COUNTRY NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 18818, 11 May 1920, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS

MANDEVILLE, On Friday evening a farewell social was tendered to Mr and Mrs Miller prior to their removal to take up their residence in Gore. The Public Hal! was well filled with friends from far and near. The function opened with dancing which, on account of the frosty air, was enthusiastically entered into throughout the evening by the majority of those present, while the older friends of Mr Miller spent a pleasant evening on the stage card playing and chatting. Mr H. W. C. Morrell presided, and at a suitable interval referred to the sterling qualities of the departing guests, making special reference to Mr Milleris success as a Border Leicester sheep breeder and emphasising his determination to make a success of everything he took in hand. He also referred to Mrs Miller’s unlimited kindness in all times of sickness and adversity, and conveyed the district’s heartiest good wishes for their future. Mr James Bruce spoke, principally, a neighbour, and stated that it was ever a pleasure to call on Mr and Mrs Miller, re ferring also to Mr Miller’s generosity whenever he (Mr Bruce) was collecting for patriotic and other funds. Mr J. H. McLeod said Mr and Mrs Miller’s departure was a decided loss to the district, but he was pleased that he had left as his successors two of his sons, in whom he was sure there was planted a deal of their father’s and mother’s excellent qualities. He was also delighted by the fact that the Miller Bros, intended to keep alive the famous Miller stud flock. Mr Syd Morrell spoke of the guests’ neighbourly qualities, referring in eulogistic terms to the members of their family. Mr Maurice. Roche endorsed what the previous speakers had said. The chairman at tills stage presented Mr Miller with an arm chair on behalf of his many friends. Mrs J. H. McLeod, in a very nicely worded address, presented Mrs Miller also with an arm chair and on behalf of the ladies thanked Mrs Miller for her many acts of kindness. Mr Miller returned thanks on behalf of his wife and himself, and said he was not entitled to all (he credit given him. Ha felt he had only done his duty. He had a lot of genuine neighbours and friends in the Mandeville district and was sorry to leave them, but as they were not going to live far away, nothing would give them more pleasure*than to have a frequent call from them at their new home. After the singing of “For they are jollygood fellows” suppar provided by the ladies of the district was handed round, and dancing was resumed, and continued until 1.30 a.m. . During the evening Miss Dorothy W ayte gave a song in her usual finished style. Messrs T. Green, John Knowles and R. Crombie provided violin music for the dance and Mesdames J. H. McLeod and A. E. Boult, Misses Stephens, Wayte, Dumbleton and Sheed were at the piano. Mrs and Mr Knowles capably attended to the supper arrangements and Mr Syd Horrell acted as m.c!