WALTON.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 92, 25 July 1918, Page 1

WALTON.

PRESENTATION TO MR C. SMITH. A well-attended and thoroughly representative gathering of the people of the Walton riding met in the hall on Friday evening to farewell Mr C. Smith, who had for so long been identified with every movement connected with the welfare of the district. The 1 first part of the function consisted of a concert, which, judging from the enthusiastic | applause and frequent encores, > was duly appreciated. The fol- . lowing items were rendered in a j pleasing manner: — j “ Foresters Sound the Horn,” | Glee club; song, “ When it Strikes Home ” (encore) ‘ Toast to Old Erin,” Miss Ross; recitation, “iKid from Timaru,” Mr Dickie ; song selected, and followed by an encore, Mr Insull; song, “ Eye Glass ” (encore) “ My Motor Car,” Mr Smales; “Hail Smiling Morn,” Glee club ; song, “The River of Years,” Mr Pennell; song, “When you Come Home, Dear” (encore) “Michigan,” Miss Ross ; song, " Varmer Giles,” Mr Lewis; recitation, “Kitty O’Toole (encore) “In Trouble Again,” Mr Smales. The concert over the real business of the evening was dealt with. Mr W. Mapp, speaking on behalf of the Farmers’ union, expressed his pleasure at having an opportunity of voicing the esteem , in which Mr Smith was held by the whole community. He had spared no trouble in working for any thing that directly or indirectly benefited the district. As a county councillor he had striven to better the road conditions in his riding, giving ungrudgingly of bis own time in so doing. He had interested himself in Farmers’ union matters from its inception in Walton, and as chairman endeavored continually to maintain interest by keeping them posted it) all the latest developments in that organisation —manure works, Co-operative Trading Co. or any other activities by menns of which production could be increased. In conclusion the speaker wished Mr Smith, and family health, happiness and prosperity. Mr A. E. Gillingham made eulogistic reference to Mr Smith’s work on the Glee club which was now losing one of its staunchest supporters, a member who could take any part, and who was most regular in attendance, even during the inclement weather of the winter months. Some other place was benefiting at their expense, and he was desirous of conveying to Mr Smith the best wishes of the Glee club in his new venture. Mr L. Mapp, speaking as a member of the school committee of which Mr Smith was chairman, was equally emphatic as to the splendid work done by the guest of the evening on every “committee” or other “body” with which he was ConnectedFarmers’ union, County council and Hall committee. Mr McLean, as chairman, cordially endorsed all that was said by the previous speakers, and declared it was his pleasing duty to give tangible proof of the goodwill and esteem by presenting to Mr Smith a gold watch and chain. Miss Myra Ross, on behalf of the young ladies, presented Miss Smith with a handsome hand bag. Mr Louis Forsman, as representative of the young men, gave Messrs Frank, Esme, Willie and Pat Smith each a fountain pen, while Master Ronnie received a boys’ watch as a memento of the occasion. Mr Smith, rising to respond on his o\vn behalf and that of the family, thanked the donors sincerely, alike for the gifts and the kindly thoughts they embodied. He felt that they were hardly deserved especially in view of the state of the roads he had come over that evening. However it was pleasant to feel that they had to such an extent the kindly wishes of the people, and, he added humorously, he hoped he would get safely out of the place before the weather had reduced the roads to such a condition that there might be a sudden if not quite justifiable change in those sentiments.