VALEDICTORY AND PRESENTATION AT UTIKU.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 September 1919, Page 4

VALEDICTORY AND PRESENTATION AT UTIKU.

(From our Ohutu COl-respondent.)-A

The Public Hall. Utiku, was on Fri--

{day evening, the scene oi: a large igathering of residents of Utiku, Ohutu, and surrounding districts, who met. to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs E. G. Hawkes, who, having disposed of their gbusincss, are leaving after seventeen zycars’ residence in Utiku.~ Mr _T. A.. Randolph presided, and :1 first ela's’s‘ eon-» cert programxne was submitted, all -the “item's being .of (3. high order, and would have done eredit_te any concertMrs Lewis and Mr D. Jackson opened the programme with a piano and Violin overture, and songs were given by Misses Stevens, Hebberd '.‘(-2), \Meb—~ dames A. Gibbs, T. A, Randolph, Arthur, and McGrail, Messrs J. Allen, James, }T‘honlasen, P.. G. Lewis, J).

Jackson, W. Prime, and R. Logan, and

vi=oli‘n solos by Mr Grifi’iths. All these items met with the hearty approval ofvthc audience, encores being the order of the evening. The accompaniments Awerc played by Mesdames. Lewis, W. I}.-’ri'nle, Allen, and Miss Car—ter. A mysterious parcel caused a great deal of fun.

The concert being over, Mr Randolph then addressed the gathering, saying that the occasion was a sad, yet happy, one; sad inasmuch as it meant the parting of old friends, happy as it meant that Mr and ‘Mrs :H‘awkes were about to enter a well-earned rest-——the fruits of their labour. Mr Randolph then paid a tributeto their guests, saying that Mr and.‘ Mrs Hawkes had endeared "themselves to all by ‘their obliging manner, never-failing kindness, generosity, and faithful friendship, and he was sure that these good qualities would secure for them friends wherever they went, and that if. they everareturned to 'Utiku they would be sure of a warm welcome. (Loud applause.)

5 Mr Goldsbury endorsed the Chair- ‘ man’s remarks, and on behalf of Ohutu: friends expressed appreciation of Mr and Mrs Hawkc’s «obliging manner ._ofl conlductingr-t,eheir business, of V%‘t‘ll=eitr,_. many kindnesses, and for their never-_— "failing. generosity inreg-ar'd to Ohutu. ‘ school picnics. Mr Groldsbury concluded ‘bywvishing the departing gfiésts many happy years in which to enjoy. a well-.. earned rest. (Applause) ' a Mr P. G. Lewis, «as headrnraster of theUtiku school, spoke of the great in terest that both the guests had taken. in the scho,ol"s welfare, and said that it. ‘ was during Mr Ha.Wke’s~ term as chair» man of the School Committee that the improvements to the school grounds had_. been started, and the present fine apjpearance of the grounds was largely ‘due to Mr Hawke’s generosity. _Mr‘Lewis also spoke appreciably of Mrs Hawkes’ valuable assistance in helping; with the school picnics and other functions, and he,-too, concluded by wishing them every success in the future(Applause) : l\lr G. J. Allen Voiced the feelings of" regard in which Mr and Mrs Hawkes were held_ by the ‘Taoroa settlers, saying that they (the settlers) realised’. what good friends they were losing. Mr.Allen said that nothing was too niucll'trouble for Mr and Mrs Hawkes, and? the back road settlers received nothing‘ but kindness from the guests. b'_On behalf of the settlers, he wished Mr and Mrs Hawke’s the best of health and prosperity, (Applause.) A‘ :_ Mr Randulph then presented Mrs’ Hawkes with ‘a handsomely fitted dressing case, and Mr Hawkes with a travelfling case and rug. As Mr and Mrsillawkcs ‘came forward to receive the ‘ gifts, the audience rose and sang, “For They are. Jolly Good Fellows,” follow--ed by three hearty 7cheers that left nodoubt as to the sincerity of the ‘good wishes of those present, and it was not to be wondered at that Mr Hawkcs" emotion was too deeply stirred to allow him to reply. so that Mr Randolph briefly thanked the people on Mr and Mrs Hawke’g behalf. The fittings of the dressing case were of sterling silver, and on the lid of the case was a silver plate inseribegl: “To E. G. Hawl kes, from residents of Utiku and district.”

Supper was then partakén of, and there is no need for “Your Own” ‘to praise the supper, as the ladies‘ of Ukitu and district have an excellent reputafion as experts in the culinary arts‘, and on Friday night they fully maintained fixis reputation. Dancing‘ was then indulged in to first-class music supplied by Mesdames Lew.is,. Arthur. McGrail, and Allen. 4a}ld Messrs Gritfifhs and T. Potaka. Messrs R. J. Gibbs and P. G. Lewis made efllcieut M.’sC._. and trippers of the light fan‘rastic had an enjoyable time.‘ Anrong those present were Ml‘ and Mrs Arthur, successors of Mr end Mrs Hawkes. and Mr Lewis briefly welcomed tliem to Utiku. ¢?xl;n'cssing thehope fhat they would lmve :1 prosperous: and happy stay in Utiku. x l Mrs Arthur is a (lecidnd acquisitljovr -fo the musical talent 0? Utiku. as ratsprovod on l3‘l'iday niglxf. her itmns reveiling her as :1 nlusiei:>.n [of high ability. V - - ' Mr and Mrs IH}: wkes .ini-enrl snpentling a few weeks with {’riend‘.s;. in the district. but when they finally leave they will qzzarry wifh them »the“ll)ost’ wishes-

of a host of Vfriends. The <;o=mmittec responsible for Friday nigh‘t’s function are to be congratillated'.on the success of the gathering.