VALEDICTORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1919, Page 3

VALEDICTORY.

AIR AND MR H. WILLIAMS AND

FAAIILY

A most enjoyable evening was spent

in St. Mary’s Club Rooms last night,

• when friends assembled from near and far to say farewell to Mr and Mrs Henry Williams andi family, who are leaving shortly for Wellington. The proceedings opened with a concert programme. The following woro tho items:— Overture. Mrs and Aliss Gieso; song, Air Sid Brand; song, Aliss • Eileen Hatch; recitation, Mr Phil Kortegast ; duet, Misses M. Halliday and A. Stopforth; song, Mr Len Aldridge '(encored); song, Aliss Alarie Jones; song, Aliss Eileen Reid, song, Air W. Stopforth ; song, Mr Sid Brand. The accompanists for the concert were Misses Stopforth and Giese, and Air A. H. Lawn. On the conclusion of the concert, the chairman (Rev. Father Clancy) said it was most satisfactory to see such a representative gathering brought together on such short notice in St, Alary’S that night, to speed their parting guests, Mr H. Williams and family. The committee deserved every credit for tho enjoyable concert they had put upon the boards; the audience enjoyed every item, and would now carry by acclamation a hearty vote of thanks .

to the performers, Rounds of applause rung out iu respopse to jhis appeal, j A pleasing feature was the committee's j promptitude in being first in the field

~ ,—,— - „ tp honour one to whom so many were indebted. Father Clancy continuing, saitl twq feelings, he was assured, were paramount in prompting tips address and testimonial arising naturally from a review of the past. As a citizen of Westland, Mr Williams had shouldered many responsibilities, achieving a measure of success reserved to few. Ills long scholastic career was crowned with the unvarying success of generations of pupils wliosp character was moulded by his firm hand and indefatigable labours. His own household bears ample testimony of these fruits of his academic attainments as well as nearly every other homestead in South Westland. The annual reports of his school further confirm in uniform succession tho standards of efficiency invariably attained by h.a pupils. Pleasant as Ibis retrospect must bo the llev, gentleman reminded bis hearers they were especially thankful for tlm many services rendered by their guest whether in connection with St Alary’s of the past or the present, the Catholic Club, the Hibernian So- ( c iety, the erection of the Presbytery, j for the fact of being always to the fore ! to initiate or to push to a happy con-, elusion pvery undertaking, for these ( reasons above all others wore they es-, peoially thankful. Their sense of loss would he tempered by the hope that i» the long life which they trusted God had in store for him, ho would occasionally return to the scene of his youth ; to urge all to farther extend the Kingdom of God in West-land. | Al r Jas Ritchie, (sen) followed in a very appreciative strain, dwelling at some length on the early labours of Air Wijlianis in South Westland. As an old associate of bis toils he wished hjjn . length of years and every Mossing, Hi* ( concluding remarks ended in general j applause. Thereupon Mr. J. Ward j rose and read the address as follows: .

THE ADDRESS. Dear ALr. AVillaims.—On the eve of your departure from our midst we, the Cnthojjc parishioners of Hokitika, are assembled tills evening to mark by this address and presentation also, our esteem for your worth, as well as the sense of loss we feel at you departure. In doing so, we are only endeavouring to fulfill a duty that natural!' l devolver upon us from the keen knowledge we have of the many valuable services so willingly rendered by you in the cause of Holy Church, during a long protracted past. In the paths of peace *tis true you have shouldered ninny responsibilities and have thank God.’ achieved a measure of success reserved to few indeed. As husband and father your example has been most sain tarv. and the fruits of your scholarly attainments are manifest m

your own household as well as iri almost every home- j stead of Westland. But it is especially as a practical Catholic that we esteem you and appreciate your services: always to the fore in every good work, ready and generous to initiate or jpush on to completion every undertaking. It is on these grounds especially that we tire exceedingly grateful, and for these same reasons we anticipate and already begin to realise the loss which vour departure must naturally entail. In the long life which we trust God lias in store for your good lady, yourself and family, we trust you will occasionally return to the scones of your youth to review the past and to urge us to still further endeavours for the extension of the Kingdom of God in Westland.

At the conclusion of flic address, Air .J, Ala lid 1 presented Air Williams with a picture in oils, depicting bush sceiieiv on the old Christchurch Road, known “The Avenue”. On beliall ot St Alary > Club and Ladies Committee, a

piece of plate and an entree dish were presented to Mrs Williams by Air 0. Worminglon who very felieitioiisly expressed the feelings of all those presentAlr J. Ward as nil old pupil spoke very feelingly of his own indebtedness to Mi Williams as a teacher, and, <»a behalf of the Hibernian Society requested the acceptance of three richly hound volumes, the works ol Shstkes ion re, Scott and Mill on. The members of Lodge, realised what a debt o' gratitude they owed to Air Williams and be wished this small token to be accepted by him as a memento of his office in the Hibernian Society oi Hokitika.

Mr H. Williams, on rising to reply was greeted with tumultuous applause, lie very happily replied to the address and testimonial. He briefly outlined tlie various episodes of his life, declaring that though life to him. like to. every other man was an ordeal, yet in his instance, it was indelibly associated with the happiest of uioniones. He would always treasure the recollections ol Westland. Wherever his lot might be he would carry with him the happiest feelings towards-liis old friends of the Coast, hoping to occasionally renew acquaintance. His labours on behalf of tin' Church were labours oF love, ami iilt.hnm.di he expected no reward he

could not but express I'or himself, his wife and family, his thankfulness for the many graceful recognitions of his poor and inadequate services in such a holy cause. In any trials which tho good God might have in store for him, he would have recourse as in the past to the good people of St Mary’s assured of their powerful assistance. He trusted the parish would prosper increase and multiply and when lie would revisit t ! <> Coast he promised himself the happiness of seeing further evidences of sustained and permanent progress. After a very dainty supper had been handed around and when everyone present- had done justice to it, the Hall was cleared for dancing, the Dance music was very kindly supplied by Miss Marie Giesc (piano), and Miss Eileen Hatch (violin), with extras by Miss M. Tones and Miss Giffney. As the young hours of Thursday began to travel by, the gathering was brought to a close with the singing of Aul t l 1-nr Syne, and God Save the King. Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs \\ illiams. thus concluding a most pleasant function.