Valedictory.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 214, 23 June 1905, Page 2

Valedictory.

SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION TO MR. AND MRS. J. W. ELLIS, AT OTOROHANGA

(communicated.) On Monday evening, June oih, a very large gathering assembled at the Otorohanga Public Hall to firewell Mr and Mrs J. W. Ellis and Family, on the eve of their departure from Otorohanga to take up their reaidence in Hamilton. Both the European and Maori races were represented, as influential Maori-;, their wives and children had all been touted to do honour to the guests of the evening. Dancing commenced at 8 o'clock, and Messrs Hawkins, Cardno, Farber and Reidy assisted to make the evening a pleasant one by singing some ballads io thair usual attractive manner. Needless to ■ay these gentlemen’s efforts were , much appreciated. Mr - G. T. Wilkinson, Government Native Agent (one of the oldae]; resi denta of tbe place), on the residents «f Otorohanga ami Buketarata, made a presentation to Mr El is of an illuminated adflresii, and to Mrs Ellis of a very handsome silver tea and coffee scryice. engravaa with a suitable inscription and her initials on each piece. Iti making the presentation, Mr Wi’kinion alluded to tbe many good qualities of Mr ami Mrs EHs ’ most glowing terra?; he spoke for a considerable time, his remarks being listened to with great interest by the large gathering. Mr John Ormsby followed Mr Wilkinson in an able speech. Ha<i Henara Wuhanui, au important local Maori Uhief u and Piriui Mataiawhea, of Botorcta, also addressed the audience in tbe Maori language, their speeches being ably in terpretod by Mr John Ormsby. H»ri Hemara Wahanui, at the eonelnsion of his speech, lei a very enthusiastic Maori haka anf chanted a farewell to the guests, in wnich he was joined by all Ihe Maoris in the ha’’, araongat whom was T«i Rohu Manga (widow of the late chiefi Rewi Maniapoto.) Mr Ellis, in replying ou behalf of Mrs Ellis end himself, thanked all present for tbe friendly feeling shown, and said he felt proud to think be had retained the goodwill of hh fellow residents as set forth in the aminated address, and as shown by i ieir presence, especially of his .Maori friends, as he always felt a kindly feeling io the natives, with whom he had been in dose touch tor a great many years. He jvor’d never forget the good feeling of the Otorohanga .people, and the pleasant evening which they had arranged in order to bid him fare welt. During the evening refresh meats were handed round to the v sitora, and one and all expressed great satisfaction at the res Jit of the exertions of the ladies and gentlemen who had acted a 3 a committee o( management. After the presentation and supper was over dancing was continued and kept uptill 2 S.m. The following morning Mr and Mrs EUis and family left by train for Hamtin. A large number of Europeans and natives were at the station to bid them farewell.