VALEDICTORY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 74, 18 September 1911, Page 3

VALEDICTORY.

C'APT. AND MRS. ARMSTRONG. (By our Tikorungi correspondent.) The Tikorangi Hall, prettily decorated for the occasion by the ladies of the district, was on Friday • afternoon the scene of a very pleasing little function, when almost every resident attended for the purpose of bidding: good-bye and making a presentation to Captain and i Mrs. Armstrong on their approaching de-J parture from this district, in which they have been honored residents since the days of early settlement. J n making the presentation, which took the form of a pair of handsome easy chairs, Mr. J. W. Foreman said that on occasions such as this one experienced mingled feelings of -pleasure and regret—pleasure at seeing so many present to do honor to a neighbor and a friend, and regret that their guests were leaving the district in which they had lived so long. Mr. 'Foreman was pleased to have the privilege of making the presentation, and he could' claim to have-kuown Gtptain Armstrong for a very long period, having first met him in 18G2 at Omata, and subsequently having served under him at 'Pikorangi. Mr. Foreman remarked that, it may not be out of place here to state' that out of the fifty-two men of No. 1 Company only five were residents here to-day, most of the others having passed { over into the dark valley <rf the Gi'eat Beyond. The troublous times of war be-1 ing ended, the settlers became, occupied I in the development of their land, and | he could bear testimony to Captain Armstrong's sterling qualities as a, good settler, ii .kind neighbor, and a iirm friend. Although Captain Armstrong neversought nor occupied a position on the local bodies, yet he had gone good work in other ways, and any subject or proposal brought forward to improve conditions generally or to provide innocent enjoyment was always heartily supported by Captain and Mrs. Armstrong. "I

now wish," .Mr. Foreman continued, "to refer to Captain Armstrong's work on behalf of the church, which lias beau anient and consistent. I'"or many years he acted as lay render and superintend-

ent of the Sunday School, and to Captain ' and Mrs. Armstrong is due in a very great measure the success attained in providing for and building the present new church at Tikorangi, and although some people may theorise and doubts may he expressed as to the great schemo of creation, yet this we do know, that it is distinctly hopeful to find men like Captain Armstrong who, free from desire of reward, will spend their time in teaching those Divine precepts of faith in our Creator which is, after all, the highest and greatest thing in this life." In concluding tin eloquent address, Sir. Foreman said that the chairs which he now asked Captain and Mrs. Armstrong tp accept were given as a, flight token of ' respect and esteem by the people of Tikorangi. and on their behalf he sincerely hoped that Captain and Mrs. Armstrong would enjoy the comfort derived from their use for many, many long years to come. (Applause.)

The Rev. C. 11. Harrison said he must take the opportunity of thanking Captain Armstrong for his devoted services as a lay reader for over thirty-one years. As they all knew, the ministers coujd not he in everyplace each Sunday, and to a very great extent the church was dependent on lay readers, and to men like Captain Armstrong the church was deeply indebted He desired to add his tribute and best wishes to those expressed by Mr. Foreman.

The Kev. Wills said lie was very pleased to be present, and desired to thank the committee for their kind invitation. He had the plensm'6 of first meeting Captain Armstrong some little time ago, and although they belonged to different churches, yet he felt that there were very many things which they held in common. In fact, in Captain Armstrong's company he forgot he was <i -Methodist par.son,.and he sincerely reechoed Mr'-Foreman'* desire that-the; time would come when the difl'erent denominations would he re-united. Mr. Wills paid a high tribute 'to Captain. Armstrong as a good settle]-, a true Christian, a patriot, and a man, and added his good wishes that Captain and Mrs. Armstrong would long enjoy the comfort of the 'beautiful gift of their Tikor.ingi friends. • • On rising to respond, Captain Armstrong, who was received with prolongedapplause, was visibly alfeeled He' felt; he said, that he had- not 'deserved all the kind things that be had just listened to, but on behalf of Mrs. Armstrong and himself he heartily thanked'all his old friends, and -his-young ones too. for the very handsome present which they had just given them, and he also expressed his great delight at seeing so many friends present that afternoon. He knew lie would be excused from making any more remarks, except to again thank them for their'kindness ,: to Mrs. Arm-, strong and himself; "': ' : - ■ , Afternoon tea was'then dispensed, and the time pleasuraMv Spent in renewing old acquaintances, when tile gathering dispersed after three hearty cheers for the Captain and Mrs,- Armstrong. : ; ; ' (