VALEDICTORY SOCIAL

Chronicle (Levin), 14 October 1946, Page 3

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL

LARGELY-ATTENDED GATHERING Two of Shannon's most popular and highly respected citizens were extended a civic farewell in the Druids'Hall on Thursday evening. They were Mr. apd Mrs. Frank Thurston. For the past twentyone years Mr; Thurston has been connected with the Bank of New Zealand in this town, during which time he and Mrs. Thurston have made many friends. This was proven by the large gathering which assembled to bid thein farewell. Apart from many local friends, there were visitors present from far and wide. Among those present were Mr. F. Thurston, Senr., of Wellington, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Mortimer, Senr., and Mr. Mortimer, Junr., of Auckland, Mr. H. Hook and Miss Dawn Hook, who are visitors from South Africa, Miss McKendrich (Wanganui), Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Boyd (Levin), Mr. and Mrs. Witherow and Mr. Mick Moynihan, of the Bank of New Zealand, Levin, Mrs. Hocking (Levin), Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont (Lower Hutt ) and Miss Juin Leslie (Lower Hutt) . Apoiogies for absence were received from Mr. P. Hill, manager of the Bank of N.Z., Levin, Father Foley, Foxton, Mr. W. K. Roskruge, mamager of Bank of N.Z., Foxton, Mr. and Mrs. G.' Munford, Miss Gardner, Mr. J. P. McNeile, Cr. H. Aitchison and Mr. A. Gillespie, president of the Horowhenua 1 Rugby Union. The hall was stilJ. tastefully decorated from the recent badminton ball and the Hot Shots Orchestra was in attendance. The earlier .part of the evening was taken up with dancitig and at about 8.45 the aunouncement of the arrival of the guests of honour was greeted with | applause and musical lionours. J During the evening delightf ul items i were given by Miss Juin Leslie and jMr. J. D. Campbell. ! The first speaker to pay tribute i to the fine citizenship of Mr. and JMrs. Thurston was the Mayor (Mr. ! R. E. Downes), who stated that the ! guests of honour were leaving the district after twenty-one years' residence in Shannon, during which time both Mr. and Mrs. . Thurston had been connected with ' many organisations. Mr. Thursj ton had always been a willing ! worker of every club or body he had been connected with, and his departure would be a severe loss to those organisations. Mr. Downes went on to say that the popularity of Mr. and Mrs. Thurston in the i town could speak for itself by the i number of friends who had j attended the function. It was hoped that Mr. Thurston's health would improve, and that the outdoor life would do him the world of good. The Mayor. concluded by wishing Mr. and Mrs. Thurston the very best in their new home, and hop^d they would return to visit their' many friends in Shannon 4 as often as possible. Speaking on behalf of the business people, Mr. F. Peach said that the kind and efficient manner in which Mr. Thurston had carried j out his duties had earned him the ! respect of everyone haviiig dealings I with him. Mr. Peach also extended i good wishes to them for the future. Mr. G. G. Mitchell, speaking on behalf of the Tennis Club, referred i to the tower of strength Mr. Thurston had been to the club, especially during the lean years when membership had fallen off. .Mr. Mitchell went on to state that Mr. Thurston had been president of ithe club for many years, and had been a wonderful worker. While on the courts or in the clubhouse he was always the life of the party. He wished them both very good health, and hoped to see them back in Shannon and on the tennis courts as often as possible. Mr. R. Hook stated that it was his privilege to speak on behalf of the other sports bodies of Shannon, and pointed out that everyone knew the spirit in which Mr. Thurston had entered into the various sports clubs. He had been responsiblc for handling and collecting monies, and had earned the gratitude of every sports organisation in ! tlie town. Mr. Hook hoped that the rest would benefit Mr. Thurston, and lie passed on the heartfelt i thanks of Ihe sporting citizens of j Shannon for everytliing he had done. Mr. J. Edmonds, manager of the Bank oi New Zealand's Shannon branch, was tlie next speaker and he expressed regret at losing a frien.d and an assistant iu Mr. Thurston, and stated that he never had a more reliable assistant. He was very pleased that the bank had seen fit to release Mr. Thurston on retirement before the usual time was up. as he was suffering silently from a war injury received in World. War I. On behalf of Miss Moynihan and himself, as the staff of the local bank, Mr. Edmonds wished Mr. and Mrs. Thurston every happiness in their new home. Speaking for the Returned Services' Association, the president, Mr. S. W. Barber said that Mr. Thurston was a past president of the local branch and was a popular member of the association. He was a loyal supporter and had done everything to help returned men from both wars. The local branch would suffer his loss very much, and in conclusion Mr. Barber extended the thanks and gratitude of every returned serviceman in the district. Following Mr. Barber, Mrs. C. Guerin, on behalf of the W.D.F.F. and women's section of the R.S.A., joined with the other speakers in thanking Mr. and Mrs. Thurston for the work they had put into the organisations. Mrs. Wilson, speaking for the Plunket Society, said that Mrs. Thurston had always been a valuable worker for the betterment of the society, and had done much to keep the movement together during

the war years. Mrs. Wilson siated that the society had already entertained Mrs. Thurston at a farewell afternoon, but she wished to again extend the society's thanks for everything Mrs. Thurston had 'done, and concluded by wishing them both every happiness. Mrs. J. A. Easton, on behalf of the Women's Institute and the Moutoa Branch of the W.D.F.F., Mr. R. J. Law, on behalf of the Dairy Company, and Mr. C. Guerin, on behalf of the Federated Farmers, also spoke in high praise of Mr. and Mrs. Thurston. At this stage, the Mayor asked Mr. and Mrs. Thurston to accept a suitably inscribed barometer and a leather bowling bag as a small mark of appreciation from the people of Shannon and district. Mr. Downes stated that as usual there was a cheque to present to the guests and although it was not the practice to announce -the amount, he had pleasure in advxsing that this was the largest amount ever presented at one of these functions. Replying on behalf of Mrs. Thurston and himself, Mr. Thurston stated that he was overwhelmed at the magnificent function and thanked the public for coming along in such large numbers. He extended thanks to the various speakers for their kind remarks, and fn'entioned that it had always been a pleasure to serve the public of Shannon and district. His association with the various organisations would always hold pleasant memories. In conclusion, Mr. Thurston expressed the wish that if at any time any of those present were passing through Plimmerton, both he and Mrs. Thurston would be very pleased to have them pay a visit. Mr. J. T. Bovis efficiently carried out the duties of M.C. and a willing committee was responsible for providing a most enjoyable supper. A very happy evening was brought to a close with the gathering joining hands for the singing of Auld Lang Syne.