EARLY SETTLER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3266, 21 May 1943, Page 4

EARLY SETTLER

FAREWELL AT KEREPEEHI MR NICHOLSON HONOURED PRESENTATION FROM DISTRICT A farewell evening was tendered on Tuesday evening in the Kerepeehi Hall to Mr J. H. Nicholson, who has left the district to reside in Auckland. Mr Nicholson journeyed back from Auckland to attend the function. A large crowd was in attendance to bid farewell to Mr Nicholson, being representatives from all parts of the Hauraki Plains, Paeroa, Huntly and Auckland.

Mr Nicholson, who was one of the first settlers in Kerepeehi, is highly esteemed by all. He was: on the first committee of the Kerepeehi School when it was just amative school and used to journey to Netherton to attend the committee meetings before the Kerepeehi school had a committee of its own. The Netherton committee used' to control the Kerepeehi school at the time. Early Kerepeehi Days When Kerepeehi formed a committee of their own Mr Nicholson was the first chairman and remained• on the committee till recent years. Until recently he held the contract for the school buses. He was also a former member of the Hauraki Plains County 'Council, President of the Rugby Football Club, Ladies’ Hockey Association, Kerepeehi Tennis Club, and the Kerepeehi Cricket Club. He was also ground steward for the Kerepeehi Racing and Sports Club and is now a life member of the same. Before the presentation wds made Mr Nicholson asked all present to bow their heads in silence for one minute in honour of the boys overseas who are fighting for our freedom. Wallet and Cheque • Mr D. Shilton, the chairman, then called on Mr J. M. Thompson, another old settler to present Mr with a wallet and cheque. i . . In making the presentation Mr Thompson expressed the regret of the residents of the district in losing Mr Nicholson and gave an outline of all -the good Mr Nicholson had done for the district in the past and said that the younger generation should take a leaf out of Mr Nicholson’s (book. In. conclusion he wished Mr Nicholson all the best in the future. Only Done His Duty In replying, Mr Nicholson thanked all those present and said how much he appreciated all their kind words and the gift and assured all present that he considered it only his- duty what he had done in the past. He expressed regret at having to part from all the friends he had known so long. The Railway Monte Carlo was won by Mesdames W. Kidd and S. Jones. The second Monte Carlo was won by Miss A. Fisher and N. Paton. Miss Y. Hegh sang two songs, “Somewhere in France” and “White Cliffs of Dover.” The function was brought to a close with the singing of “Auld* Lang Syne.” Those Present Among those present were Mesdames A. Hegh (Waitakaruru), Speck (Auckland), R. Smith (Paeroa), N. Nicholson (Turua)," C.'Nicholson, A. Shilton, Barriball (Ngatea), 'S. Jones (Auckland), Milligan, C. Poland, W. Chick, E. Stansell, D. Shilton, H. Innis. R. 'Burton, R. Trembath, H. Candy, R. Reddy, A. L. Fisher, H. Warner, I. Poland, W. Kidd, P. Innis, Rawlins, A. Innis, J. M. Thompson, J. Lynch, H. Jamieson, H. Collins, F. Scott, R. Harvey, C. Billing, G. Walker, A. Strong, P. Burling, K. Menzies, J. iShilton. Misses I. Nicholson. (Huntly), Y. Hegh (Waitakaruru), K. Burfoot (Auckland), A. Fisher (Waitakaruru), J. Shilton, R. Booth, D. Clark, M. Murray, N. Stansell, P. Lord, F. Poland (Waihi), L. Poland, N. Strong, M. Strong, I. Poland, M. Poland, F. Death (Kopuarahi), N., Death (Kopuarahi), A. Trembath, M. McKain (Netherton), Milligan, N. Gordon, C. Comer, E. Patterson, I. Hayes, J. Hayes, S. Harvey, 0. Stone, R. Beasley, R. Tapp, N. Bartley, S. Hayes, Milligan, Dennison, K. Jordan, J. Candy.