POPULAR PUREKOHE RESIDENTS FAREWELLED.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 463, 4 April 1919, Page 2

POPULAR PUREKOHE RESIDENTS FAREWELLED.

There was a large attendance of Pubekohe residents at the Premier Hall, Pukekohe, last Monday evening, the occasion being 'ft farewell social in honour of Mr and : Mrs Barter, and their niece, Miss Barter, on the eve of their departure for Auckland, where in future they intend to reside.

The various organisations with **bj£h the guests of the evening were were well represented, and a moßt\leasant evening was spent. An ajology for absence was received from Mr F. Hubbard, an exmembegdf the Borough CouuciL Tjpriwage was artistically decorated greenery and bunting, thanks to the efforts of members of the local branoh oi the Women's Patriotic league. The Mayor (Mr H. G. R. Mason) presided, and after the National Anthem had been rendered, His Worship, on behalf of the Borough Council (of which Mr Barter had been a member for the last four years), spoke a few words of farewell. Mr Mason said that during the years Mr Barter had bee" connected with the Borough Council he had won the respect and confidence of his fellow Councillors by his unfailing courtesy towards them and his willingness to assist whenever required. He added that at the Council table they had had arguments and differences of opinion, but on every occasion Mr Barter's actions showed him to be a thorough gentleman. He was chairman of the Council's Lighting and Waterworks Committees, and during his connection therewith he had improved the lighting of the town, and the waterworks had also been subject to vast improvement. A large amount of labour had been attached to the position of chairman of those committees, and Mr Barter had proved himself to be an assiduous and energetic worker. He (Mr Mason), as Mayor of Pukekohe, eulogised the valuable assistance he had received from Mr Barter, whom, he regretted very much, was leaving them. He wished Mr, Mrs, ana Miss Barter success and prosperity in their future sphere of life.

The Rev. J. P. Cowie, in the name of the Anglican congregation, of which the guests of the evening were members, spoke in appreciation of the admirable assistance rendered by Mr Barter during his connection with the Church. On behalf of himself and his parishioners he wished Mr and Mrs Barter long life, happiness, and prosperity in their future life. Mr C. K Lawrie, President of the Pukekehe Patriotic League, referred in glowing terms to the excellent work accomplished by Mr Barter during the four years the League was in vogue. Mr Lawrie added that Mr Barter was an out-and-out " sport." and a thorough gentleman. Mr "Monty" Wright apologised for the absence of the President of the Bowling (Jlub (Mr H. Bockett), and, on behalf of the bowlers, wished the guests of the evening success in in future life, and Miss Barter sue cess and prosperity in her new home. The Revs S. J F Martin, on behalf of the Presbyterian and Methodist communities respectively, referred to the sterling qualities of the departing guests. On behalf of the Women's Patriotic League Miss Webster bade farewell to Mr Mrs and Miss Barter and referred to the fine work accomplished by the two latter in connection with the League. They were always prompt and ready, she sail, to do what they could towards the welfare of our boys who went forward to uphold the traditions of the British Empire. She trusted that they would be spared to enj ly many years of happy life and prosperity. Mr D. R. Hamilton, after apologising for the unavoidable absence of the President of the Franklin A., and P. Association, Mr Dynes Fulton, sard on behalf of th« A. and P Society he wished Mr Mrs and Miss Barter continued success and prosperity in their future life The Mayor at this stage as an expression of goodwill and the esteem in which they were held by the citizens of Pukekohe, presented Mr and Mrs Barter with a solid silver tea tray. He stated that the recipients were intimately associated with many activities in public life. Tbey always showed themselves good citizens and they would carry away with them the very best wishes of the citizens of Pukekohe

Captain N. L Brown on behalf of the Pukekohe Volunteer Fire Brigade, presented Mr and Mrs Barter with a handsome pipe in case and a solid silver vase respectively. In so doing, he referred to the excellent work accDmplished by Mr Barter during his chairmanship of the Firo Brigade Committee. " For They are Jolly Good Fellows " was rendered and Mr Barter on rising to respond was greeted with rounds of applause. He thanked one and all for Ihe tokens of appreciation and the kindly sentiments voiced. He was forced, he said, to realise that what he had done for the district was appreciated and after what he hid hear ! that night he would depart feeling a much better man. His four years' cmnection with the Borough Council hal been a p'easure to him He siid he would ciny away wi'h Lira many pleasaut recollections of his four years in public life iu Puke kohe As regards his connection with patriotic wjrk he only did his duty for the boys who went forward to for justice, right and liberty Speaking in connection with Anglican Church affairs he said he had formulated a scheme whereby a legacy could be obtained to solve the financial matters of the church and he urged the vestry to introduce it. He thanked the members of the various othei chuiolies for their kindly remarks. In thanking the Fire Brigade for the tokens of ap precision he said Pukekohe had a great asset in a Brigade. Fukekohe, he believed, had a great future be fore it and in a few years' time he thought it would be a second PalmerstoncNorth He urge&vthe people to pull,together and to push

their town, ahead. In conclusion, be stated that he intended to reside in Auckland and therefore would not say " Good-bye but only Au Revoir" as he hoped to have the pleasure of meeting Pukekoheites on many future occasions.

; During the evening vocal items were rsnderad by Mines Hyde, Rowe, Clarice, Messrs H. V. Roberts, " Pom " Watson, " Scotty " Young, Cpl. Luke Wilson and Master Wootten, while a pianoforte solo was executed by Miss Millicent Taylor.

Refreshments provided by the Women's Patriotic League were handed round and hilly appreciated. The singing of " Aula Lang Syne " and of the " National Anterminated a most successful function. ..