VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4455, 18 August 1922, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

MB, AND MRS- V. DUNLOP.

GATHERING AT KOMATA NORTH.

A large number of residents gathered in the Komata North Hall on Wednesday evenipg to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs V. Dunlop and family, who are leaving to reside in the North at the end pf this month. Mr J. Howie, in making a presentation o’ 1 a pipe and fountain pen to Mr Dunlop apd a beautiful silver-! mounted salad bowl and servers to Mrs Dunlop, stated that they were all very sorry to lose such estimable neighbours, and they would be missed very much in the district. It was mainly through Mr; Dunlop's efforts that the Komata North school was established here six years ago, and during the whole of that time he was chairman of the school committee. He had been president of, the Komata North branch of the Farmers’ Union for the past three years, and represented that body on the Thames Valley Drainage Reference Board. He was also president of the Komata Football Club, which won the senior championship this season. Mr Howie concluded by wishing the guests health and happiness in their, future home.

Mr Dunlop, in responding on behalf of his wife and self, thanked the donors most heartily for their handsome presentation, which came as a surprise to them. He stated that whatever they had been able to dp ip the past seven years fjpr the progress of the district it was. a pleasure for, them to do, and if .their actions'in the past had met with the approval and appreciation of the residents, then the pleasure was theirs. He assured them that the gifts would always remain among their xPost treasured possessions, and in time to come would remind (hem of the very many pleasant days they bad spent amongst their friends at Komata, The gathering then sang “For they are jelly good fellows.” During the evening songs we .rendered by Messrs F. Berry, K. Tukukii'.o, G. Royal, B. Dunlop, and V.' Dunlop, and a recitation by Mr F. Berry, and were very much appreciated. Mrs Budd, ofj Paeroa, presided at the piano in her usual finished manner. The evening concluded with three cheers for the guests and also Mrs Budd, and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne." AT PAEROA.

Last evening Mr V. Dunlop was met at the Criterion Buildings by about fifty friends, the evening taking the form of a “smoker.” Mr D. Leach presided, and a pleasant time was spent midst song, toast, story, and “a wee deoch-an’-doris.” After full justice .had been done to the usual toast pf “The King," which was drunk with musical honours, Mr W. Towers proposed the toast of "Local Bodies,” and in doing so said that <it was necessary that we should have the best men procurable to sit on the council. It was often seen, however, that the best men in a community did not seek civic honours, possibly caused by the fact that there was too much uncalled-for criticism and unfounded charges levelled at those taking a leading part. Some people thought that there was tob much wire pulling, but during the whole of his experience while Mayor of the town he had not found it so. He thought that the people would do a great deal more good if they would make up their minds to assist those who were willing to devote their time to civic and public duties; by this means the best men would be encouraged to come forward. It must be acknowledged that the of the present council were out for the good of the town, and he was sure that nobbdy could deny that the town had gone ahead since it had been fo”med into a borough. In acknowledging the toast Mr T. P. Vuglar, a member of the Borough Council, said that although his experience on civic matters was limited he flelt sure that members on local bod'es did not get the encouragement and backing they should. If the council did not get the help it could not do very much. The council was out to protect the interests of the ratepayers, and he was sure that every shilling that was spent was spent judiciously. The toast of the "Public Service” was proposed by Mr Somervell and replied to by Messrs McDougall and G. H. Taylor.

In proposing “Our Guest” the chairman said that Mr Dunlop had been associated with' Lh« town and district for a number oi years and had always entered heartily into the spirit of the pl ce ami was not afraid to put his shoulder to the wheel. He had done more than a fair share of work, and had never failed to help, and the speaker knew the guest’s full worth. Paeroa and distriri. were losing a good man in Mr Dunlop, but our hopes went put to him and his that in their new home they would have prosperity and good health. He was sure Mr Dunlop would take with him the well wishes of everybody in the place. The toast was drunk with musical honours, and three hearty cheers were given.

In acknbwledg’ng the toast Mr Dunolp thanked those responsible for the evening for the opportunity it afforded him pf saying good-bye to so many of his friends. Since he had been in the district he had made many staunch friends whom he regretted leaving. However, i$ any came up to Kaw.akawa he would endeavour to give them a rear good time.

The toasts of the “Press" and "Cliairman” were also duly honoured. Songs during the evening were contributed by Messrs B. Dunlop, D. Brown, V. Dunlop, H. Somervell, the accompaniments being played by Messi’s J. Howie, G. H. Taylor, and H. Somervell.