VALEDICTORY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4593, 3 August 1923, Page 2

VALEDICTORY

PRESENTATION TO MR. D. LEACH.// t , 'i On Wednesday evening a very en-' joyable smoke concert was given by some forty intimate friends who gath- J ered together to do honour tp Mr D. Leach, who is shortly to take up his residence in Auckland after spending some 23 years in this district, the latter eight years of which Mr Leach has resided in Paeroa, and has been closely connected and an active worker on local bodies and other institu- , tipns pertaining to the welfare and progress of Paeroa and district. Mr J. A. Reid presided at the gathering, and apologised for a number who were unable to present. After the toast of “ The King ” had been duly honoured, Mr B. Gwilliam proposed the toast of “Our Guest.” He said that he had the pleasure of being associated with M r Leach for some twenty years, and felt quite confident in saying that a whiter man, and a better, truer, and moie genuine friend had never lived. The many personal friends of Mr Leach had felt that they could not allow him to leave Paeroa without some of their esteem and regard for him being shown. Their guest’s happy disposition and willingness at all times to assist in any good cause had endeared him to many. The large and representative . gathering of friends, many of whom had come long distances, was eloquent testimony ot the esteem and regard in which their guest was held. Mr Gwilliam, wh0..... was in a reminiscent mood, recalled many ups and downs that he had shared with Mr Leach in Karangahake and Golden Cross in the earlier days. He was proud to say that it had been largely due to the pluck and optimistic spirit of their guest that they had pulled through. The departure of Mr Leach, continued Mr Gwilliam, would be a distinct loss, not only to Paeroa, but to the whole district. In conclusion the speaker expressed the . earnest hope that Mr Leach would enjoy health and prosperity and heaps of success in his new sphere. He was taking away with him the good wishes of gathering there that evening, and it was hoped that he would again return to Paeroa some day, when he could rely on a right royal welcome. (P">longed applause.) The toast was drunk with musical honours. On rising to reply Mr Leach was greeted with applause. In u few well chosen words Mr Leach thanked Mr Gwilliam and the gathering for the hearty manner in which they had, drunk the toast and for the way that he had been honoured. He stated that he Was genuinely sorry to be leaving Paeroa, and so many good friends. He was confident that Paeroa in due time was destined to be a large'and prosperous inland town, arid he was sorry that circumstances would prevent him remaining tp see Paeroa grow and prosper. He related many Interesting facts that has occurred on the goldfields in the earHer days. Mr Leach said that what little he had been able to do on local bodies and similar institutions had been a real pleasure to him especially so because he hadjinbounded faith in the future prosperity of the tow.-i and district. He wished to sincerelyJr thank all those present, for their kind wishes. He was proud and honoured to have their friendship, and he would take away very happy and dear memories of’the years that he had spent in Ohinemuri. Other toasts honoured were : “Local Bodies” (Mr Hanna), “Chamber of Commerce” (Mr G. H. Taylor), “Sports” (Mr G. E. Allen), “Business Men’s Association” (Mr B. Dunlop), “Farming Industry” (Mr Le Cocq), and “The Press” (Mr Leach). In proposing the toasts each speaker referred to the sterling work and unselfish services rendered to the ditfeend factions of the community oy Mr Leach. PRESENTATION. Tn presenting Mr Leach with a' case of silver-mounted pipes from his friends Mr J. A. Reid paid special tribute to his services to the com-, inanity, particularly to his work- on acclimatisation matters. Mr Reid safd~ that they felt that, they were losing a great friend and a valuable citizen by the departure of Mr Leach. He | trusted that their guest would look back on the happy times that he had - spent in ■•the district when smoking the pipes in his new home in Auckland. Their guest’s sterling qualities and unbounded enthusiasm would ensure his success wherever he went. In conclusion he wished c Mr Leach and his family tons of good luck, good health, and prosperity. (Cheers, and “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.) Responding to the presentation Mr Leach said that he deeply appreciated the spirit of friendship that prompted the presentation t.o him. Hj cordially thanked Mr Reid and the gathering for all the kind references that had 1 been made, and he felt very proud to think that his humble efforts in the community had been appreciated. He would value his presentation pipes very highly, and he could only say that he was genuinely sorry to be leaving such good friends, and he most grateful and proud of the honour that had been accorded him. During the evening musical items were contributed by Messrs E. Edwards, D. Brown, B. Gwilliam, S. J. Hedge, B. Dunlop, A. E. Say, and Le Cocq. Mr C, Mettam officiated as accompanist. The gathering broke up with the singing of “Old Lang Syue” shortly before midnight. \