Valedictory.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 37, 13 February 1914, Page 5

Valedictory.

MR F. H. WILKIE HONORED j OPERATIC SOCIETY FUNCTION. Members’ of the Operatic Society gathered at the Parish Hall last night jlor the purpose of making a presentation to Mr F. H. Wilkie, lately secretary of the Society, who is under [transfer to Wanganui. The president, ;Mr W. R. Kirkwood, occupied the [chair. The presentation took the form [of an illuminated address and a cheque. (The address was executed by Mr T. .Corlett, and the soft colors were exjcellently blended. At the top was ■a stage scene, Hanked with theatrical 'impedimenta, and on the bottom a representation of [Mount Egmont. j Mr Kirkwood said members were [assembled to say farewell to Mr Wilkie. During his stay in Stratford he had made many friends and he had no [doubt that Mr Wilkie would make an [equal number of friends in his new home in Wanganui. The Operatic Society could not let Mr Wilkie depart

without expressing to him in some manner their feelings towards him. This was nothing to he surprised at, as during all the time he had been in Stratford Mr Wikie had always been to the fore in extending help to local societies. Very few entertainments of any kind had been given at which he had not appeared. As secretary and stage manager Mr Wilkie had been a host in himself and he (the speaker) was sure the Society would very much miss his services. Mr Wilkie had been elected, secretary in 1911, after the performance of “Trial hy Jury,” in which he took the part of the Judge; and he had appeared as Dick Deadeye in “Pinafore,” and as MajorGeneral Stanley in “The Pirates of Penzance.”

Mr Kirkwood then read the address, the text of which is as follows: Stratford, February 12th, 1914. To Frank Harding Wilkie, Esq.,

Dear Sir, —On behalf of the Stratford Amateur Operatic Society we wish to express, upon the occasion of your departure from Stratford, our sincere regret that the pleasant association between yourself aud the Society will necessarily be a thing of the past. The members of the Society keenly appreciate the fact that much of its success is directly the result of your indefatigable work in .its interests as performer, and, at times, stage manager. We cannot let the pleasant ties ind associations of the last few years ■ome to an end without expressing the Society’s sincere thanks to you for vonr great services, and its best wishes 'or your happiness and success in your future life and career.

Signed: W. P. Kirkwood, Thos. Cf. Grubb, W. 11. Robinson, X. F. Dunlop, 0 de W. Vaughan, das. J. East, H. W. Douglas, B. V. Kivcll, W. .Stanley Cato, A. R. Stanley. P. Skoglund, N. R. Templer, J. H. Thompson.

In conclusion. Mr Kirkwood said Mr Wilkie had made a great number of Viends outside the Society, whose best wishes would follow him to Wanganui. Mr Wilkie was greeted with ap* danse on rising to respond. Wherever ip might b->—Wanganui or elsewhere the handsome address would always mve a prominent place in his home, jlt was not long since the Society had -orae into existence, hut it had mad© a name for itself and this was due to the unity of the members. Ever since the inception of the Society the whole of the members had worked heartily for 'he welfare of the Society. He had ■ertaiidy done the work attaching to bis office, but the other officers had Q nually well carried out their various duties. And it was only by the whole d the officers working hard and workng together that the Society would prosper. It was generally supposed that musical people were cantankerous and quarrelsome, hut there had been nothing of that in connection with the Society. There had been slight differmces, but these had been sunk for the general good. He would he glad to hear of the continued success of the Society. Although he would not he on

band to take his little part in the next production he would still take the same merest in it. The Society had not, so far, produced many pieces, hut ho hoped that they would put on many more in years to come. Other socie-

ties claimed to lie perfect, or nearly [so. hut he was sure that no society could put on a hotter show than the Stratford Society. He expressed thanks to members for their very handsome gift. He had honestly tried to do his best; and he hoped that in {future members would sink any differlences for the purpose of ensuring a good performance. i Mr N. F. Dunlop said he had been [closely connected for -ten vears with Mr Wilkie in various forms of entertainment. He had met him first in iaihape, when the town was in a crude state ; and in anything in the amusement line he was generally at the head of affairs. He was at all concerts and

jhe gave his services ungrudgingly for [sport of all kinds. Without Dir Wil|kie the Society would not have been (the success it was. He (the speaker) ihad been a member ot the Society since its inception, and he could testify to tln> great amount of detail work Mr "Wilkie did as secretary in addition to heavy work as stage manager. Ho had shouldered the whole of the work iu connection with the latest production, which lie had pushed to a successful sissue. Mr Dunlop said he 'ins sure lie expressed the general jleeling when be said that all members Iliad great pleasure in working with j him. Miss Rapps, on behalf of the ladies of the Society, expressed regret at Dir Wilkie’s departure and wished him every happiness and prosperity in his new home. The gathering broke up with the singing of “For Ha’s a Tolly Good Fellow an J cheers for Dij- and Air# Wilkie.