds [c'Ol'llol . iinii I.it :.!lu!i'i. The inYiH'slra was augmented by llin addition of a violinist and suxuphi |i|-ivcr fniiii lliiiiiillnn. Tilt; iiuisii* was easily lbc\ lies! tM.it bad been beard in Arapuni fur soint! r.onsi.lpr;ihlo Mine Tho liall bad born l.ish>fnlly ilpc-oriilfil willi pver-grrens and biintin-. while an I'Xi-ollonl supper was served in a. UuiTel bj Ike ladies.