VALEDICTORY BANQUET.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 673, 30 May 1914, Page 5

VALEDICTORY BANQUET.

FAREWELL TO MR FORSVTH. PRESENTATION BY TOWNSPEOPLE. A very pleasant function waa held on Thursday evening at the Commercial Hotel, Te Kuiti, when a large gathering assembled to farewell Mr M. W. Forsyth, who is leaving to taKe up his residence in Auckland. The function took the form of a dinner ut which the Mayor, Mr J. Boddie, presided, and there were also present Mr A. Scholeß, chairman of the Waitorno County Council, and a large number of old identities who had been asuociatod with Mr Forsyth in the early days of Te Kuiti. Among others were Messrs F. Sims, Ongarue, F. B. Darrow, A. Julian, and W. Worthington, Otorohanga, while apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. W. Ellis, N. C. Matthew, C. J. Johnson, and other old friends of the gueat. The Maoris Wore represented by Messrs J. T. and H. Hetet and A. Eketone.

In proposing the toaat of the guest, Mr Sims said he esteemed it an honour to be permitted to take a leading part in the function. He had known Mr Forsyth for about seventeen years in tha King Country. Wh«n he had first come to the district as bridge contractor, hia services had been secured for the Roads Department by Mr C. W. Hursthouse, who was in charge of the works of tho district. Mr Forsyth had done much valuable work for the district and in recognition of his ability he had been appointed to supervise important bridge works for the Government in various parts of the Dominion. The qualities which had contributed to Mr Forsyth's success had earned for him the respect of nil with whom ho came in contact, and his parsonal attributes had endeared him to a wide circle of friends. Mr Forsyth would never bo forgotten in the King Country, and whenever he returned he would be sure of a warm welcome. The health of tha guest was drunk with musical honours. Mr F. B. Dnrrow, in speaking to the traat of the evening, paid a tribute to the honesty and consistency of Mr Forsyth in public life, while as a friend he would be missed by many. Mr A. Julian paid a similar tribute to tho guest. Speaking as one of the old identities, he said Mr Forsyth had earned an enviable place in the hearts of his old associates, while the work accomplished by him in the district would stand as a monument to his ability. Tho Mayor said it afforded him extreme pleasure to add his meed of praise to their guest, and to mark his appreciation for the man. He referred to Mr Forsyth's public work and recalled the first occasion on which he had met him, when tho question of getting a resident doctor for Te Kuiti was being discussed. Tha number present to bid Mr Forsyth "God-speed" was striking testimony of the e3teem in which he waa held and he considered the gathering that night waa the best he had ever been associated with. As Mayor of the town he wished to convey the fact that their guest was carrying with him the good wishes of all, and in token of that regard he had great pleasure in presenting Mr Forsyth with a handsome liquor stand on behalf of the townspeople. Mr Worthington, on behalf of some of the guest's old associates in the Roads and Bridges Department, presented Mr Forsyth with a travelling rug. lie paid a high tribute to Mr Forsyth for his integrity and manliness and wished him "good luck" wherever he was. Mr A. Eketon", on behalf of the Maori race, said they were all sorry to part with one with whom they had m>Any bo pleasant associations. On behalf of Taonui, their venerable chief, and others, he had been requested to present Mr Forsyth with a greenstone "kohurangi," and trusted it would be treasured by the recipient in memory of hia Maori friends, of whom there were very mar.y. , Mr Forayth, in replying, said he would carry with him many pleasant memories of the King Country, where he had spent the best years of nia life. He had been connected with the dietrict for nineteen years and the friends he had made would always hold the highest place in hi 3 regard. He paid a tribute to hia late chief, Mr C. W. Hursthouse, and also to the Maori frends, prominent among whom were Mr and Mrs Hetet. He thanked them all heartily fo» their expresaiona of goodwill, and could not find words adequate to express what he felt. He was only leaving Te Kuiti because hia work carried him away, and ho felt sure Te Kuiti was destined to be one of the finest inland towns of the Dominion. It would always afford him great pleasure to return and meet his King Country friendß. The Mayor proposed the toaat or "Native Friends," which was responded to by Messra H. Hetet and Eketone; "Commercial Interests, Mr Kelso—Measra Mostyn Jones and J. F. Walsh; "Agricultural and Pastoral Interests," Mr J. R. Graham Messrs T. Pine and G. Berry; "Local Bodies," Mr 11. Rothery—Messrs A. Scholar County chairman; "The Press," Mr Mostyn Jones —Mr E. A. Power; "The Ladies," Mr V. Kirk Messrs J. Mclndoa and H. J. Free; "The Host," Mr Boddie —Mr Morgan. During the evening songs and recitations were redered by Messra Blackman. Harrison, Kirk and otheis, the accompaniments being played by Mr E. A. Power. On Saturday evening last Mrs Forsyth waa entertained by a number of lady friends, and was the recipient of a presentation.