VALEDICTORY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40024, 16 November 1929, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

SEND-OFF TO MR. A. E. SCOTT,

Members of the Foxton Cliambey of Commerce, School Committee, Lunch Club, Returned Soldiers’ Committee .foregathered in the Masonic Hall last, evening to bid farewell to Mr. A. E. Scott, who is, shortly leaving Foxton for Wellington. *

The function, which took the form of a smoke concert, was presided over by Mr. J. K. Hornblow (President of the Foxton (Chamber of Commerce). Apologies for absence .were received from Messrs W. H. Nicholas, F. C. Raikes, R. Rangiheuea, S. H. Poole and ,F. A. Mason. " CITIZENS TRIBUTE. The Mayor (Mr. M. E. Perreau) proposed the toast of “Our Quest” and in doing so he said it was with great regret that lie had learned of the proposed departure from Foxton of Mr. and Mrs. Scott .and family. Mir. Scott had always been a citizen-of first quality' and the town could ill afford to lose his services. At all times he had willingly plaited liis. shoulder to the wheel in any movement for the advancement of the town and district. He had been connected with practically every institution in the town, in all eases proving himself , a real “live wire.” An ideal citizen, they were so dry to lose him, but lie was going away to (better himself and on behalf of the citizens of the town Mr. Perreau wished Mr. and Mrs, Scott health and happiness in their new sphere of life. RETURNED SOLDIERS’ EULOGY., Mr. M. B. Bergin, on behalf of tho local and district returned soldiers, expressed their regret at the impending departure of Mr. Scott form Foxton, and said it was the sincere wish of the returned men that Mr. Scott would long enjoy the fruits of prosperity, happiness and good health. Mi-. Bergin said that Mr. Scott’s active interest in local affairs had been referred to by the previous speaker, but to no more of his activities had he displayed such zest oir covered himself with such honour as he had in the capacity of secretary to the Returned Soldiers’ Committee (applause). His enthusiasm, - continued Mr. Bergin, had made the local committee a live body in the town, imbued with vitality and good-will. It was largely due to Mr. Scott’s efforts that the returned men now had their annual re-unions—and they were real reunions too —said the speaker amidst applause, and that the chilxlren of the returned men had their Christmas carnival. In every movement to further the interests or advance the claims of the R.S.A. Mr. Scott had been.found in the vanguard. Mr. Bergin expressed the hope that the returned men on this front would keep alive the then activities so able started and that when difficulties confronted them that they would remember “Scottie” and keep the flag flying. Without exception- they expressed their .deepest regret at his departure. They realised that a leader they could ill afford to lose was “going ■west,” a leaded-.who had not only won but retained the affection and admiration of a critical hand of followers who joined that night in y. Riling their guest farewell, health, happiness and prosperity. * I Mi-. Win. Trueman endorsed Mr. Bergin’s remairks. He expressed his pleasure at having been associated with Mr. Scott in his work on behalf of the returned men in this district. It was the general opinion, that they were uncritical lot and hot adverse to “grouse” and when it was remembered that Mr. Scott had given entire satisfaction to everyone then he considered he was a man greatly to be respected. He was sorry “Seottie” was going “south” but he hoped that when in Wellington, lie would link up with the 11.5. A. there where lie would have greater scope ifor liis abilities and be of gireater assistance to the returned men as a Avliole. x

- Mr. ]?•.-. Byne on behalf of the “Diggers” added his tribute to the popularity of the guest of the evening.

■Mr. H. Reid (chairman of the lie turned Soldiers’ Committee, termed Mr. Scott the soul of the local organisation. Ilis organising abilities had bben very great and the committee would not have been able to keep its head above water without his assistance.

TRIBUTE FROM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. ,

Mr. JD. Christie (vice-president) Toferred to. Mr, Scott’s association with the Foxton Chamber of Commerce practically ever since he had been in Fpxton. An active member, his criticism had lalways been most welcome and helpful. He had been regular in his attendance and a citizen they did,*not want to lose. Mr. Ct. F. Smith endorsed Mr. Christie’s remarks and said the business people of the town sincerely regretted Mr.' Scott’s departure. Mr. Smith also paid a tribute to Mrs. Scott whose assistance aud co-operation must have proved a great help to her husband. The loss sustained by Foxton by the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Scott was Wellington’s gain. .REMARKS FROM LUNCH CLUB MEMBERS. Rev. W. H. Walton reviewed Mr Scott’s association with the Foxton Lunch Club in the formation of which he had been a keen participant. Mr. Scott had done a great deal to keep the Club alive. In addition, to his other activities. Mr. Scott had been a faithful member of All Saints’ Church and faithful He had set a very fine 'example to his fellows. He had been a power and influence for good

•and had proved himself .a good citizen, father and friend and liis companionship would be missed at the Lunch .Club.

Air. I. Corn (secretary of the Lunch Club) referred to Mr. Scott’s willing assistance at all times with matters pertaining to the Club. lie was an active member of many institutions, a willing worker who never had to be asked to help with anything. lie was. always ready with suggestions and practical assistance. He hoped that Mr. and Mrs. Scott would have as happy a time in Wellington as they had here. PATRIOTIC SOCIETY. Mr. \V. E. Barber (chairman of the Manawatu County Council and Patriotic. Society) said he had been -a-keen observer of all things pertaining to the welfare ol‘ Foxton and lie had always seen Air. Scott associated with every move for the betterment of liis town and fellow man. He had been pleased to have been associated xvitli Mr. Scott in business and otherwise. His assistance ,in patriotic matters had been most helpful. He would always be a valuable citizen in any community.

THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND OTHERS.

Mr. John Ross eulogised the guest of the evening on behalf of tile. School Committee with which lie had been actively associated. While they regretted losing such a capable committeeman as Mr. (Scott they did not entertain any fears as to his suee'ess in other parts as he would he sure to better himself wherever he went. * Messrs Jones and W. E. Bullard added their tributes to the guest of the evening. The hea|th of Air. and Alrs.-»Seott was (then drunk with musical honours-. THE PRESENTATION. The chairman called on Mi*.-Scott to accept a cheque from the local bodies with whom lie had been associated and said that he felt sure that the good deeds of the recipient would live long in the. memory @f members of the local, community whom he had so ably served. The chairman said the recipient was the possessor of a wonderful temperament. He was of a happy nature, and never turned anything down. He wood do a thing rather than aslk .anyone else to do it loir him. He possessed initiative and diplomacy which made him ah excellent citizen. He hoped he would regard the presentation as but . a slight .token of the esteem in which he was held locally.

Air' Scott was unable to reply for some seconds, owing to the deafening applause that greeted him on rising to his feet, which 'drew forth the succinct remark, “Gentlemen, I have decided not to go.away.” Mr Scott thanked the speakers and those present for their good wishes and presentation. They had done him a great honour that evening. He would miss his associations very much on leaving Foxton as he had made many friends and would have to sever numerous pleasurable associations. He referred to his.association with the various local bodies and urged on those present the necessity for their loyal support in the interests of the town. The Returned men had been solely responsible for the success of the committee’s activities themselves by their loyal support and he hoped that they would continue to keep together. He would hate to think that the organisation would fall through and trusted that they would go on and be just the same live body, as they wore when first constituted by AH' F. Yeo and small committee which first met- in his office. He also thanlked the speakers for their kindly references to Airs Scott, without whose co-oper-ation and assistance be would not have been able to do what little he had been alble to accomplish. His only regret was that he had not been able to be of greater assistance to the town and on looking back now it did not seem that he had accomplished much to warrant such a send-off. His only wish was that Foxton would continue to prosper ami that the people would be.loyal to their local organisations and give them that support which they so ably merited.

During the evening vocal and instrumental items were rendered by Messrs G. F. Smith, A. Jones, R. Byne, and I. Corn. Messrs Johnson (violin) and J. Newton (piano) provided the music, -h.. At the conclusion of the function Mr Scott was “ehaired” while “Auld Lang Syne” was sung, bringing a close to a very pleasant social evening.