MANUREWA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 235, 15 December 1916, Page 1

MANUREWA.

MANUREWA TENNIS CLUB.

LIEUTENANT MABEE FARE-

WELfcED

A RECORD GATHERING

Under the auspices of the Manurewa Town Board, the Manurewa Road Board and the Manurewa Public Hali Trustees, with Messrs T. J. Corin (chairman Manurewa Town Board), G. F. Druce (chairman Manurewa Road Board), Alexander Muir (Manukau County Council), H. V. Burton (Manurewa Public Hall Trustees), T. W. Bell (secretary Manurewa Musical Society) and Percy Roy (Manurewa Road Board representing Weymouth) as the organising committee a farewell evening was tendered ?o Lieut. A. G. Mabee at the Manurewa Public Hall on Saturday the 9th of December, prior to his departure on active service. The building which had been artistically decorated wtth flowers, evergreens and flags by the committee was filled with a most representative audience.

Mr T. J. Corin (chairman of committee) carried out the duties of Master of Ceremonies and the following programme was rendered as a first part, viz : songs, " Master and Man" and "Nirvana," Mr T. C. Seaton; songs, "Sunshine of Your Smilo" and "Beautiful Rosos," Miss I. Yardly; duet, "Rose in the Bud," Mrs P. Ryan and Mr T. C. Seaton ; song, " Ave Maria," Mrs P Ryan; songs " Border Ballad " and " Bashful Tom," Mr T. C. Seaton ; song " Under the Circumstances," Mr H. V. Burton ; songs, " When you come Home," Miss I. Yardly ; song, "I Know a Lovely Garden," Lieut. A. G. Mabee; duet, " Watchman, what of the Night," Mr T. C. Seaton and Lieut. A. G. Mabee;song, "The Skipper," Mr H. V Burton. Mr T. C. Seaton ■acted as accompanist and Mrs Harold Walters supplied the dance music. After the first portion of the programme supper was served by the young ladies of the district, the catering being in the capable hands of Mr Frank Brinsmead.

Mr T. J. Corin, in rising to propose the best of health and good wishes and a safe return to Lieutenant Mabee stated that although not a long resident in Manurewa he had been in close touch with Mr Maybee in many business transactions and had always found him straight and 1 above board, always ready and willing to do whatever he could to further the., interests of the district. As chairman of the Town Board he was able to say that Mr Mabeo as the iirst town clork had rendered the Board much valuable assistance and the Board was indeed very sorry to lose his services. On behalf of the residents of Manurewa he asked Mr Mabee to accept a wallet of bank notes as a mark of the high esteem in which he was held by them. An officer's equipment, Mr Corin remarked, was an expensive one and as the Government was not too liberal with their allowance he hoped that Mr Maybee would use the money subscribed by the residents in purchasing the necessary articles required for his equipment. In conclusion he wished Mr Mabee good luck and a safe return. Mr H. V- Burton stated that it gave him very much pleasure to be present as representing the Manurewa Public Hall Committee, which body had met at a duly called meeting and had unanimously agreed that Mr Mabee should be given an honorarium in recognition of his long and valuable services rendered to the Hall Trustees. Mr Mabee had been hon secretary of the hall almost the whole time of its existence, and he had not only, had the business part of the concern to attend to but had voluntary cleared the hall on numerous occasions when it was impossible to get outside help. In fact, said Mr Burton, it did not matter what went amiss, it was " Oh ! go to Mabee ho will do it.'' His greatest critics all admitted his sterling business capabilities. Mr Burton concluded " I have true pleasure on behalf of the committee in handing to Mr Mabeo this cheque as an honorarium and token of our osteem and gratitude for the vory great assistance he has rendered to us as Trustees. We wish him a pleasant stay at Trent ham aud we are convinced that he will make a name for himself in tho noble profession in which he is about to ongage.'' Mr G. F. Druco, chairman of the Manurewa Road Board, stated that Mr Mabee had worked under him as clerk to the Board for the past live years and he could conscientiously say that he had not at any time met a moro straightforward, obliging and painstaking man. If anyoue in the district had already done his bit it was Mr Mabee, for had he not worked like three men for every patriotic function held there since the war started. It was due to his organisation that they have been successful in raising some £OOO in Manurewa, and having done all that good work at homo he was now going out to do his little bit in the trenche3. He wished him every success, good health and a safo return to Manurowa.

The Vicar (Rev. W. C. Wood) stated that it gave him the greatest pleasure to be present at a function held in honour of their guest. He (the speaker) had known Lieutenant Mabee for the past six years, and had always been much impressed with his capacity for wort. Mr

Mab o had entered into the a flairs of the district with remarkable zest, and the district would doubtless realise to the full his many good qualities after he had gone. The Vicar remarked ou the thoroughness with which Mr Mabeo completed every work he undertook and said that the fact of Mr Mabee having to many critics only went to prove his wonderful ability as an orgauiser and worker. Mr Wood concluded by extending to the guest hearty congratulations and good wishes fir his future.

Lieutenant Maboa was received with applause on rising to reply and thanked the vauous speakers for their kind and encouraging remarks. He stated that he would not say anything about what he had or had not done in Manurewa. He thanked the residents most sincerely for their good wishes and handsome present. He would apply the money towards the cost of his equipment and endeavour to use that equipment to tho best'of his ability.

The audience then rose on masse and sang "For He's a Joliy Good Fellow," after which dancing was carried on until 11.30, and one of the most successful functions yet held in Manurewa came to a close with the singing of the National Anthem.

A fine gathering of members met at tho courts on Saturday last, to witness tho challenge match (75 points) for the president's pins. Miss Walmsloy and Chris Lupton met D Warlich and Briton Pegler, and the latter scored an easy win. R. Craig and L. Pegler followed by beating the holders, and in turn S. and L. Craig wrested the trophies. The last-named then met the challengers, Mrs Phillips and Randrup, but the brothers Craig were able to defeat this double, aud are therefore the present holders. In presenting the pins to the first holders, D. Warlich and B. Pegler, the president said the object was to create competition, for competition was the life of businoss and it was certainly tho soul of sport. He trusted that it would be the source of much keen rivalry and he called on Mrs Phillips, a member of committee to adorn the winners.

Arrangements are being made to entertain the Valley team at Manurewa courts on Saturday, December 23rd, and it is possible a return match will be arranged at the Valley on Saturday, December 30th. ~

Mr and Mrs T. J. Corin gave a supper party at their residence, " Mons," Manurewa, on Friday last, the guest of the evening being Lieut. A. G. Mabee.

A musical programmo, concluding with the musical commedietta, " Trial By Jury," was repeated by special request in the Public Hall on Monday, December -Ith, in aid of the Servian Relief Fund At the conclusion of the entertainment the Society's committee tendered asupper to the non-members, Miss Laura Walker, Mr T. C. Seaton, Mrs Walters, M's Bailey and Mr A. G. Mabee, and also to Mr Corin (treasurer of the Bociety), all of whom had so generously assisted by their services to make tho series of concerts that have been given iu aid of patriotic funds such a success. Messrs Pegler, Burton, Druco and Bell and Mrs Eleinan spoke on behalf of tho Society, aud Miss Walker, Mrs Bailoy, Messrs Mabee, Seaton and Corin suitably replied. "Trial By Jury " has been given at Manurewa twice, Alfriston, Clevedon, Papakura and Bombay, and from these efforts a total sum of £7O, approximately, had been raised for patriotic purposes Rapid progress is being made with i;he grade easement works on the Manurewa section of the railway line and it is understood that the new station will be completed about February. There is little probability of the Railway Department reopening the enclosed portion of Weymouth road, their argument being that the Road Board concurred in the arrangement that was come to, viz., that the road should be be closed provided a bridge was erected at the site of the present station as has been done. The Department points out that the new bridge serves to connect both sides of the line and although previously a level crossing existed at the existing station the public had no rights over tho same.