WHANGARATA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 389, 5 July 1918, Page 4

WHANGARATA.

AIR. AND MRS. RAPBON FARE WELLED. A farewell card party and danei was tendered to Mr. and Mrs. G. W Rapson and family on Friday night la-t in tlic- Whangarata School, there li.-iiig a very large attendance from :i!l over the- district—a fact that demonstrated in an emphatio mannw the esteem in which the euests of the •veiling were held in the district. llr. Rapson, after 17} years spent as head teacher in the Whangaraia School, has been transferred to a

similar po.-ition in the Harrisville School, and the residents of Whangarata decided to show their regard for him and Mrs. Rapson in some tancrilile form. Friday's gathering being th» result. Miss Margery Fulton, a tiny little dot, with a few choice words, presented Mrs. Rapson with a eameo brooch, neatly set in gold, and Mr. (i. P. Ewing supplemented the little •iirl by mentioning that the brooch was a token of esteem from the people of Whamrarata for the part Mrs. Rapson had always taken in the social and patriotic activities of the district. He hoped she would lmi'.' lie spared to wear the gift. Mr. Ewing also presented Mr. Rapson- with a leatlu:r suit ease as a memento of goodwill and appreciation from past pifiils and parents for the good work he had accomplished in the district. He trusted Mr. Rapson would accept the present in the same kindly spirit which had actuated the people in offering it, Mr. P. J. Cooney (Chairman of the School Committee) spoke of the splendid record Mr. Rapson bad secured as headmaster of the school, and he referred to the noble response his pasi pupils had made to the Empire's call in her hour of need, which bore testimony to the spirit of unselfishness ami knowledge of duty inculcated in the school. Mr. .1. Fulton (President of the Farmers' Union) eulogised the good work both Mr. and Mrs. Rapson hail accomplished since they came to Whangarata, and instanced the fine library that, is now in the school m a monument of their nntirimr efforts in organising social functions do provide funds for ibis and other purposes.

Mr. Rapson, on rising to respond, received a great ovation. He thanked the people on hit own and Mrs. Rapson's behalf, and said tho time ho had spent in Whangarata had been a very happy part of his life, and he would always remem.ier with feelings tf pleasure tht perfect harmtny that had existed betw«en the Sehool Committee and himself during the whole of his term as head teacher. The prizes in the card tournament were won by Miss Lawrence (ladies') and Mr. Hastio (men's). After refreshments, which were provided by the ladies, had bean partaken of by all present, dancing was kept up with great vim well into the rooming hours to music supplied by Messrs. J. W. Whitetsides and J. Ludwig. Altogether, a most enjoyable evenincr was spent.