VALEDICTORY DINNER

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 516, 23 March 1920, Page 2

VALEDICTORY DINNER

BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. TO MR. ('ECU. ROADLEY. Members of the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce attended in force at the Carnival Tea Rooms last night, when an official dinner was tendered to an active and highly respected member; Mr. C. Roadley. The president of the chamber (Mr. R. F. Webster) presided over the function, which passed olf very smoothly and happiJy for all present. Mr. Webster, in honouring the guest of the evening, said that Mr. Roadley was one of those men who were not always readily understood, but were goccl gold when fully tested out. He was sorry to lose a man who had always been willing to assist in all public matters. In connexion with patriotic work Mr. Roadley's name would long be remembered in Pukekohe. He trusted [ that getting rid of business worries would cause his health and strength to return.

Mr. H. Dell said that when he started there was not one other business man in Pukekohe. He therefore spoke as one of the oldest residents. He had seen business people come and go, but Mr. Roadley was one of those who stood up through thick and thin for what he believed to be right. Mr. Deli referred to ex-May-or Dunn. Mr. Shaw and other leadin." lights of byegone days, who, like the guest of the evening, stood up for principles, which were the only things worth living for. (Ap- | plause.) All the men who were worth while stuck to their principles. The guest of the evening was responsible for the advocacy of electric light, and if his recommendations had been carried out the lights would be going further than they are to-day. But people usually did not stand Jiy their principles, and for that reason the town could the more ill afford to lose a man of Mr. Roadley's type. Mr. P. Perkins endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker, describing Mr. Roadley as a progressive man in the school committee and Borough Council. We owed more to him than to any other man that we now enjoyed electric lighting. Some of the councillors were in favour of coal gas, but Mr. Roadley was not. Everyone now knew that electricity was the better. ' (Hear, hear.) Mr. Roadley had been a good) citizen, and he and his family had done splendid work in organising patriotic affairs. Such work, to a man of Mr. Roadley's age, must have cost a great sacrifice. (Applause.) Responding, Mr. Roadley said he came to Pukekohe six and a-half years ago. No doubt many of the adverse criticisms of him were caused through his own fault; people judge from effect and not from motives; that was inevitable. He had never, in the long run, found his being outspoken detrimental to his business. There were a, sufficient number of broad-minded people in Pukekohe to support a man irrespective of his opinions on public matters, even if he was downright in the expression of them. He had long prided himself on being the primemover of the electric lighting, but nevertheless he was pleased when he found that the Town Board had previously moved in the matter. However, he was also pleased to be able to retract the opinion that certain expenditure on the electricity powerhouse and system which he had condemned was proved right, and that he had been wrong in his previous opinions. For his letters in the paper some people approved and others laughed. Well, it was a good thing to make people laugh. If a man had to be hit it was well to hit hard. But he had never borne malice to anyone. He could say that he was leaving Pukekohe better than he found it. (Applause.) Mr. Roadley, who is over 70 years of age, rendered a song, "Gallants of England,'' very harmoniously and with surprising vocal vigour for his years. Mr. V. S. Roberts sang very acceptably, Mr. Cannel ably accompanying.

And so probably ends the public career of an unique character in Pukekohe. Had there been more time, without another meeting to follow, other phases of Mr. Roadley's varied character might have been touched on. For instance, the departing guest, though the success of his business probably depended, in Pukekohe and elsewhere, on the well-to-do classes of the community, has always been a valiant champion of the rights of the "bj>Uom dog," and in both private and public life both he and Mrs. Roadley and family have done much to alleviate distress and help along various movements for the emancipation of people less fortunately circumstanced than they themselves were and are. These qualities of heart, especially when, as in the present instance, they are directed by considerable intellectual capacities, are the attributes which make the world a better place to live in.

MR.. AND MRS. J. R. McRAE. In spite of the unfavourable weather prevailing last evening there was a large attendance at the farewell function tendered to Mr and Mrs J. R. Mcßae by members of Si Andrew's Church in the Oddfellows' Hall. A progressive euchre tournament formed the chief form of entertainment. In the gents' class Mr H. Hoirocks gained first prize and Mr. J. Weston secured the booby prize. Among the ladies the competition was very keen, five tieing for first place. A draw was decided on, the winner turning up to he Miss L. Perkins. The five who tied were Misses L. IN rkins, Hamlin, I. Adams, Mesdaims R. Brovvnlee and W. 11. Fawceti . For the ladies booby prize five al. ■ lied, namely Mesdames J. Duncan, I . Bayly, Misses Hewlett. Muller and Laird. In the draw for the pi'izi Miss Laird was successful. During an interval the Rev. J. P. Cowie on In half of the congregation of St. Andrew's Church presented Mr and Mrs Mcßae with a beautiful, silve mounted salad howl in recogii'tio ; and appreciation of their valuable services to the church. Mr. Cowi eulogised the work of both in all branches, expressing regret at their depature from the district. He wished them Godspeed and success in their future home at Green Lane. Mr. Mcßae suitably responded. statin;: that what he and Mrs McRae had done had only been their duty.

Supper was provided, and a pleasant function terminated with the rendeiing of the National Anthem.