VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4423, 5 June 1922, Page 3

VALEDICTORY.

MB. ARCH WHITE. As a fitting send-off to a popular townsman, and one who has been associated with the affairs of the town and district for the past nine years, a large number gathered together at the Criterion Hotel on Thursday evening last. The chair was occupied by His Worship the NJayor, Mr. P. E Brenan, and sitting on his right was the guest of the evening, Mr. White. The large dining-room tables were tastefully laden with provisions, and the evening passed merrily amidst toast, song, and story. The first toast was that of “The King,’’ which Was duly drunk with musical honours. The toast of the Local Bodies was.; proposed by Mr. E. W. Porritt, who, in referring to them, said that it was recognised that the Borough Council had had a very hard row to hoe. It came into existence during the wa”, at a time when money was scarce and the cost the upkeep of the rpads was heavy. He congratulated the council on its progressive movement, and he felt that no one would begrudge the paying of rates so long as the borough was progressing. The County Council was the father of the borough, and had: left it with a legacy in .the shape of a large number of unformed roads. However, it, too, had had hard times, and one could only compliment the council on the way it was tackling the financial problenis.

His Worship the Mayor, in replying on behalf of the Borough Council, said that in reference to the administration of he borough he agreed with he remarks that had been made. Paeroa was a town that had "had a ba.i time in many ways, but so far as local bodies’ finances were concerned Paeroa was second to none in the Dominion. Many of the bad roads- were legacies left by the Government and County. In dealing with the expenditure of loan moneys, and pushing ahead with the work, the Council had decided not to proceed until it could get the money at 4% per cent., and in this he was sure the ratepayers would back them up, for if they had to pay even one per cent .more, it would mean an expenditure of £20,050, which was nearly half the amount of the loan. He felt it was not advisable to pay more than 4% per cent- of interest. The No. 1 area was nearly completed apd ready tJ. be connected up. The finances of the borough were in such a sound position that the Council had received the congratulations of the State Advances superintendent, who was an authority on local body financial matters. There was no antecedent liability, and while he knew only too well the work that required doing ne would ask the ratepayers to forbear for a little while, and the Council would have the necessary money to do the work.

Mr. W. F. Johnstone, a member of th.-j Ohinemuri County Council', in replying, said that at the present time the local bodies were faced with a heavy burden in making roads for the ever-increasing motor traffic. They must construct roads that will stand. The problem of maintaining the roads has got beyond the matter of the ratepayers, and there must be some other method found.

The prosperity of the Hauraki Agricultural and Pastoral Association was then proposed by Mr. Arch. "White. He said that the Association was a pet institution of his. "When he came here nine yeans ago he was a competitor. but. since then the show had grown very much indeed. Few people, perhaps, knew that some o£) the cattle shown here last year were very closely related to some pt the firstprize cattle in the world, This fact could not be disputed. The district was admirably adapted for the breeding of pedigree stock. He advocated breeding the best. The show was a great asset to the district, and there was nothing finer than a show to ent courage the breeding of pedigree stock. The residents of the district should always strive to keep the old show here and try and improve the breed of stock. Some years ago he was honoured with being, elected a president bf the show, and it was only then that he found what a lot of good fellows there were in the district. They worked together and pulled the show out. of the difficulties that had befallen it. His forecast was that in a few years the show w'ould compare with any in the Dominion. We had the land, the climate, and ths men to foster the breeding of stock. Mr. Jas Reid, the president of the A. and P. Association, in responding, said he thought that everyone present that Mr. White was leaving us. Since Mr. White had come into the district the show had gone ahead very fast, mainly due to his sterling efforts. Twelve mtonths ago it was felt that it was necessary to hold a two-days’ show, and this proved io be a wise decision. The various breeds of cattle exhibited were of first-class quality. The judges at the last show expressed pleasure at the stock. This proved that the land 'here and breeders had been enough to start right by purchasing the best pedigree. He would like to see more of Mr. White’s sort coming to the district and not leaving it.

The most important toast of the evening, namely, that of "Mr. Arch. White,” was proposed by the chairman. The. object of the gathering was, as all knew, to say good-bye to one that has taken a keen public part in matters connected with the place. In order that Mr. White would be able to keep in mind some ofj the men with whom he had worked he presented him with! a .handsomely framed shield containing the photographs of the Borough councillors from 1918 to 1922. This wmld serve to show in s'dme small way the hign opinion gained of him by his colleagues while a councillor. The presentation was then made amidst a hearty clappipg. bf hands. Continuing, His Worship the Mayor said that as head of the Council he appreciated Mr. White as a councillor. As a member of the Works Com-, mittee Mr. "White had. done his work well, apd he personally appreciated

the assistance given to him as Mayor. He trusted the change would benefit Mr. White's son’s health, and that both Mr and Mrs. White would have a long and happy life. "We will miss yonr services and the sunshine of your smile,” concluded the Mayor. (Applause.) Mr. Reid, on behalf of the Hauraki A. and P. Association, the Chamber or Commerce, and the Acclimatisation /Society, presented Mr. White with a suit case in appreciation of the services given to these bodies. In doing so, he said that as far as the A. and P. Association was concerned Mr White was one of its strongest supporters, and a real live member.

In referring to Mr. White's activities as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Porritt said the guest '.had been a man that had worked and one that had taken an intelligent view of the- district. They would miss nim not only as a member, but as a friend.

Mr. Leach, in rising to express the feelings of the sports, particularly those of the Acclimatisation Society, said sport drew out the good in a man, and they had found out that in the Ohinemuri Acclimatisation Society Mr. White became president, about eight years ago, and -spent not only lime but money to further the interests of sport in the district. This work was done with a willingness and in a way that classes Mr White as a keen sportsman. Mr. White was one of the optimists of the place, and had taken a very keen interest in all matters of sport. One of the best trout streams in the Dominion was the Waitawheta, and if it had been in any other place it would have been starred and advertised-. It was due to Mr. White’s efforts that this stream had been.so well stocked. Mr. White also looked after the breeding, of pheasants for the Society, and in this work, was ably- assisted by Mrs. White. In return for her services l the Society had made her a life member. The members of the A.cclimatisatio’l Society and all regretted their, leaving, and felt assured that as sportsmen they Would look forward to their returning to Paeroa. On behalf of the Borough Council’s employees Mr. P. C. Furley, town clerk, added his quot,a of appreciation of Mr. White. "You have only to look through his records to know he is a great man-,” said the speaker, who wished Mr. White and family the best of health, wealth, and happiness. The health o£ Mr. and Mrs-. White was drunk with musical honours and three i inging cheeks.

Upon rising to reply Mr, White was greeted with hearty applause. He said that he did not deserve the kindness. He thanked His Worship for kind remarks and good wishes He had been on the Council for the last three years, and thought the ratepayers of Paeroa had' good cause to be thankful to the Council. His Worship the Mayor gave a great deal of thought to Paeroa, and the people should be proud of having so capable and so young a man at the head or: affairs. The deputy-mayor, Mr. Edwards, was also a capable councillor. He paid a high tribute to Cr. Marshall as chairman of the Finance Committee. Mr. Marshall’s report showed his ability to deal with the Council’s finance. Paero.a was under a deep debt of gratitude to Mr. Flatt, for be was the man who was responsible for getting the electric light in the town. He thought that Paeroa was a better lighted town than Auckland. Other councillors had also done their work well, and in his opinion the town was going to progress. After going round other towns he must admit that Paeroa was a town that had been very much neglected. He thought that they should take every opportunity of bringing before the Government. the need of a new post office. It had been a great pleasure to work with the members of the A. and P. Association. They were a very fine lot of men, and worked well together. While the spirit of cooperation lasted the society would never go back. He was of the opinion that if you supply good sport in a place it was always an incentive to bring men to the district. Have good sport and you will have visits from men who are worth knowing. Ha appreciated very much the reference to his wife. It had always been a pleasure to her to help the various works and societies in which he was interested. He thanked one and all for the good wishes (or the family’s health He very greatly regretted leaving the town. He had met good sports here, and hoped t'o be able to return from time to time. (Applause.) In proposing the prosperity of the Chamber of Commerce Mr. E. Edwards remarked that if this body had done, nothing else than to have inaugurated the Ngatea-Paerqa motor bus service and mail it. had warranted its existence. It had, however, been the means of numerous improvements, and its suggestions had been frequently adopted. It was now trying very hard for further extensions on the- Plains, and in this he thought that, it deserved the heartiest praise from the business community of the town. He felt sure that the Chamber was earnest in its endeavours, although he personally did not at times see eye to eye or agree with the proposals submitted. It w,as not through lark of effort that it had not been able to induce the powers that be to erect a new post office, but this was coming. He knew the war-cry olf its president, Mr. E. W. Porritt, to be, “If yim want anything, agitate, agitate, agitate, and still agitate.” He coupled the toast with Mr. Porritt’s name, and it was drunk with enthusiasm.

' Mr. Porpitt, upon rising, said he was pleased that Mr. Edwards had re<ferred to the matter of differences of opinion. His reply was that if we hadn’t differences of opinion we would soon get into a rut and be of no use. It was only by criticism and discussion that we could get the best results. The Chamber of Commerce was . certainly self-constituted, but was "only like all other self-consti-tuted bodies that got together for th i public good. He had taken a keen interest in the Chamberin flact it was one of the local institutions he took a pride in. The fact of it being a self-constituted body was to his

mind sometihng to be proud of. Men gave their time not for personal gain, but for public good- It .was a body equally as important, as others, and had done an immense amount of good ■fipr both- the town and district. The Thames Valley Electric Power Board emanated from the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce. If it was up against the Borough Council in its criticism, it was only to help. The Borough was one of the largest in New Zealand for the population it was carrying. It. had something like 50 miles of roads. The Chamber of Commerce had been greatly strengthened this year by the inclusion of His Worship the Mayor and Cr. Marshall on its executive. He thanked the gathering, for the hearty response to the toast.

Mr. P. T. Vuglar, who was entrusted with the toast of the Acclimatisation Society, was in a position to tell us that matters under this heading had greatly improved since Messrs A. White and D. Leach had taken them in hand. He hoped the sport would be fostered, and then it would not be long before people came to the district to look for sport. He considered the country an ideal place both for shooting and fishing, and would like to see people doing more for the Acclimatisation Society. In acknowledging the toast Mr. Leach said be was sorry to note.that the Society had not progressed as fast as he would have liked. There hpd been a good deal of trouble, but the Auckland society had now agreed to be a little more liberal in its endeavour to stock the streams of trout and the supply of birds. Last year they had liberated some 50,000 fry ia various streams and 50 birds. He looked forward to the time when the Waitawheta and- other streams in this part cf the province would be much sought after by anglers. The guest, had done his share in acclimatisation matters, and his place would be hard to fill He had spent both time and money, and he hoped that Mr. White would be able to come over and reap some reward for his labour in the way of both fishing and shooting. “The Farming Industry” was proposed by Mr. Marshall. Students all over the world, he said, recognise that farming was one of; .the four fundamental industries of the world. The farming community were all having a hard time. To a large extern, he they were sufferipg from a period when it was too sweet. We were seeing to-day the true bulldog spirit displayed in the farmers in hanging on .to their farms for their very lives. The great thing about farming was .that it was permanent. In referring to the guest, he said that one striking feature of Mr. White was that he was always polite and courteous when in debate. Always he had been willing to aid whatever he cotud for the advancement of the place.

Mr. F. Hubbard responded to the toast of the farmers. No doubt, ho said, the farmers are certainly working under difficulties. It may do goo-J to show the farmers that they must endeavour to get the utmost put of the land they possessed. They must also improve the quality of the stock and pay more attention to .the details inf farming. The agricultural show no doubt was a very great benefit to the farmers, as it enabled them to realise the benefits to be derived from the breeding of pedigree stock. The electric power was going to help the farmer by lessening the cost of production. As the roading and services to the different parts of the district developed it would materially help the man on the land.

“The Fire Brigade” was a popular toast, and was proposed by Mr. White, who expressed the high appreciation of the public for the very good service rendered to Paeroa. He said that people sometimes did not think of the great sacrifice made by the Volunteer Fire Brigade. In responding, Captain Moore said the brigade was out for cLe.good of the cause and to save property and life. The brigade was in a bad way, and it was just about time the Borough Council got a “kick on" and built a decent sort, of a station and purchased a motor reel. They could then hope to keep the brigade together. It was nearly time the public a(- Paeroa woke up and did something for the brigade. The brigade had been going 25 years, and it was time they had a motor reel. The right class, of man was here, and he was sure that, he could get a team together that would equal anything in New Zealand. The toast of the Chairman was proposed by Mr. A. Steedman and responded to by Mr. Brenan. “The Press!,” proposed by Mr. Flatt, and responded to by the representative of the “Gazette” present. The vocal items during the evening were very good and were mucn appreciated. Those who contributed to the entertainment were Messrs Mitchell, E. Edwards, P. 0. Furley, M. J. Harris, W. H. Taylor, H. Broyd, Arch. White, P. E. Brenan. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne, fallowed by “God Save the King,” brought to a dose a very pleasant evening.