VALEDICTION AT DRURY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 551, 23 July 1920, Page 1

VALEDICTION AT DRURY

MR. JOS. FLANAGAN. . PIONEER OF FRANKLIN 1 . HIGHLY-ESTEEMED RESIDENT. (Own Correspondent.) A very successful concert and social was held in the Drury Hall on Friday last, July IG, to bid farewell to Mr. Joseph Flanagan, who has sold his farm and is shortly leaving the district. Mr. Flanagan is one of the best-known men in Drury, having resided there for the last -12 years, and one who always took a very keen interest in public matters and in anything going forward for the betterment of the district. There was a large attendance of his friends and the residents of the district to give him a hearty farewell. Letters and telegrams of apology for their absence containing plenty of good wishes for Mr. Flanagan's future happiness and success were received from Messrs. J. Henry, R. Lvons, H. Wilcox, T. J. Lockwood, W. Batty, and W. Claud Motion (old colleagues on the Franklin County Council). During the evening a short concert programme was put through, consisting of songs bv Mrs. Walters, Mrs. Nicholson, Miss Kay, Miss Brierly. and Mr. Chapman, some good recitations by Miss Joyce Bremr.ier, and a pianoforte duet by Mrs. Nicholson and Miss G. McNaughton. Mr. W. H. C. Glasson capably carried out the duties of chairman, and briefly spoke of the good work done by Mr. Flanagan, and the loss that Drury would sustain by his absence. Mr. J. D. McNaughton. the Drury schoolmaster, the Rev. Hales of Papakura, and the Rev. Hewlett also spoke of the good qualities of the guest as a citizen, and of his good work as a public man, and his help in all matters for the benefit, of the community.

The Rev. Hewlett, at the conclusion of his address, presented Mr. Flanagan with an illuminated address, freely subscribed for by the inhabitants of Drury and surrounding districts, as a lasting token of their esteem and appreciation of his pood work. Mr. Flanagan suitably responded, and sincerely thanked the audience for their presence, which, he assured them, he very much appreciated. The singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and hearty cheers for the guest were then given with great gusto,, the echoes of which had scarcely died av/ay when an excellent supper was being passed around, consisting of tasty sandwiches and tea prepared by the ladies and luscious cakes supplied by Mr. Gardiner, the Drury baker. The hall was then quickly cleared for dancing, the good floor and the good music supplied by Messrs. H. Cossey and C. Morgan, assisted by Mrs. Lodge and Mrs Sloane, making it very enjoyable for old and voung. Most of the elderly people had dispersed to their homes by midnight, hut the younger folk stayed it out until the musicians struck at 2 a.m. The illuminated address presented to Mr. Flanagan read as follows: "Mr. Joseph Flanagan- Dear Sir: We, the residents of Drury, desire im the occasion of your departure from our district, to place on record the esteem in which you arc held, and our appreciation oi the many services rendered by you during the past forty years. During those years you have served almost continuously in some public capacity, with very great credit to yourself and the Drury Road Board, and __for some years chair? man of the Franklin County Council, and ably assisted in the establishment of the Public Hall, which has been a source of great pleasure and benefit. "During the great war, as a member of the Efficiency Committee, valuable service was rendered by you. The New Zealand Farmers' Union and the Farmers' Union Trading Company are indebted to you as one of the original promoters. On the land, as in public affairs, you were always on the side of progress; your intelligent and businesslike methods have proved you a successful farmer. "As a friend and a neighbour you wen ever what these words , should imply. You were always a I generous giver, and ready with a helping hand where help was needed. We trust you will be spared for many years of further usefulness to your country, and all unite

in wishing you God-speed .Mid a long, pleasant, and happy future. - Signed, on behalf of the community, W. H. C. Glasson (chairman of committee), S. Fielding (secretary of committee), July "A 1920, Drurv, Auckland.'' To the above the "Times" would like to add {fiat Mr. Flanagan, as manager for C. T. Williams (later f'-rmed into the Karaka Land Company) was the first to give practical mid'profitable demonstration of unal could be produced from the Karaka land. His pioneering work in this connexion has been of lasting benefit to the district. We heartily endorse the tributes paid to an upright, honourable man, one who has deserved well of his generation, and whose shoes will be hard to fill.