POPULAR PUNI RESIDENTS FAREWELLED

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 544, 29 June 1920, Page 3

POPULAR PUNI RESIDENTS FAREWELLED

MR. AND MRS. F. BURGESS, AND MR. GEO. LUCAS.

Residents of Puni and surrounding districts assembled in large numbers at the Puni Hall last evening to bid

farewell to Mr. and Mrs. F. and Mr. Geo. Lucas, who are leavkgp Puni to take up their residence at Pukekawa, where they have acquired a farm. That they were popular residents was amply demonstrated by the large gathering. Dancing was the chief form of •entertainment, and the bracing' atmosphere suited trip- , pers of the light simply revelled in the smooth going ' —the floor being in tip-top c'ondi- '• tio». The music was contributed by ! Mr. K. L. Cannell (piano) and Mr. ; J. Hindman (cornet), while a number I of extras were contributed by Misses , Fulton and Wearing. Mr. Cyril Ful- ' ton proved an efficient M.C. During an interval in the proceedi ings Mr. Robert Fulton explained the - objects of the gathering. He said , the guests of the evening, who were . well known and highly respected by all with whom they came in contact, were departing at the end of the ! month to take up their residence at '■ Pukekawa, where they had purchased a farm. Mr. Frank Burgess had only been a resident for three years, but during that time he had made himself a really good fellow. Mrs. Burgess was better known than Mr. Burgess, she having spent most of her life at Puni. Both had r.lways been great workers at all functions connected with the district, especially i in connexion with war efforts. They : would all miss Mr. and Mrs. Bur- , gess in Puni, and added, "their ', places would be hard to fill." Referring to Mr. Burgess, Mr. Fulton said 1 he had always taken a keen interest ■ in sport, and his sporting proclivi- ■ ties had won for him numerous friends, but no enemies. He had been one of the movers for the formation of a Referees' Association in : Franklin, and it was mainly due to this association that football was continued successfully in the district. "The next was our old friend, Geo. Lucas." (Voices: "Good old George.") Mr. Fulton, continuing, taid George had been born and reared at Puni, and when the war broke out was one of the first Puni boys to offer his services to uphold the traditions of the great British Empire. He got sway with the Fifth Reinforcements, was wounded, but stuck to the good old game until the end. He was an honest and conscientious young man, and was always willing to assist in rnything for the benefit of the district. George took a great interest iri football, and was a member of the senior fifteen of the Pukekohe Football Club. He would be sadly missed from Puni. On behalf of the residents he wished the trio success on their new farm. (Loud applause.) Mr Fulton called on Mr. C. K. LawHe (Mayor of Pukekohe) to make the presentations. His Worship said he did not know the departing guests very well, with the exception jf Mr. Lucas. He added that judging by Ihe attendance the guests were held in high esteem by the residents. Mr. Fulton, who knew them very well, bed covered the whole of the ground, so he had verv little to say. On behalf of the residents he presented Mr. F. Burgess with a case of pipes, Mrs. Burgess with an afternoon teaset, and Mr. G. Lucas with a pipe (in case) and tobacco pouch as a mark of the esteem and appreciation in which they were held. He wished them happiness and prosperity in their future sphere of life. "For They are Jolly Good Fellows", was rendered, and the recipients suitably responded. Mr. Burgess, on behalf of himself and his better half, thanked them for the valuable presents. Mr. Burgess said he did not deserve what he had received, seeing he had only been in Puni for three years. He had done what he possibly could for the benefit of the district, and himself as well. A newcomer to a district should always endeavour to assist that particular district along. He had been an ardent admirer of sport,

particularly football, and had always fostered clean football. He always "put down" uncle in tactics on the football field. Mr. Lucas also suitably replied. Refreshments were duly appreciat-

The .function was an unqualified success from all points of view, thanks to the work of the eneriretic secretary, Mr. C. Dazeley, and his committee, who worked assiduously throughout.