FAREWELL FUNCTION

Chronicle (Levin), 18 June 1946, Page 2

FAREWELL FUNCTION

— MR. AND MRS. "BOB" FIELDING EJNTj&RTAINED A very pleasant evening, with a touch of sadness at the thought of losing two highiy respected residents of the district, was held at the Hautere Hall last night, when Mr. and Mrs. R. Fielamg were entertained py a large gaihering. The function, whicn had been arranged by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lumsden and friends, was attended by many residents oi Hautere and Te Horo, while Otaki and Levin were well represented. Among the number from Ocalu were General R. Young, president of the Otaki braricn of the R.S.A., and Mr. H. B. Edhouse, vice-president, while tne Otaki Brass Band was aiso wei'i represented. The major part of the evening- was spent in dancing, bright music being provided by local and district residents, while Mr. Lumsden was a capable M.C. S upper was served and enjoyed. During the evening Mr. Lumsden called upon General Young, as president of the R.S.A. to speak. oeneral Young first of all thanked uiose responsible for the invitation to be present, and then stated that he had known Mr. Fielaing for some considerable ti'me, and knew him to be a worthy member of the r.S.A. He had been oi great assistance to the organisation, and was known among the retumed men as the association's bugler. All members sincerely regrected that they were to lose his services as such, as well as in other directions. All regretted his departure from this district and a hope was expressed that he would return. (Applause) . "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" followed. Further applause followed when General Young asked Mr. Fielding to accept a fountain pen as a reminder of his days with the R.S.A.

Mrs. Synnott and Mrs. Lunuey, reoresentatives of the Women's Institute, referred in complimentary terms to the services rendered by Mrs. Fielding to this body, Mrs. Synnott pointing out how Mrs. Fielding had walked from her home ' at Hautere to. attend meetings at : Otaki. It was pointed out that Mrs. ! Fielding had many friends in the , district, who were sorry to know j ! that she was leaving. Both expressed a hope that she would return to her old home at Hautere, and show further activity in the doings of the 1 institute. Mrs. Fielding was then I presented .with a pretty shoulder | ■spray. (Applau'se). ; Mr. Pat Ferguson, on behalf of!t - the Otaki, Brass Band, referred to ! the splendid services rendered by j Mr. Fielding, stating that forty years ago he was a member of the' : Otaki Maori Brass Band and later conductor. At times, when the band was almost down and out, he was asked what was to be done, and his reply was, "Give it another go." All connected with .the band wisnj ed him health and happiness, and i Mr. Ferguson said it was the wish of all that Mr. Fielding would return to Otaki to again give of hi? services. (Applause) . Mr. Lumsden, amidst applause asked Mr. Fielding's acceptan'ce of l a cheque from, 'the residents of the : district. Mr. Lumsden stated that | the Fieldings were very homely i people, and anyone who called on them was assured of a hearty wel- ; come. Personaily. he regarde> \ "Bob" as a very fine fellow. All 1 were sorry that Mr. and Mrs. Field- : ing were leaving the district. In ; conclusion, Mr. Lumsden, on behalf : of the people of the district, wished : Mr. and Mrs. Fieldm~ health and ! happiness. ("For They are Jolly : Good Fellows" followed) . Mr. Fielding, who was receivec" 1 with warm applause, expressed hi.' | appreciation at the remarks oi ; General Young, of the R.S.A., and j stated that he had not done much. land what little he had- done he i looked upon as a part of his diity : He would look back to the times he i had spent with members of the : R.S.A. He said they not only had two good officers in General Young and" Mr. Edhouse,' but that the association possessed a fine committee. Better men would be hard : to find, and he hoped they would contlnue in office. Relative to the band, Mr. Fielding said that he appreciated the remarks of Mr. Ferguson. He admitted that he had long been connected with that organisation, dating back to 1905, when he first became a member. He expressed a desire to see the band progress, but he.realised how difficult it was to keep a country band in existence. He did not know who the new conductor was going to be, but no matter who it was he wished him every success. On behalf of Mrs. Fielding, he warmly thanked Mrs. Synnott and Mrs. Lumley for their kindly remarks. He also expressed his thanks to Mr. Lumsden for organising such a

function, as it gave him every chance to say farewell to many friends. Both he and Mrs. Fielding had spent many happy days in the district, and it was not because they wished to leave that they were doing so, it was a duty. Lt was possible that later on they would return to again take up residenee, and thus renew acquaintance with their friends. (Applause).