Social and Presentation.

Manawatu Herald, 28 April 1898, Page 2

Social and Presentation.

Last night one of the most pleasant evenings was passed, when a social and dance was held in honour of Mrs J. R. Stansell and her family. The opportunity was also taken advantage of to give Mrs Stansell a souvenir of the kindly feelings felt towards her during the nine years the family have been here. The social went off excellently, the number present, representing sul sorts and conditions of men and women. The proceedings opened wtfj _ march capitally played hy Messvs Pickering and Tombs (cornet and piano.) Mr T. Cook sang " Unfurl the Banner," and then Mr T. Westwood »aye a recitation entitled "The Inventor's Wife's Story." both these performers being well received, and much applauded. THE PRESENTATION. Mr Thynne, who had been depuijad ay the Committee, then addressed thofte present. He said that it was hoped :hat an old friend of Mr and Mrs Stansell would have been present, he referred to Mr John R. Russell, but

UnFortuna.eily, he was unable tc corite _md he . read a .letter ii which Mr Russell expressed all gooc wishes. He pointed out how the gathering that evening testified to th« respedt and liking Mr and Mrs Stansel Were held in. He instanced the man) acts of hospitality which they had done iidt merely to the townspeople but alsc to visitors j which had necessarilj helped to make the town and distric! better known. He remarked that the elder people would be the ones to miss Mr and Mrs Stansell, but every young person would feel the loss of eitbei their fine sons or their pretty daughters. Further on he instanced the many acts of kindness and charity shown by Mrs Stansell to those who were in pain or who had suffered from the loss ot a dear one. More directly addressing Mrs Stansell, Mr Thynne said he had been asked to request her acceptance of a small token from her many friends in Foxton, which though not of great money value, would yet, he hoped, be valued highly by her as a memento of the many friends she had made in Foxton, and that whilst away her thoughts would at times wander back to the place she had resided so long in. In asking her to accept the ring he hoped, in common with all present that God would always bless her and her family. (Applause.) Mr Thynne then handed the ring, a gold band with a diamond in the centre, and engraved with the initials —"C.M.5.," Foxton, 1898— to Mrs Stansell. Mr Edmund Osborne then said he had most readily consented to also testily as to the good qualities of Mrs Stansell and her family, but he found that all the kind things he intended to say had already been mentioned by Mr Thynne. Mr Osborne, however, in the course of a humorous speech, spoke of many things highly creditable to both Mr and Mrs Stansell, and after the applause following his speech had subsided, the musicians present played the air to " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," which livened those present into singing the last verse. Mr Stansell then stepped on the stage and addressed those assembled in the following words : — " Ladies and Gentlemen, — I never held it to be quite fair that married woman should always expect her husband to be her spokesman. Mrs Stansell, however, insists upon it on this occasion, and with some misgivings I approach the otherwise pleasant task of addressing a few words of thanks to the many kind friends assembled here to-night. First of all Mrs Stansell wishes me to say that she is rather overwhelmed at this instance of your friendship and is deeply grateful to you all. She wishes once again to assure you that she much regrets leaving Foxton where we have publicly and privately always met with support and kindness in our earnest striving to promote the interest of the place and people. It is always hard to have to leave one's old and good friends and to seek for new ones. We trust we shall have many opportunities for meeting you in the future. You will always find a hearty welcome awaits any of you in our new home, and tonights ceremony is evidence that you won't be sorry to see us at any time in Foxton. I have just a few more words to say on my own behalf. If pride is at all pardonable in a man, surely this is the time for me to feel proud ! You have Eublicly honoured the wife who has een my "better half" through so many years and I am not ashamed to say I am proud to be in this position. My success in matrimony leads me to advise every young man to " go and do likewise " and if he can only manage to get hold of the right kind of girl his happiness and prosperity are assured. My wife's bashfulness will not permit me to enlarge any further upon this subject but if you think it over you will find my advice good. Now kind friends I must finish. Once more my wife's, my own and our family's heartfelt thanks to you for this substantial proof of your good-will and kindness." — (Applause.) Mr Forrest gave a dialogue from Dion Bouciaault'e piny "Con, tbe Shaughran," whioh wa? rendered in a masterly manner, and wat> muoh appreciated, after which Mr W. Cook sang " Oh, Promise Me." Mr J. McQueen delighted those present wilh some amusing and crisp "patter," being a short series of little stories. He proved himself to be thoroughly acquainted with the stage, and this gent'eman will be a deoided acquisition at any future entertainment. Sapper was then handed round, and thus concluded the social part. THE DANCE. The hall was immediately after cleared for dancing, which it is needless to say was quickly done. The floor after one or two dances began .to improve until it beoame all that could be washed for, the music was perfect, so that everyone who s'ayed for the danoe must have thoroughly enjoyed it. The dancers kept things merry until 3 a.m., when it broke np. The Committee of ladies and gent'emen who promoted and organised the affair are to be comp'imented on ita success.