VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 560, 19 April 1913, Page 5

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

•PRESENTATION TO MR FALWASSER. A representative gathering of Te Kuiti town and district residents gathered at the Town Hall on Thursday evening to bid farewell to Mr E. C. Falwasser, on the occasion of that gentleman's departure to take up his residence in Auckland. The chair was ocupied by his Worship the Mayor (Mr E. H. Hardy), and the majority of the members of the council were also present. The Waitomo County Council was represented by Mr A. Scholes, county chairman, and Mr W. Johnston; the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce by Mr Mostyn Jones, chair man; the Awakino district by Messrs J. Old and L. Jacobs and tha Maori residents by Messrs Eketone, H. Hetet, and Ormbsy. Apologies were received from a large number of friend 3 who were unable to b3 present. In proposing the toast of the evening the chairman paid a tribute to Mr Falwasser as a public man and a private citizen, and referred to him aB one who had "left his footprint on tha sands of time in Te Kuiti." He voiced the universal regret at the departure of tha gusst from the district, and wished him every prosperity in his new sphere. Continuing, tho chairman said the function gave thsm the opportunity of showing their appreciation in a practical manner. Mr Falwasser's friends felt they could not allow him to depart without some token of their goodwill and ha hoped the present which he handed to the guest would be cherished by him as a memento of his sojourn at Te Kuiti. The presentation came not only from the men, but also from the ladies and children of the district. Tha chairman then handed Mr Falwasser a handsome gold watch and chain, and read the text of an illuminated address which forms part of the presentation.

Messrs G. P Finlay, L. Jacob, J. B. Young, E. Martin, and D. Sullivan also spoke in a eulogistic vein of the guest, while Mr H.Hetet, on behalf of the Maori race, paid a tribute to the qualities of Mr Falwasser, and expressed pleasure that one of their number should have been so honoured.

Mr Falwasser.. who was received with cheers, said words failed to convey what he felt on the occasion. He would be an extraordinary person if he did not feel proud at the manifestation of the esteem of his fellow man. He would not forfeit that esteem and respect for all the gold in the Dominion. He deeply regretted the .occasion of his departure, which he trusted would not ba for all time. His old friend Mr Sullivan, had expressed what he himself- felt for the King Country. It wa3 destined to become a great district, and he would look forward to the time he could return to it. He thanked those who had spoken for their kindly references to himself as a sport. He believed that without sport the world would deteriorate rapidly, and he trusted to remain a sport to the end of his days. He intended to continue his associafion with th 9 various local sporting bodies. Referring to his connections with the native race at Te Kuiti, he wished to express his gratitude and appreciation for the manner in which he had been treated by them. Messrs A. and P. Eketone, Ormsby, Hetet and others had always extended the hand of friendship, and he was sure those relations would always exist. Other toasts honoure.l were:— "Local Bodies," Mr G. P. Finlay— Messrs A. Scholes and Major Lusk; "The Sports Clubs," Mr J. F. Walsh —Messrs Julain, Howarth, and Rothpry; "The Maori Race," Mr J. B. Young—Messrs Pepene Eketone, R. Orrnbey, H. Hetet, A. Ormsby, and A. Eketone; "The King Country," Mr E. C. Falwasser—Messrs R. M. Somerville, J. Tammadge, and A. Julian; "The Ladies," Mr J. R. Graham—Messrs L. Jacob and J. W. Cochrane. During the evening an excellent programme of songs and recitations was got through by the following:—Messrs A, Eketone, D. Mitchell, D. J. Young, A. Pattison, Rowe, and A. Michell (songs), and Bond, recitations. A fine haka was performed by the natives led by Pepene Eketone and H, Hetet. The party broke up at midnight after singing "Auld Lang Syne."