VALEDICTORY.

Shannon News, 7 February 1928, Page 3

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATION TO MR W. N. ANDERSON. A very pleasant social evening took place at the Druids’ Hall on Saturday, when a large number. of the staff of the Horowheinia County Council assembled to make a presentation to Mr W. N. Anderson, retiring County Engineer, an,d Airs Anderson, prior to their departure, from Levin. In making the presentation on behalf ■ of the outdoor staff, Air Geo. Watson - spoke of .the very cordial relations existing between the staff and the Engineer and expressed the hope that Air Anderson would speedily recover his usual health. Several of the men also spoke in a similar strain. Air Anderson was then the recipient of a beautiful gold watch engraved with the following inscription: “Presented to William N. Anderson, Esq., as a token of esteem and respect from the outdoor staff of the Horowheinia County Council.” Airs Anderson was presented with an afternoon tea service.

In responding later in the evening, Air Anderson spoke feelingly of the spirit which had animated the whole of the staff and though lie had been among men all his life, no man could wish a more loyal crowd of deal with. There had been times when he had to get some of them out of bed in the middle of the night, in cases of emergency, but they always responded without any growl. He said how very pleased he was to see so many of them there that night as it brought home to him very vividly the respect they had for him. It was also very kind of some of"the men*to come so far to ,do him honour. There were men present from Tokomaru to Waikanae.

The evening was passed very pleasantly with danees and with a musical programme of quality not often heard in Levin and. was supplied by members of the County staff, tlieir wives and families, and including the 'following items: Song by Airs Tuna (Tokomaru), who is the possessor of a- very sweet,, and tuneful soprano voice, her cliqst and head notes being produced as sweet as a bird —a very rave treat this. Her brother, Air Henry. Tahiwi, of Otalci, gave a very fine rendering of some fine popular Maori songs, and as an encore sang “When, the great red dawn is shining.” Air J. Werita'at the piano was a host in himself, besides playing for the dances and rendering selections. on the mandolin, lie sang a beautiful duet with liis sister and showed that besides being musicians they were vocalists of a very high order. Aliss Anderson played a piano solo very daintily and was given an encore and a very fine reception. Air Anderson sang “Queen of the Earth” in a very, fine tenor voice, and was warmly received, and as an encore sang “Pals.” There was also a very fine string quartette wlrich played popular airs very acceptably. Air Mottershead sang and was , encored.

The gathering, which was a very cordial and pleasant one, was brought, to a close by many expressions of goodwill towards the guests 5f the evening.