Waiorongomai.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4504, 16 December 1909, Page 2

Waiorongomai.

FAREWELL TO MR & MRS BRUNTON. (Own Correspondent ) What proved to be tbo most successful social gathering held here for some time took place in the Waiorongom.ii Hotel on Thursday last, when a large number of friends and acquaintances gathered together to do honour to Mr and Mrs Bi unton, who are about to leave the district. having disposed of their business to Mr Printer, of Matata. The commercial room which was used for the occasion was tastefully decorated with evergreens, and here and there were intermingled various photo groups of the Football Clubs and Cricket Clubs to which Mr Brunton bad been attached since his residence hero. There were fully 80 guests present; the evening being spent in songs and speeches. Mr R. GlynnLewis was voted to the chair and iu proposing the “ Health of our Guests.” spoke in high terms of Mr Biuutou’s ability as a sportsman,'and great y regretted bis departure from the district. Mr D. Borrie, in proposing the toast of the Waiorongomai Football Club sympathised with the members in being so unfortuuate as to loose the services of so strong a worker and supporter as Mr Brunton. He bad fought hard for football in Waiorongomai, both at Rugby meetings and otherwise, and had done much to keep the club together, sparing neither time nor expense in his efforts to meet the engagements. Although fortune had been against them they were dryers and sports, and their Captain (Biunton) had a big heart. He took with him the good wishes of the Waihou Club and Piako Union.

Captain Brunton, in q, lie it speech, in replying to the toast of the Waiorcngomai Football Club, expressed sorrow at his departure. He had always done bis best in the interest of football circles aud sports generally bore. Had it not been for the grit and determination which his Club follows showed in their efforts against their opponents, the record would not have been half so bright at the end of tLe se ison, as it now is.

The following presents were then presented by Mr L. Beeson : —Mr and Mrs Brunton, handsome marble clock ; Mr Brunton, senr., set silver mounted pipes; Miss Avis Brunton, gold brooch with “Avis” jnset with pearls; Miss L. Cairriey, * silver-mounted toilet hairbrush and comb. Sir Beeson iu making the presentation said Although he had only had the acquaintance of Mr and Mrs Brunton and party for a short time, it seemed irup)} longer. He regretted losing friends of Mr Bruuton’s stamp, as they were not to be f mud every day. He trusted that success would still follow them in their future movements.

In presenting to Mr and Mrs Brunton the handsome clock, he trusted that as the “ hands of time rolled rouLd the dial ” they would serve to remind them of the many “ good old dials ” ho had iejlt behind that evening, and also of the many liappy days he had spent amongst his friends at Waiorongomai. To Mr Brunton, senr., was handed the “ pipe of peace,” which he trusted he would loug bo spqrccf to enjoy, Mr Brunton in reply thanked them all present for their kind remarks and valuable pieseuts, which ho could assure them would be faithfully cherished. He had only done his duty, and he would long remember the many happy days he had spent at Waiorongomai. The meeting then closed with “ For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow ” and “ Auld Lang Syne,” all returning home about 10 p.tn. Too much cannot be said of Messrs Hawkins and Donovan for the magnificent manner in which everything went off, their effb.ts alone beiug instrumental jn bringing the function to so successful aii issue.'