POPULAR DOCTOR FAREWELLED

Chronicle (Levin), 29 October 1946, Page 3

POPULAR DOCTOR FAREWELLED

SOCIAL AT FOXTON The Masonie Hall, Foxton, was not large enough to accoHimodatB all those who desired to pay tribute to Dr. and Mrs. L.- Bieder on the occasion of a farewell social last week. Representatives from Foxton, Shannon, Moutoa, Oroua Downes, Bainesse and Foxton Beach gathered to extend appreciation to the doctor, who for a number of years had served the people from these districts. Mr. M. E. Perreau acted as master of ceremonies and had the large gathering dancing and in a happy mood when the guests of honour arrived. They were greeted with applause and musical honours as they entered the, hall. A short programme was arranged for the early part of the evening and following a delightful supper dancing was continued until a late hour. At a suitable juncture Mr. Perreau called on Dr. and Mrs. Bieder to occupy the seats of honour in the hall. In voicing the regret of the community that Dr. and Mrs. Bieder were leaving the district, Mr. Perreau said that all realised the wonderful work Dr. Bieder had done for the whole district. The speaker mentioned that both had done great work also in connection with the Plunket Society. Mrs. Bieder was on the committee and the doctor. worked in an advisory capacity. On behalf of the settlers of the district, Mr. Perreau called upon Dr. and Mrs. Bieder to accept a leather suitcase each, a carved Maori trinket box and a substantial cheque. Mr. W. H. Bishop spoke on behalf of Shannon residents and expressed his personal pleasure at being able to say a few words at the functiqn. "We of Shannon are very sad at the thought of losing you," he said. "We are indebted to you for your professional eare and attention, but apart from that many of us feel that we are losing a friend as well. The number of Shannon residents present this evening bears evidence of that. We of Shannon thank you sincerely for your invaluable service during the past few years." Mr. L. Bowater, representing Foxton Heads, also spoke in glowing terms of the wonderful work the doctor had done for the district and coneluded by asking Dr. and Mrs. Bieder to accept a handsome table lamp/ Mrs. Short endorsed Mr. Bowater's remarks and presented Mrs. Bieder with a gold brooch for their daughter. Mr. S. W. Barber spoke on behalf of the Moutoa residents, and said that the doctor had won the he xrt-s of the Moutoa people. They all joined in wishing him and his wife bon voyage, and trusted that one day soon they •* would have the pleasure in welcomirig them back to the district. In delightfully picturesque fashion, Mr. Peter Reihana addressed the guests of honour on behalf of the Maori people. "I am not a good talker in the Pakeha language," he said, "but if I could speak in my own language I could say a lot. -I am proud to stand here tonight and join my Pakeha friends in honour - ing you. My people are very sorry you are leaving here. The Maori 1 people wish you well and desire that you take with you some remembrance of them. This wallet (a handsomely worked leather con- ; tainer) bears two photographs, the Maori on the outside and the | Pakeha on the inside, shoulder to shoulder as it should be. This J Maori kit is for Mrs. Bieder, and 'this Maori feather bag is for your ' little daughter. These gifts are ! from the Maori people, but from . my wife and myself I give you this s Maori ear-ring with our very best wishes." Other speakers were Mr. Shailer, Oroua Downes, and Mrs. M. Short, . Manawatu Heads. , Dr. Bieder received a prolonged - ovation as he rose to acknowledge . the presentations and good wishes. j "I am deeply moved by all your . kind words an'd these handsome gifts," he said. "Words cknnot - express my feelings and on--behalf , of my wife, my daughter and

myself, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can assure you that your words of kindness will be our most precious memories, and your presentations our most cherished souvenirs. Particularly also, I want to thank you for the manner in which you placed your confidence in me. Immediately I arrived in this district some four years ago, you trusted me implicitly and I cannot thank you enough for that. For my part,' I only endeavoured to prove worthy of that confidence and do my duty. But I felt at home here from the beginning and that meant a lot to mq then and it still does more than anyone can imagine. When I made up my mind to visit my parents, I-did not know how I was going to say goodbye to you all. All I can say is thank you one and all for your kindness, and I sincerely hope that somewhere, sometime in the future we will meet again. For that reason I will not say 'goodbye' but 'Kia Ora,' and thank you ever so much for your kindness." All joined in singing "For They are Jolly Good Fellows," concluding with three rousing cheers for Dr. and Mrs. Bieder. A very happy evening was

brought to a close with the singing -of "Auld Lang Syne." The highlight of the evening was the singing of the Maori farewell song by a group of Maori maidens.