WHANGAMOMONA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8091, 23 April 1906, Page 3

WHANGAMOMONA.

[FBOSI OUR OWN COMiESPOXDIiXT. One of the most successful gatherings ever held in Whangamomo.ua came off on the 12th inst., to bid goodbye to Mr .1. H. Rice, who is leaving the district. The weather was very bail, and would have spoiled any other gathering, but people came on this occasion, notwithstanding the terrible weather and the bad roads. Air Rice has made himself very popular, and. will be much missed here. About a hundred people turned up at the ball, and the proceedings look the form of a social and dance. After simper, Mr Glceson, on behalf of Whaugemomona settlers, presented Mr Rice with a purse of sovereigns, and in doing so addressed the meeting to the following effect: "Ladies and Gentlemen,—The object of this meeting is to say goodbye to our guest, Mr Rice. You all know the good work Mr Rice has done amongst us. Whenever anything was to be done for the good of (he settlers in tho district, Mr Rice was always ready to do his very best for n>. It is with mingled feelings that we meet to-night—feelings of regret and pleasure. Regret because we lose a teacher who lias taught our children to be truthful and manly, and (rained theni to be good citizens. Of pleasure, because we know that our friend Mr Rice is going to a school which will allow him a higher salary, and we heartily wish him the very best success in his new sphere of usefulness. This little present shows in a small measure the kindly feelings wo bear to Mr Rice,"

Mr Kicc, m thanking Mr Gleeson and the gathering of his friends, staled that lie had iiccomc at! ached to Wlinngamoinoua, and that his greatest ainbilion was to take up n farm. If lie were able to do so, he hoped to secure one iu tins district. The people of Whangamoniona hail been very kind to him, and he could never forgot llicin. Jle !iad not been long in the district., and tlia number of people who had conic to see him off was certainly very gratifying, especially as the weather was so bad. Ho 'thanked them for their valuable prosce.;, ,ind wished them every blessing. Cheers were thru given fur Mr Kice, and " He's a Jolly Good Fellow " was hcnrliiy snip;. Mr Iliee 'i-s been appjiulod to the Bell 131o=k s ■hwl.