VALEDICTORY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 353, 19 April 1911, Page 6

VALEDICTORY.

SERGEANT AND MRS. ERASER A social was held in Turner's Hall, Otorohanga, on Wednesday, V2lh inst, in honour of Sergeant and i\hs Eraser, who are leaving the district, Sergeant Eraser having been transferred to Auckland. There was a very large muster, in fact "all the worid'and his wife" as far as Otorohanga is concerned, were present to bid "farewell to the departing guests. During the afternoon, the ladies were busy decorating the hall, which never looked better. The stage was cosily arranged as a drawing room, and the of flowers, palms and ferns reminded one of an "Arcadian bovver." The music was supplied by Mrs Holden, Mrs White and Mr Jacobsen, and was all that could be desired. The floor was in excellent condition, and dancing was kept ud till the early hours of morning. During the evening Sergeant Fraser was presented with an address, signed by all those who had any connection with the court. The presentation was made by Mr W. Vicary, J.P. In the course of his remarks, Mr Vicary said he had been a justice of the peace for 19 years, but he had never had the pleasure of meeting a constable who was fairer in the execution of his duty. He had also been a great help to the justices on the bench, and had always shown consideration to defendants. He had great pleasure in presenting Sergeant Fraser with the address, and wished him every success. Mr Vicary then read the address : "To Segt. D. C. Fraser.—Dear Sir, We, the undersigned, knowing you are leaving Otorohanga after a residence of ten years, wish to take this opportunity of expressing our good wishes to you and yours on leaving here for your new district. We may add that all our relations with you have been pleasant in the extreme, and that on every occasion in your official capacity we have met with uniform courtesy, and trust that equally pleasant relations will exist in your new district and that you will meet with many friends and good comrades.—Signed: W. Vicary, J.P.; C. J. Johnson. J.P.; W. Wylie, J.P.; T. G. Hosking, Solicitor; Fred. Phillips. Solicitor; John Ormsby, Licensed Interpreter; Richard Ormsby, Licensed Interpreter (all of Otorohanga)." Mr C. J. Vicary, J.P., echoed the sentiments voiced by Mr Vicary in eulogy of Sergeant Fraser. Mr John Ormsby said that nothing made one so helpless as flattery. If someone called one a rogue and a scoundrel, one could retaliate pretty smartly. He, therefore, was not going to lay it on too thick; but he must say that he had often felt surprised at the few enemies Sergeant Fraser had, as a policeman was not generally a popular man. As an official he had many unpleasant duties, and Sergeant Fraser had always used tact in performing them. As a licensed interpreter he, Mr Ormsby, had had a lot to do with Sergeant Fraser, and had frequently had his "corns trodden on" by him, but they were stepped upon in such a manner that the sting was taken out of the action. He felt very sorry Sergeant Fraser had been transferred, but the fact that the transfer meant promotion gave him pleasure. He sincerely hoped that Sergeant Fraser would not stop until he reached the topmost rung of the ladder. He, the speaker, had not mentioned the name of Mrs Fraser, but he did so now, and was certain that Mrs Fraser had been a very good helpmate to her husband. He remembered on one occasion Mrs Fraser had helped the speaker to lock a man up during Sergeant Fraser's absence. It gave him great pleasure in presenting Mrs Fraser with a tea and coffee service and salad bowl as a small mark of the esteem in which she was held by the residents of Otorohanga. Tukua Eketone, on behalf of the Natives of Otorohanga, also spoke, and wished Sergeant and Mrs Fraser success. The speaker said the Natives had always received the same civility and courtesy as had been extended to the pakeha by Sergeant Fraser.

Sergeant Fraser, on rising to respond, was greeted with loud cheers. He thanked all present on behalf of his wife for the handsome presents given to her. He was sorry to go from among so many good friends and acquaintances, although naturally pleased to re'eeive promotion. He had no idea, until that evening, that he had so many warm friends in Otorohanga He had always aimed to do his duty, and hoped he had succeeded. He was especially pleased to hear Tukua Eketone"s commendation, as when he first came to Otorohanga he knew nothing of Native matters, and Tukua had been a very great help to him. He concluded by saying his wife and self would be pleased to see anyone from Otorohanga at any time, when they were settled down in Auckland. The invitation embraced both pakeha and Maori. The company sang "He's a Jolly Good Fellow" with great gusto. A very recherche supper, provided by the ladies, was partaken of, and altogether the gathering was one of the heartiest ever held in otorohanga.