Valedictory.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 246, 21 October 1904, Page 2

Valedictory.

FAKEWELL TO MRS COPLAND. GARDEN PARTY. The clouds of the, noontide only served to make the bright sunshine of the afternoon all the more appreciated by the l u rge number of people who attended the garden party at •• Overdale " on Thmsduy in honoui of, and as a public farewell to, Mrs A. J. Copland, who is. leaving New Plymouth shortly for England, iiut large as the gathering and sincere the expressions of regard and regret, it were but truth to say Unit th«y by no means gave adequate earnest even of the heartfelt and soulful good wishes and benedictions of the people amongst whom her good qualities were best known. The very circumstances wluch call for. the exercise of charity both in its broader and narrow sense—in a. manner precludes those most benefitted from tangible proof of the spirit of thankfulness which knows no gift worthy of its depth. To those who know nnd feel the sufferings of our deserving ipoor, who realise the helplessness of an honest man' to stem the current of adversity and misfortune, comes us a l'ay of comfort the thought that we have in our midst sbmo who sunk self in the endeavour to do good. But it is not in the province of a nowspaper report to enter into a Panegyric, and the sentiments of ull can be best expressed in tho statement that Mrs Copland truly fulnUed the ideal oi the jjoet when he wrote In •■' Tho Praise o/ Women " : 't A thousand make amends in ago and youtu, by heavenly pity, by sweot sympathy, by patient kindness, by enduring truth, by l o vo, supremest in adversity ; Thus is the task to succour tfie distressed, to feed the hungry to console the sad, to p o ur the balm upon the wounded breast, and find dear pity, even f o r the bad." It was> a happy thought which found action in, the function of yesterday, foi Ovienfalo," kindly placed at disposal by Mr Cock, i fl admirably carefully tasted garden, pJ(>t „ „<.,,. were filled with an asswiublage of adies oiid gentlemen, numbering between 300 400, who before and alter the praiicapal ceremoniv, strolled about the r li emlly intacourse, .and refreshing then selves with the dainty afternoon ','.* "• ru ' d °« Ihe lawn by the laless, who deares to thank all ft,, tht aadso wUlingly given. bed n iiont of the house, "where his the Mayor said that du-l "UK has ten,, mmy cuseß Jlad C01ii() under has notice worthy of their fol- 1 lowing the example set by Mrs Copland; a sentiment which, he might say, w a s thoroughly endorsed by tho late Mayor, Mr Dockrill. There was more distress in the town thou 1 his hearers could imagine, and tlveir guest had relieved that distress to u very large extent. Ho expressed the public opinion when regretting the departure of Mrs Copland, a ud assuring her of a hearty welcome if evei she returned to New Hymoutib. His Worship then called upon Mr F, T, llellringer, the tow*'clerk, to read tho address subscribed for by the general public. '

After this; had (been read, the band, stationed on the lawn, struck up the workl'si anthem as it has been called, " F o r Auld Lang Syne," i" the singing of which those present joined.

Mrs Copland then replied, stating that if ever she forgot the time spent in Now Plymouth, which sine was sure she could not do,—the address would serve to remind lier of her friends in New Plymouth). She hoped to see her friendß here again, but if not, sho hoped to meet them in a better Home bye-and-bye, At the call pf the: Mayor three hearty cheers were given for Mrs Copland.

The address took the form of a dark green Morocco portfolio, sil-ver-mounted with Mrs Copland's monogram, the initial jpage being beautifully Illuminated with that lady's favourite flowers, rata and clematis, arid was signed by the Mayor, councillors, town clerk, and 181 other persons. The text waa as follows:Now Plymouth, 20th October, 1904. Mrs A. Johns Copland, New Plymouth, New Zealand. Dear Madam,

It is with very deep regret that | the people of New Plymouth learn that you are about to leave for England. During your residence in Now Plymouth you havo invariably; been conspicuous in aiding every public enterprise undertaken lor the social good of tho community, and particularly in all charities your generosity awl wiso counsel havo been invaluable; while your rare gift of mipurtimg solace to, and cheering, those in trouble, and inspiring how ra the bre a st» of the disheartened, has brought happiness to many homes. Wo beg to assure you of our gratitude to you, to wisJi you the enjoyment of all blessings in tho future, and we venture to express a. hope that you may return ere long to tako up your permanent residence amongst us, where meanwhile your memory will bo held in high esteem. Wo remain,

Yours faithfully, etc. Mrs Cock is to bo congratulated on the success of thje afternoon, the enjoyablene*, of which, it is Iwper 1 "r,'h W n enllancud b * th « Paying of the Garrison Band, wh o tumid out under Bandmaster Gor<loil to- do honour to one who o„ so many occasions rendered them valuable assistance. Mr A. lT als 0 nunnT a W °^. of P'* iso <™ preparV'' Wh " Ch tte """*» "« AT ST. ANBREW~CHU«CH. St. Andrew's Hall was beautlfullv mth ladies and gentlemen assemZS ~ Sa y .'arowell to Mrs Copland Proceedings were opened with a borne. Afterwards a most enjoyable programme of musical iiema utations was gaven, .those conti'ibutmg beimg Miss Kohn, Miss g. ZL DmrmKl Mr J, Pau l, Mr Miss Campbell, Miss Nixon, Mrs Uaker, Mr Sinclair, Mr Gray, and Mr A. L. ! Cooke. The accompaniments were nicely played by Misses Cooko. The Rev. Osiborno, in n well chosen speech, then presented Mrs Copland on. bflhaM of her many friends and tho members of the Presbyterian Church with a 'beautifully inlaid box (made by Messrs S. Clark an d Co.), containing a dozen storling silver afternoon teaspoons, with greenstone handles. Mr H. M. Bauchope, Mrs Copland's nephew, also was tho recipient qf n handsomo travelling rug The gifts wero acknowledged by the recipients', who wero heartily choerod. Ml' MacDiannid and Mr W. N Ewing both spoke in feeling and eloquent terms of the services that Mrs Copland had rendered to tho church, and to tho town generally, and their remarks wore punctuated throughout with Hearty applause from those present. This done, an oxccllonl supper was then served, and full justice was done thereto by all present. The choir sn«g the fiavourko "God be With You," and Air Osborne pronounced the Benediction. It was not enough. All present united; in singing "Auld Lang Syno" and "She's a ,l o lly oo o d Fcllow."i Ringing cheers Da-ought to nn end cwio of the niosit; successful and enjoyable socials ever gfcen in Now Plymouth. We should mention that previous to tine social the Town Bnnoj played several airs In capital stylo outside tho hall.