VALEDICTORY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3621, 6 November 1920, Page 5

VALEDICTORY.

SEND-OFF TO MR G. W. WRIGfITSON. ■ There was a large and representative gtfkeriiTg in the Town Hall Supper Eoom last night. when Mr G. W. Wrightson, who is leaving the district, was the guest at a smoke concert. His Worship the Mayor, Mr A. J. Joblin, presided. Apologies for absence were read from Messrs W. R, Emerson, A. Gifford, D. McLennan and J. F. Thurston, r '*n

After the toast of the King had been honoured, the chairman proposed the toast of Our Guest. He regretted not having come to Taihape earlier, as he felt that, he could then have done more justice to the toast of one of the most honourable and worthy citizens of the town. They could not let Mr Wrightson take his departure from Taihape without showing some appreciation of hf§ "services to the town. What their guest had done -was spontaneous and done with the best of motives. He had' known Mr

Wrightson for eight years, and during 4hat time he had done excellent work on the Borough Council. He particu-

larly remembered his excellent work as chairman of the Works Committee, and also as chairman of the Electric Light and Water Committee and of the Finance Committee. He had carried the onus of worlf of a very trying nature, and had always done the best on these occasions for those he was representing. Though at times they had differed, he had always felt that Mr Wrightson was doing his best from the best of motives.- When they came to local bodies, they found Mr Wrightson at the top .of everything,

and they could all appreciate -what he bad done in his connection with the Bowling Club and the Eugby Union. Wherever he was, he had always done his best, and in the- good work which had been done he %sscoiated Mrs Wrightson, who had always ; helped every pause which it was possible for her to assist. He was afraid that these farewells were becoming too-fre-quent, as they were losing some of

their best citizens. On behalf of the citizens of Taihap'e, he had much

pleasure in presenting to Mr and Mrs Wrightson a tea and coffee service, which he asked them to accept as a mark of appreciation of their services. In responding, Mr Wrightson thanked them for their expression of goodwill towards Mrs Wrightson and him-

self . In such a position, it was difficult for him to find words to express ' what he felt. He was about to depart from Taihape where he had spent what he considered to be the best years of his life: where he had met

friends whom he was proud to know

In Taihap.e. they had some of the best gentlemen In all walks of life', and it had been Ms pleasure and privilege to y foe associated with them. As far as

his ability had allowed, ho had endeavoured to do his duty in every

position which "he had filled, and any

thing he had done had never been for self-gain, but for the community as a whole. He bad, during the term of his residence been associated with most of the sports. bodies, arid had only done what he considered, to foe his duty. If what he had done had been any gain to the community, he

was well repaid for what he had done. He could not express what he felt in ' such circumstances, but- he could assure them that no presentation was

needed to remind him. of his stay In theiT midst, as the memories of his connection with Taihape would remain with him as long as ever he lived. He hoped that if he came back he would have the pleasure of seeing all the old faces again. On behalf of Mrs Wrightson an<j himself, he thanked them most sincerely for the honour they had done them that evening. Other toasts honoured were: Chamber of Commerce, proposed by. Mr A. James and responded to by Mr J. E. Cunninghame; The Army and Navy, proposed by Mr R. A. Bavies and responded to by Mr Gardner; Sports Bodies, proposed by Mr P. E., Wakeman and responded to by Mr F. Marlow; Local Bodies, proposed by Mr B. Lenihan and responded to by Mr J. P. Aldridge; The Ladies, proposed by Rev. W. P. Stent and responded to by Mr W. J Munro; The Press, proposed by Mr W. H. Fookes and responded to by Mr E. Lenihan; and the Chairman, proposed by Mr G. Carpenter. During the evening songs and recitations were contributed as follows: Song, "I Passed by Your Window/' Mr A. James; recitation, "Jim Blud-' so," 'Mr J, S. Carroll; "Recruiting Song." Mr P. E. Wakeman; song, "Ifm Still a Friend to You/' Mr J. P. Aldrifige; song, Mr F. Dakin; recitation, "Fighting Mae," Mr Slyfleld; monologue, L. B. H. de Lautour; song, "Marjory," Mr A. James; Tecitation, •'Tommy and Mary,*/ Mr Slyfleld; song, "Hush-a-Bye," Mr G. W. Wrightson; eong, "Rose of Tralee," Mr W. Jeffries; song and chorus, "A Little More Cider/* Mr T. Shute; song, "Mrs 'Enery 'Awkins," Mr F. Dakin; selected stories, Mr Slyfleld; recitation, "Rosa/? Mr 0. O'Sullivan..

The proceedings, which were marked j by great enthusiasm throughout, were terminated by the singing of "Auta Lang Syne." j