VALIDICTORY.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 144, 7 August 1919, Page 2

VALIDICTORY.

At Taihoa. The residents of Taihoa (Mangawhero) tendered a farewell evening to Mr Joseph Robinson and bis family in the hall on Tuesday last. The attendance was exceptionally large, the settlers having sent invitations to friends in other parts of the district., The hall was nicely decorated, and a warm atmosphere was thus created. The evening was mostly devoted to dancing, but several good vocal items were rendered by Mr Barnett, " The Bing Boys" quartette, and Mr Yardley. The dance music was played by Mr Darby's orchestra in its usual finished manner. The function was finished off with a splendid supper, of which the most appreciated article of diet was the Taihoa cream puffs, noted throughout the district. The evening could not have been a greater success, and was a fitting farewell to a popular family. During the evening complimentary addresses were delivered by Mr M. Madill and Mr J. Price. Mr Madill referred to the family as most desirable neighbors, and settlers who would be an acquisition to any district. They had rendered much public service in the district while living at Taihoa, which was greatly appreciated, its discontinuance in Taihoa would be a distinct loss. Mr Madill referred to the sorrow the settlers felt at the losses sustained by the family during their period of residence in the death of Mrs Robinson, and Sergt. Victor Robinson, and then wished Mr Robinson, his son and daughters good health and continued prosperity. Cheers. Mr J. Price, called upon to make presentations to the guests, made eulogistic reference to the work done by them in the interest of the district, which he said had been filled in with a keen desire to make a farm a credit to the district. While the settlers of Taihoa were sorry they were leaving, they were consoled with the knowledge that Mr Robinson and his family were not going far. They were removing to Matamata, and he wished, on behalf of the residents of the town, to assure them of a hearty welcome (applause). He then handed Mr Robinson a case of pipes, and Miss Robinson a larg<3 case of silver fish knives and forks. The guests were then accorded musical honors, and were the recipients of the best wishes from all present. A most enjoyable evening concluded with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne." MR M. McDERMOTT. The members of the Matamata Tennis Club, and friends, which included many prominent townspeople assembled in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening for the purpose of tendering a farewell social to Mr M. McDermott, the late secretary of the tennis club, who is shortly leaving to go into business at Putaruru. There was a large attendance, and the function proved to be most enthusiastic and enjoyable. The evening was mostly devoted to dancing, for which splendid music was played by Mr W. T. Darby's orchestra, but several good vocal items were interspersed, those contributing being Miss Myra Ross and Mr A. G. Yardley. Messrs F. Connell, B. Blennerhassettj and M. Stubbings were M'sC. A very nice supper was provided by the ladies committee, thus everything was in order for a function fitting the guest of the evening. Before supper Mr J. Price, vice-president of the Tennis club, was called upon to make a presentation of a solid leather suit-case to Mr McDermott. In doing so he said the recipient had, during his three years residence in Matamata taken a very prominent and useful part in the social life of the district, and had also been of great use in other directions. It was generally found that a good soldier (Mr McDermott was at theGallipoli landing) made a good citizen, and the guest had been both. His departure was the district's loss and he felt that Putaruru would gain. In conclusion he wished to particularly refer to the part taken by Mr McDermott in connection with the tennis club in which he had been a leading spirit in endeavoring to keep the courts in condition for the boys who were still on service. He, and all present wished him success in his new sphere. Mr McDermott was accorded musical honors, after which he suitably responded, thanking his friends for the honor and gift. The function concluded in the early hours with the singing of M Auld Lang Syne."