VALEDICTORY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3419, 25 February 1920, Page 5

VALEDICTORY.

A very pleasant little function eventuated on Monday evening at the residence of Tai‘hape”s popular stationmaster, Mr. H. Mercer. Some half-a-hundred citizens of both sexes foregathered for what. was supposed’ to be a surprise party at the Mercer home, but it was the surprise party that wasn’:t the ‘surprise party, ‘the supposedly surprised had learned something, and managed to turn the surprise upon the surprisers. When the party arrived they all felt as though they had been expected, and their surprise was complete whenethey were ushered into where they saw that full preparations were awaiting them. That little surprise that went wrong did not prevent a most enjoyable evening being spent. The real intention of the visit was to say a friendly farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Mercer before they leave for Rotorua, which place is to be their new home. After the first surprise had died down, Mrs. ,Peyton was discovered at the piano, i and all tacitly realised that was a par~ lrticularly good omen. Lovely music [floated through the house, then Mrs. Loughnan and Miss. Ald"ridg»e {contributed vocal gems. Joseph and Stanley kept their side up, and the laughter rang out merrily for a while, after which Miss Watkins, of Dannevirke, contributed a neatly ckecuted pianoforte selection. The progl'anllne prepared for Rio surprise party was a varied one, and next, Mrs. Mercer’s' large drawing room having been converted into a miniature ball—room, the devotees of that one of the nine Muses who presided over the choral song, and dancing, visibly enjoyed ‘themxselives. After partaking of a dainty supper, the company again repaired to the ballroom, wh.ere the usual valedictol'y numbers were never more heartily and felingly rendered. Mr. Mercer, in his usual genial way, sincerely thanked the surprise guests for the compliment paid to Mrs. Mercer and family, in coming along to wish them goodbye. He-sassured them of the great goodwill’ Ml's. Mercer and heywould always’ cherish of their stay in Taihape. The M.ayor.’(Mr. A. J. Joblin) heartily returned the compliment, and alluded to the very pleasant evening all had spent. He .gaVe expression to the deep regret not only of those present, but of all Mr. and Mrs. Morcer’s many friends in Taihape felt at losing the whole Mercer family. They had proved themselves to be excellent citizens and delightful friends, and they would carry away the good wishes of all who knew them. VVhat was Tiahape’s loss, howeyer, would be Roto'rua’s gain. The clock was pointing to the “wee sma’ hoor ayont the twal” as the company dispersed. The final item being a hearty and en'lthusiastic compliment to Mrs Stan. Peyton, who had contributed so much to the splelldid evening’s enjoyment.