Valedictory.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43096, 23 May 1907, Page 2

Valedictory.

COMPLIMENTARY SMOKE CONCERT.

There was a large attendance of settlers at the public Hall on Monday to bid farewell to Mr G. <?arrett, late Government Valuer of the Pi»ko County. . The chair was taken by Mr T. Gavin, the popular chairman of. the Piako County Council, who apologised for the absence of a number of settlers. . The first toast of the evening Was “ The KiDg,” which was loyally drunk, after which a song was g lven by Johnson, “ The dear little Shamrock. The Chairman, in proposing the toast the guest of the evening, (Mr G. Garrett), said the only thing he regretted was that he would be unable to properly express his feelings. He had had ■ dealings with Mr Garrett for a number of years, and was always glad to meet him as a Valuer or friend. Since Mr Garrett had been Valuer in these parts there had been peace, and you could count the objectors who went into Court on the fingers of your hands. When it became known that Mr Garrett was leaving the district, the settlers had written to him (Mr Gavin) suggesting that the Piako County Council should take the matter, of a presentation uu, as expressing their appreciation of ] the services rendered by Mr Garrett to the community, and the Council unanimously agreed to take the matter in hand. They would be pleased to haye him reside among them permanently, and he did Dot know of anyone who had a bad word to say against him as District Valuer. He was always courteous to objectors, and was always willing to talk the matter over with them to overcome their objections. In asking them to drink Mr Garrett’s health he, had great pleasure in presenting him with a bag of sovereigns. Though the lists were not all m yet there sixtyfive sovereigns in the bag, and he regretted it was not 1065. (Applause). . W, H. Herries, Esq., M.H.R., who had come down from Rotorua to be * present, said he had known Mr Garrett for twelve years, both as settler and valuer. He deeply regretted that in our Civil Service we were constantly losing our good men, and we should try to retain men like Mr Garrett, who had endeared himself to everyone in the district, If we had more men like Mr j Garrett, the doings of the Valuation De- • partwent would not be in. everyone 8 mouth as now. He always did his work in such a nice way that you always got the idea that he was right and you were in the wrong. (Laughter) We do not want any friction between, the Depart* ment and the people, and when the De- a partment had a man like Mr Garrett, - we ought to do our best to keep him there, and not let tbe question of salary interfere. He was only too glad to be there to do honour to Mr Garrett as a friend and valuer, and wished him every success in his new venture.. (Applause.) Mr Andrew Farmer said when Mr Garrett came into the district it was in a very rough state. The prosperity of the district at the present time was to a great extent due to Mr Garrett, who by judicious valuing had not smothered the settlers who were making a big up hill struggle, He was very pleased to b 3 there that night to wish Mr Garrett success in his new line of business. (Applause.) Mr Patrick O’Meagher was very pleased to be there that evening and hear the many expressions of appreciation from tlie Chairman and Mr Herries. He had know Mr Garrett for a number of years and bad always found him a good '

The toast “Mr Garrett., health and prosperity,” was heartily given, all joining in with “For he s a jolly g°e fellow.” Dr. Kenny favoured the company with a song “When Johnny comes marching home again.” Mr Garrett, on rising to respond, was greeted with prolonged applause. He said he could not find words to thank them for their kind expressions that night, and,their handsome present. H.e claimed that he had not done more than any other man would do. It that he had every sympathy . tor tne settlers and had always done his best to meet them in their objoctions, and was always willing to talk the matter out. If the Depar+ment always tried to meet the settlers in a reasonable way, tne people would always be willing to meet them half way. (Hear, hear) Ih regard to his new venture, he was pleased to inform them that he was fully satisfied with his prospects, and if any.of t e had need to consult him he would do MB best to advise them. He said bis successor (Mr Coutts) was there that night, and he asked them to give Mr Ccutts the same hearing as had been accorded o him. Their praise and presentation was, he said, far beyond bis merits. It ha always been a great pleasure to see the settlers making headway, and he tned assist them in every way he could. (Applause), , a . Councillor McCaw proposed the tO»c of the “Parliament of New Zealand, coupled with the name of W- H. H®* l '® B ’ Esq. M.H.R. He spoke briefly of the good the New Zealand Parlia ent wa doing, and of the work of their representative at the Imperial Conference- . Mr Mclndoe gave a masterly rendering of “ Off to Philadelphia in the Morning Mr Herries, in reply, said it w® B very refreshing to hear that someone appreciated Parliament, Judging by the remarks of the peeple in the. street yon would think it was a noxious weed. (Laughter). The only people who really appr ciated Parliament were people like Mr Gilchrist, as they made such Acts as only lawyers could interpret. (Laughter). • Mr Sheen gave a very interesting step dance.

Mr Grimston, Manager of the Paeroa branch of the Bank of New Zealand, referred to the great assistance Mr Garrett had given him, and be had come from Paeroa to publicly announce his indebtedness to Mr Garrett. He proposed the toast of the “ Local Bodies.” Mr Rooney caused "much amusement with his comic song, “ Such an absent mind.” Cr. McGloin, in responding, said as far as his experience went, the Piako County Council was the hardest in the colony to administrate Cr. McCaw referred, to the great drawback as to the want of suitable metal.

Messrs Mclndoe and u’Meagher (excouncillors) spoke on behalf of the Borough Council, which was not represented. Mr James Shaw, ex-Mayor of Coolgardie and Adelaide, proposed the toast of the “ Local Industries.” "We understand Mr Shaw intends contesting one of' the electorates at the next general election He thanked the Council for their invitation to be present, and for the opportunity of saying good bye to Mr Garrett, who had evidently been a good servant to both the Government and the people. Though he was ofteD in .Australia, he had made consecutive visits to Te Aroha for the last twenty-three years. He considered the town and district had been greatly neglected by Pat*

liament in the past. Nexit time he came here he hoped to see a traffic bridge across the river. After referring to the changing of the electoral district, he congratulated them in having such a man as.Mr Herries to work for them. (Applause). The time had come when something must be done to obtain the freehold for the town of Te Aroha. (Hear, hear). The Waihi railway, stopping where it did outside the town, was a disgrace to any government. In regard to the mining industry, he said he thought the mining of these ranges near to the town of Te Aroha would surprise a great many people. (Applause). Mr Burton gave a humourous reading by Mark Twain, entitled, “ Amelia’s yo7ing man.” Mr Mclndoe replied on behalf of the local industries. He claimed the industries had been greatly hampered by local jealousies. The butter factory should have been in Te Aroha instead of Waihou.

The Tourist Department were taking a fair amount of interest in this town of late years, though the Exhibition bad affected the tourist traffic a great deal this year. Te Aroha is in ft great degree indebted to Mr Garrett for the prosperity at the present time. In regard to the Government Advances, he said Mr Garrett had always tried to do a fair thing by the settlers. He hoped to see Mr Herries a Minister of the Crown one of these days. If j any man could do the district justice it was Mr Herries. (Ap plause). Should v.r Shaw be returned he had no doubt that Te Aroha would be benefited. He was sure Mr Coutts, Mr Garrett’s successor, would do bis best to carry on the work.

Mr A. S. McKay then .Sang a humourous song, entitled “ Hullo.” Mr David Wallace proposed the toast the “Farming Industry.” coupled with the name of Mr B. Montague, who briefly responded. Songs were given by Mr Goodwin (“ Bolling Home ”). Mr C. L Bygrave (“ The Lad in the Scotch Brigade.”) Dr Kenny proposed a growing industry in Te Aroha, namely “ Gum Digging.” coupled with the name @f Mr A. 8. Maekay, who briefly replied. Mr Herries, in a humourous speech in which he got in a number of si y hits, proposed “ The Press,” coupled with the names of Messrs Spooner (“ Mail,”) and Steele (“Te Aroha News,”) who briefly replied.

The toast of “The Ladies” was coupled with tho name of Mr Garrett, Jun., who in a neat speech thanked them all for the kind expressions used in regard to his father. The toast “Mr Garrett’s successor,” was ably responded to by Mr Coutts. Mr Garrett proposed the toast of “ Mr Gavin, County Chairman,” and referred to the good work he was doing for the County. Mr Gavin, in reply, said that if he had done any good for the settlers while on local bodies, he was very pleased. They sent men to Parliament to make laws, and someone had to carry them out. It was not the best of jobs to carry out satisfactorily, but they all did their best, and he had a good Council associated with him. The proceedings terminated shortly bpfore midnight with the singing;of “ Auld Lang Syne,” and cheers for Mr Garrett. The accompaniments were played by Mr Wharton Thompson in a manner that added greatly to the success of the evening.