A FAREWELL GATHERING.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 54, 24 December 1912, Page 3

A FAREWELL GATHERING.

Interesting Function at Hunua. There was a large gathering of the residents uf Hunua on Friday night to say "good-bye" to Mr and Mr? J T. who are leaving the district. For many years Mr and Mrs Stemhridge have played an imp'rtant uart in the development of the diurict. and on all hands regret was expressed that Hunua was losing .-uch s-terling settlers. Tlie function took the form of a supper, with speeches and a dance. Mr (). Campbell occupied the cr.air. The c, atomary loyal toast, "The King,'" was honoured. The ehairman, in proposing the toast of the evening, "Our (iiiests," said that it had been hid pleasure to know Mr Stemhridge for some 10 jears, and there were many present who had known him for n longer period, Thai th ■pinion formed hart been favi urahle was certain, oth' rwi j e th y would not have been th>re that night. They all have differed with MrSteniiiridgein public matters, fnr Mr Stemhridge was a man v.ho had his own opinions, hut ihey had always found him a good fighter an'l a fneman worthy of their sttcl. Mr Stcmtindge possessed the faculty of differing fmm people without '|uarrelli>g. Mr St?ml>ridge had worki'i persistently ami determineilly, .Hid this had gained for him success. Ik referred '<> Mr Stcm-bri-igc's enti rprii-e in openii / a stoic at Hunua, an I thrniiijli his j>uh}i he had s icceeded where mat \ wool'l h.i.'e failed. They would miss him from the district, but all would wish him

u qualifier! tu ■■ ess In his new jphere. The speaker paid a high tribut" to the xc. 11 = 1.1 qulities ol Mis Steroi rioge, who had aiwavs teen willing

to extend a helping han a-dco.dial sympathy (o those who needed it. There were many who had reason u let f.l tu Mis aten I id e for her kindmsa t-.nd who woJd deeply reiiret her d. parturc The toist was thin dr;:'. with musical honours.

Mr LocKwcofi, in presenting Mr St mbridge wi h an illuminated address, paid a high tribute !o their guest for ths enesEV he ha i always displayed in all matters affecting the w lfare of the district. Like all strong men, Mr olemhridg: had Lft his mark behind him. Very complimentary references were made to the splendid v.ork done by Mr Stemt ridge or, tr e rosds. "No man had ever worked harder for the roads or for the district he had lived in th n Mr S'.embridae," said the fpeaker, amid loud applau e. He endorsed the chairman's remarks concert ing Mrs Stemh'ickt than whom a kiudlier lady bad never exieted He then asked Mr sjtemlridge to accept th" address, and wished him ar.d his family long life and rrosperity. Thp address, which was very tastelully sot up, bearing at the teai a picture of the Huntw Falls, was worded as foil .w?:—"To Mr J. T. Stembridge, J.P.: Di ar Sir.—On the eve of your departure from Hunua to your new sphere of labour, we ft el we canr.ot allow the occasion to pass without some recognition of the valuable services you have freely rendered at all times for the benefit and advancement of the district. On behalf of the various public and local bodies with which you have been identified for many years we wish to assure you of the high esteem in which you are held amongst us. We congratulate you on your welln.erited rppoirtment to the responsible putlic position you now hold. We aho tender to Mrs Stemb'Cge our heartfelt appreciation of the many kindnesses the has always so readily rendered to one and all. We trjst that you both may be long spared to enjoy health and prosperity in your new surroundings." Mr Stembridge, in reply ing, thanked the speakers for the many flattering remarks made concerning himself, his wife and his family. He prided him?elf on the fact that he had opiniors, and confessed that he relishid a fight, but he never al'owed fighting to interfere with friendship. He detailed his introduction to public life in the Hurua district, and gave an account of si'me of the battles over various r.ads. He considered they wereciving him too much credit forthe work ;o e. Certar I? he had worked, but he could not have accomplished what had been done had it not been for the stippoit of the settlers. Refeience was made to how the new read came to be, and he was very proud to say that he drove the first peg in the new road, did the first work on it, and drove the first vehicle over it. '1 hough leavirg Hunua he would always havp a warm corner in his he&rt for the many friends he hud made during his residence in the district. In conclusion, he thanked them all for ths very handsome addrers, which would be treasured by himself and his family, and for the kindness shown them that evening. The following toasts were also honoured: "Army and Navy," proposed by Mr Fox, responded to by Mr J. F. Deane; "The Ladies," proposed by Mr Barter, responded to by Mr C. Stembridve; "The Press," proposed by Mr Lnckwood, responded to by Mr Cargill ("Pukekobe -ard Waiuku Times"); "1 he Chairman," proposed by Mr J. T. Stemhridge. During the evening Mr Fox contributed a song.

At v the conclusion of the cpeeches three hearty cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Stembridge. The hall was then cleared for dancing, which was kept up till day broke.