VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4420, 29 May 1922, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

MF. AND MRS. T. FJ McMILLAN;

Mr. and Mrs. T. E. McMillan left by express this morning, bound for Lees-, ton. Canterbury.

Mr McMillan has fpr the past eighteen months occupied the position of editor anti advertising manager of the “Hauraki Plains Gazette,” but was c bliged to relinquish the post fgr family reasons.. His brother, Mr J. H. M'cMiilan, editor and proprietor of “The Ellesmere Guardian,” Leeaton, Canterbury, having suffered a breakdown in. health, Mr T. E. McMillan was sent for to take charge of. the paper.

We learn from outside sources that ■at ti c meetings’ of several local bodies in the district recently some very eulogistic references were made to Mr. McMillan’s journalistic work while editing the “Gazette,” the tenour of all the speeches beipg that Mr. McMillan, by his vigorous, fearless, and judiciously optimistic pen had done a great deal to further the progress of the town and district, aui especially in creating among the despondent ones and the waverers a lively and well-founded faith in the progressive future in store for this promising land. Particular stress' was laid on the fact that Mr. McMillan strove with great energy and persistence to bring about co-operation between the people of Paeroa and the residents of the Hauraki Plains. This object, along with that river navigation, were .with him aims that all others had to “play •second fiddle” tp. He ha I unbounded faith JLn the future of the Plains, and in reply to a eulogy at a meeting of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce, said there were two things that he would have liked to remain in Paeroa another flew years to do battle for, the one being tp “throw” a railway across to Waitakaruru at least, and the other to see a road and canal across to Patetonga landing. These two projects, in his .opinion (which we have always held and heartily endorse), w'ere the most vitally im’portaht ones for the development of the whole district,, in addition to the projects aboyenientioned.. Mr. McMillan’s modesty would not' permit him. to report complimentary remarks in reference to himself, so we have only been able to give the gist of the valedictory comments as secured second-hand. Among the local bodies referred to are the following: Thames County Council, chairman, Cr. H. Lowe; Paeroa Borough Council, Mayor, Mr.. P. E. Brenan; Paerop. Chamber, of Commerce, president, Mr. E. W. Por.ritt; Paeroa District High School Committee, chairman, Mr. W., H. Taylor; Paeroa Beautifying and, Improvement. Society, president, Mjr, J. L Hanna; Thames Valley Returned , Spldiprs’. Association, , president, Mr. Walmsjey. • . ;! ,

' MR AND: 31 RS; ARCH. WHITE. .... ■: :-(i b*'.'f •fi I -■ , ~ As a fitting farewell to one of', its charter members,.and its vice-presi-ident, the Ohfinemuri. Club gendered a social ievening to. Mr. and Mrs. Arch. [Wifti.te.>. on Thursday last. The ladies’ ■ evenings, ofy-.the club are popular functions,' and have': been--Attended wjith marked success, and;the evening last week was by no means wanting in. any detail. The large assembly was indeed, a happy family and entered spiritedly into the gaiety of th? proceedings. The guests were received by the President and Mrs. Hanna. The ciub rooms presented a brilliant appearance with, the decorations of autumn flowers and the many dainty frocks worn by .the ladies. The spacious social hall had been'; prepared for dancing, and was well pat-rbnis-.d during the evening The various artists contributing items were well received and hihgly appreciated. as also was the dance music. After a delicious supper had been partaken Oif the president, Mr J. L. Hanna, proposed the health of Mr. and Mrs.- White, • which was drunk with musical honours. In proposing the toast Mr. Hanna referred'to the fine social qualities of the guests,' who, he said, would be much missed by- their Paeroa friends, White ■bad taken a hand in the formation of the club, and had been one of its most ardent supporters. Upon rising to reply Mr. White was greeted with applause. He said that both Mrs. White and himself felt the parting with, old friends very keenly. He was sure he would miss the club and the fire-side stories, and would look back to the many happy times he had spent there He thanked the members for the opportunity that they had given him of saying good-bye.

Amongst those .contributing items during the evening' were Mrs. N. C. Cassrels; Miss McGlashan (Te Aroha), Messrs Weir (Auckland), Flatt (Te Aroha), W. Wood (Auckland) McLean, and M. Harris. The accompaniments and dance music were played by Mesdames McLean and Carver, Miss McGlashan, and Mr Tracy Moresby.

■ The evening concluded with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and “God Save the King?’