NORMANBY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81917, 28 January 1907, Page 2

NORMANBY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) About forty representative settlers of JN'ormauby and the. surrounding district were present at a smoke concert tendered to Mr M. S. McXicol, „ta(ionmastcr (whu lias been transferred to Tnihapo) in the Normanby Town Hall on Friday night, ,\h- It. 1'". c.'arkson, li.A., presided. An apology was made lor the absence of Air 11. \i. Stewart owing to indisposition. In proposing the toast of the guest, the chairman, in a eulogistic speech, spoke of Mr McNicol's public-spirited conduct as a townsman, and bis eilieiencv and courtesy as a public servant, .lie then asked .Mr McNicol's acceptance of a handsomely iLlu.ininn.ied address, tdie text of which was as follows: VTo Matfihew S. McNicolJ—We. tin' undersigned residents of Noriuanby and .surrounding districts, wishing to convey to you our sincere regret at your departure from Noriiianby, although at the same time wc beg to voice our congratulations on your promotion, take tliis opportunity'of thanking you for all your many'kindnesses and courtesies in the past. We also beg you to receive our heartiest appreciation of the way in which you have aided all local institutions. Wishing' yourself and lira McMcol all prosperity in the future.'' Tlie address, which was tlic work of Mr J. Hooker, New Plymouth, was signed by It. P. Clarkson, It.A., chairman, and A. li. Stewart, secretary, a|iiil 41 leading resideifls. Mr McXieol was further asked to accept ii presentation of a handsome silver afternoon tea service and trav inscribed. "I'resented to Mr and Mi's M. S. McNicol by Normanby friends. Villi tlaiiunhiy, I<M».!' Messrs Kirkby, White, Andrews, Canning and others bore testimony | 0 the

community's regard for Mr MeXioul, and their regret «t Ips departure. The recipient responded in a neat and appropriate speech, thanking the donor, for the handsome presents, and remarking that he thought it was more iliau ho deserved. A long list „f toasts was 'dealt with, and a varied programme of soul's and musical items rendered, a very enjoyable function concluding shortly after It) o'clock. i\lr and Jlrs JlcXieol received a hearty send-olf by the mail train on .Saturday morning.