Civic Farewell To Popular Family

Chronicle (Levin), 30 May 1949, Page 3

Civic Farewell To Popular Family

5 * : " The Drui'ds' Hall was well filled on Thursday evening, when . residents of Shannon - and district gathered at a civic farewell to Mr. and Mrs. T. Sunley and Miss Shirley Sunley, who/ have now left Shannon to take up residence in Levin. Mr. Sunley, who was formerly in charge of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board's sub-station at Shannon, was a very popular local figure and his valued services to all-sec-tions of 'the community during his 25 yeaxs in Shannon were greatly appreciated hy the people of this district. Although Mr. and Mrs. Sunley left Shannon some months ago, the function was postponed, flrstly, because of the War Memorial Carnival and later because Mr. Sunley was on holidays soon after his transfer to Levin. Dancing occupied the early portion of the programme. The music being provided by Messrs . Tom East (Foxton) and V. J. Bateman. Items were rendered by Misses B. Miers and R. Cane (piano duet), Mr. F. O. Burtt (vocal solos), and Misses R. Thornley and M. Pescini, of Levin (recitations) . The duties of M.C. were in the capable hands of Mr. J. T. Bovis. Among the guests on the platform were Mr. an'd Mrs. Sunley and Miss S. Sunley, Mr. B. Clayton (Deputy-Mayor) , Mr. H. Seifert, Mr. J. D. Campbell, Mr. S. W. Barber, Mrs. C. Guerin, Mr. R. R. Lind, Mr. F. O. Burtt. Officials of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board who were also present were Messrs T. Vincent (chairman), F. J. Bryce (engineer) , R. A. Frederikson (managing-secretary) and W. Meddings (distribution engineer). Prior to calling upon Mr. Clayton, Mr. Bovis extended thanks to the artists for their most enjoyable items and to Messrs. East and Bateman for providing the music for dancing. In his opening remarks, Mr. Clayton apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. D. A. Fitzgerald) , who was away in Wellington and

had sent a telegram that he would be unable to be back in Shannon for the functionf Mr. Clayton then made mention of the excellent service rendered. to the community by Mr. Sunley, not only in his capacity as the electrical engineer but also as a pioneer in the field of radio iii the town. He also remarked on the wonderful assistance rendered by Mrs. Sunley, who had answered the telephone when her husband was out on a job, and she was always able to give information to those who were in trouble with their electrical equipment. In conclusion, Mr. Clayton wished them every success in their new home and expressed the hope that they would visit Shannon from time to time. Gther speakers who remarked on the sterling services rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Sunley were Mr. Lind, the local representative on the Horowhenua Power Board; Mr. Burtt (president of the R.S.A.), who spoke on behalf of returned servicemen and made mention of Mr. Sunley's excellent war record; and Mr. Seifert, who spoke on behalf of Federated Farmers, and remarked on the services rendered to the farming community during all weather and at any time of the day or night by Mr. Sunley. Speaking for the women of the district, Mrs. C. Guerin was high in her praise for Mrs. Sunley and the way she had co-operated and helped Mr. Sunley in his work. Mrs. Guerin also spoke of Miss Shirley Sunley and her ability as an artist. Mr. Campbell, superintendent of the Mangaore Power Station, mentioned the high standard of cooperation between Mr. Sunley at the Shannon sub-station and also the Horowhenua Power Board and the Mangaore station. Speaking on behalf of the settlers of Moutoa, Mr. S. W. Barher endorsed the remarks of Mr. Seifert regarding the service rendered to the farming community hy Mr. Sunley. Mr. R. E. Downes spoke as a former Mayor of the town and as an ex-farmer, and he also endorsed the remarks of other speakers. At this stage, Mr. Clayton called upon Mr. Sunley to accept an oak

elock and a cheque as a mark of appreciation from the people of Shannon and the surrounding districts. In his reply on behalf of Mrs. Sunley, Miss Sunley and himself, Mr. Sunley * expressed sincere thanks -to the people of the district and the speakers for the tributes which they had paid. He also thanked the public for attending, the various organisations'who were represented and the artiSts who had made the function such a success. Speaking of his own part, Mr. Sunley said that it had been a privilege to serve the people of the district. His task had been made easier by the co-operation of the public. He also thanked them for their patience on those occasions when he may have been delayed in attending to a job. Mr. Sunley paid tribute to the womenfolk of his home; both Mrs. Sunley and his daughter had stayed at home and given information over the telephone, which on many occasions had enabled the farmer to get his power on. He extended thanks to the personnel of the Shannon telephone exchange for the part which they had played iii making his job easier to do. In conclusion, he mentioned that Shannon was fortunate in having a man such as MxRogers in charge of the sub-station, and he felt sure that he would carry on the work and service to the people of the district, Mr. Sunley expressed sincere thanks to all who had contributed towards the presentation, and said that it would remind him of mariy happy years in Shannon. Mr. Bovis then introduced Mr*. Rogers, who has succeeded Mr. Sunley at the local sub-station.