OKATO

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8061, 17 March 1906, Page 2

OKATO

(t'HOJI Ol'H OW.V COKSKSPOXDENT.)

On Thursday, March Bth, a farewell le- sofial was tendered Mr and Mrs Raw, n S who are leaving for Auckland. By tie p.m a crowd such us has never p. been seen before at a farewell had assembled in the Hempton Hall. Every denomination, every household, in the I district was represented. Dancing was ] started almost punctually under the direction of Messrs L. Andrews and F. L. Gill, M's.C., and music was sup' ill plied by Captain Knight (piano), and e- Mr llookes (violin). Complimentary te music was rendered by Ducker's Orchestra, Miss Honan, Miss M. Daly, 0 . aud Mr N. Andrews. Between the lc dances songs were rendered by the s . following: Mr Kothery, uomic song, w "My Motker-in-Law's with the Angels K , uow, Jioo-ray " ; Mr Kae, three soilgs ; Mrs Metcalfe, three songs; aud Mr D. Fox. At 12 p.m. supper was haude. cd round. Directly after, Mr C. Au,h drews, Kev. Father Coguct, aud other h representative citizens assembled at ,o the top of the hall. Mr Andrews, in I sonic well chosen remarks, referred to the good (jiialities of Mr aud Mrs Haw , as citizens who had douc all they could, and who had spared neither their time, their work, uor their money iu cvery- - • thing that had pertained to the advanccmcut aud well-beiug of the place ' during their sojourn in the district. 10 He mentioned what Mr and Mrs liaw had douein training the young fellows of s the place, and bringing them out j aud ! 0 iu training them to take part in the i g concerts which Mr and Mrs Haw had ! if givcu to raise funds to clear the hall i- debt. He spoke of Mr Haw 's unusual ] s ability and energy as a business man, 1 v aud of the rare tact and consummate I skill he had always displayed. On < 1 behalf of the people he then presented 1

a littiulsouiu marble clock, appropriater ly inscribed, to Mi' and Mrs Kuw. lfev. r Father Cognet made felicitous reference . to Mr Haw, Kro. Boyce, 011 behalf of 1 the U.A.O.D. lodge, said: "Bro. Haw, 1 ou behalf of the members of the Okato Lodge, allow me to present you with this gold pendant, as a small token of our regard for yon, and appreciation of the great services you have rendered ' "*• May you live long to wear it, and when you look at it, remember that ; '°y|il ''and of brothers in Okato, who wili ever strive to be worthy of the motto you have left bekiud. Mr and ; Mrs Haw, fareircll. To-niglit, Okato is, and ever shall be. the better for your having lived in it."

lliree cheers wore then given tor Mr and Mrs l!;uv, Mr {Raw, in replying, suid: "f do not know whut I have done to deserve this. Speaking for my wife and myselt L way say we have made many fast; friends in Okalo, so mneli so, Hint we are loath to leave the |>laoo. Had climatic conditions heeu mom genial and more suited to Mrs Haw's health' and liad it not been for the fact that I wish to heller my position I could live happily among such kind friends." He thanked Mr Andrews, Father Cognet and the officers and the members of the [Lodge for the kindly words thev had spoken, and for the valuable tokens of esteem, which, he said, would .ever carry his and his wife's minds back to the happy days spent amongst tliem. I;

Dancing was resumed for a few [hours. At :! a.m. the people joined hands, forming a ring round Mr and All's Haw, aud sang " Auld ijaug Sj'uc,"