Valedictory.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 343, 27 December 1907, Page 2

Valedictory.

PRESENTATION TO MR R BARRON! When it became known that Mr B. Barron wee eevering bis counection witb|tbe Public Wi-rke Dq-erlmeot to re- ide on the laud in Taraueki, regjret win expressed ell over this district, of which ha has been District R jads Inspeotor for some time pads, and B in little wonder that arrangements were at once made to show the high appreciation be was held in, which appreciation waa universal. The form of entertainment decided on was a smoke concert, end eventuated iu Sjutt’e Hall, Kawhia, on Saturday evening last, the attendance at which was about 50, many whu had worked under Mr Barron coming long distances to be present. The chair was occupied by Mr A. E. Liogley, which fact is sufficient guarantee that the evening passed off sco cea fully. The loyal toast having been drunk with enthusiasm, to the accompaniment of the national anthem, The Cbaiaiuan arose and said that

whenever they were celled on to eay go id bye, and that farewell was to a g >od sort, regret was alwsys felt, and on this occasion he could not help feel ing .strong regret, as the community would be p .nrer by the lose of Mr Barron. He bad a wide experience of geo tieman holding a like position to that in which they had known Mr Barron, and * it could be said that they were all real good men of starling grit and real “white men.” He bad known theisc officials 85 years ago in Taranaki, aud Mr Barron wa* oue of tbe baet. The people of the Kawhia district knew i when they met a good man, and could always appreciate tboaegood qualities. On behalf of the well-wishers, Mr Llugley banded to tbe guest a bandsome .gentleman’s dressing care, upon abicb was a silver plate inscribed, Presented to R. Barron, Esq., from Kawhia friiOls. 1907.” The toast was moat enthusiastically received, the musical honors being repeated two or three times. Mr Barron, who ou rising to res- i pond met with a hearty reception, said that he wished to thank them for 1 the hearty manner iu which his health I had been drunk, and for‘he kind feel- j ings which bad prompted the gather- | ing. He was leaving Kawbia with mixed feelings of regret and pleasure— ! regret at leaving so many kind friends behind, aud pleasure el feeling that be was once more so iudepeudaut man who could now ex prose bis opinion without fear or favour. Tbe present was a handsome one, and would be always cherished by him. (Mr Barron re? a mod his seat amidst load applause.) i Ur W. J. Sbaw (Chairman of the ; Kawbia County Council) proposed ‘The Public Works Department,” and in • doing remarked that all who went into tbe backblocks saw tbe good work that was being done by that Departmuni. From tbe number of requests for roads, eta, planed before the Ministers it was a wonder that so much i was accomplished. There was ' not ! much room for grumbling at tbe pre- t sent time.

The toast was acknowledged by Mr L. O. Caroachsn. The speaker remarked tbit the Department did its beat, iu face of a lot of grumbling. Some settlers wanted a railway, yet objected to tbe laud beiug loaded, whilst others wanted carriage drives to their sections (Laughter) At the present time tbe eiUlers did nothing tor tbemselvee—not like tbe old days when they made their own roads aud even then did not grow]. The toast of “Kawbia: Its trade and prosperity,” was proposed by Dr 0. Campbell Jenkins, who remarked that Kawbia bad prospects second to nous in the North Island.

Captain Roberts responded, stating that so far as tbe shipping he was interested in was concerned it was on the increase, aud he hoped it would continue to so.

The Chairman remarked that the trade and prosperity of Kawhia was closely identified with tbe Northern 8 8. Co, whose steamer traded to the . port. He, as tbe Company's agent, ■ could eay that the manager was very ! much in touch • with Kawhia, and he al ways wanted posting in how the district was progressing. Personally he had always urged on Mr Ranson tbe necessity of doing tbe very beet to meet tbe requirements of the’port, and the directors desired to do the best they could. They believed that the s.s. Waitangi was good enough for a year or two, but had given him the Rssurance that a suitable boat would be put on for tbe trade when a change was warranted. Tbe imports aud exports were growing rapidly, on which fact tbe settlers and residents were to be congratulated, as it proved that the district was forging ahead—not by leaps aud bounds, but steadily, Ka whia would be beard more of io the future. The future was assured, and tbe settlers were in au exceptional position, as the land bad been secured •u good terms, and if prices hap pened to fall they would be able to prosper iu spite of the foot. (Applaw). The other toasts honoured were “ The Prase,” proposed by the Chair mw and acknowledged by Mr Pettit (Bettlw«) ; “The Ladies,” p-aposed by Mr Faiwasser; “ The Chairman,” proposed by Mr Pettit.

A pleasant gathering concluded about 11 p.m., by tbe singing of Auld Lang Syne and cheers for the guest. During the evening songs we e ran de red by Messrs J. Margin, Aubin, Pettit, 8i room be and Dr Jenkins, a recitation by Mr J. Kearns, and a pianoforte duet by Messrs Aubin and Pettit. Mr Aubin acted as sixxuapanht.