WAITARA NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 111, 26 September 1912, Page 7

WAITARA NEWS.

VALEDICTORY. (From our own correspondent.) The high cslcem in which Mr. S. E. Eggleston is held by the people of Waitava was ii' leonstratcd on Monday evening liv (lie large gathering which mot him to say farewell. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and in a few introductory remarks said that representatives of the various clubs with which their guest had identified himselt desired to c.\press their appreciation of his services, and he asked them to do

On behalf of the Clifton Football Club, Mr. Buchanan expressed pleasure at the fact that removal to Melbourne meant promotion, but regret at the loss of a sterling sport. Their guest played die game for its own sake, and played it manfully. His sportsmanship was shown the previous season when the selectors deemed him not good enough for the senior team, lor which he had played for some seasons, and placed him in the juniors. The player did not "squeal," I but played with the same heart as if he were still among the seniors, showing clearly that he was a sport and not suffering from "swelled head." Tt would be remembered that it was through Mr. Eggleston's score that Clifton defeated Stratford and so won the northern premiership. His fellow members would miss him greatly, but wished him the verv best of good luck in his new home. Mr. L li. (irimstnne (Golf Club) said members of the Club would he exceedingly sorry to lose Mr. Eggleston, but were pleased at his promotion. As a golfer he had been of great assistance to the club, for he could play the game, and it was not everyone that could do so. Tlieir guest was a good all-round sport, and there were very few games he could not play and play well. He felt sure that in his future home Mr. Eggleston would maintain the high standard, he had set himself on behalf ot the club. He wished him God-speed. Speaking on behalf of the Tennis Club,' Mr. Vaughan said the departure of Mr. Eggleston would be a decided loss. It was always a pleasure to play with Mr. Eggleston. for his whole heart and soul were in the game, whether it was foothall, tennis, cricket or any other sport. He had received many a good dressing-, down by the genial "Jimmy." arid with the clul) members he -wished hiiji Codspeed and good luck. i , Mr. Dowsett (Cricket Club) voiced regret at the loss of one of Taranaki's best cricketers. ■' Cricket was a game that required nerve to play, as each inI dividual'bafthriaii'had eleven men to fight. ' against, whilst in most other games the. opposition'was' rhuch less. The 'departing guest always, played the game, never "point'ed," "slipped up" a pal, "covered" behind anyone, nor "stumped" for anything, TMie , cl'ul>. in -particular, and cricket in general. 1 were losing' the ser-< vices of a cViekctcr ( nnd a, mail, 'find he wished him God-,s'peecL ' , " On behalf of the Hockey Club, Mr. ■Ralph w.isherl the guest good luck, as also did Mr. R. Tate, for the Waitara.Trowing Club, 'and Mr. Smith, for the Musical Society.;-; >!.,;•) i.

The chairman, on behalf of his numerous friends, said'that lie was 'only voicing general-opinion' when he stated that Mr. Eggleston's'departure would be keenly felt. •'" His friends could 'not allow him' to depart without showing their appreciation, and asked his acceptance of a solid gold chain and sovereign purse. Ho asked' tree company to drink the health of Mr. Eggleston, which was done with musical honors.

Tn replying, Mr. Eggleston said that lie had spenCa very happy four years in Waitnra. where he had made many good friends, whose kindness he would not, forget. Ho expressed his deep-felt thanks to the members of the clubs with which I, he'had been'associated for their kindness. He played all his games for the love of sport. He was sorry to leave Waitara. but promotion came, and it was only right to himself that he should accept it. He keenlv appreciated the gathering.-that night ..alsothe token of goodwill, so tangibly expressed, and he would never forget his happy days in Waitara.. ■ ! - ■■''.'

Other speakers who spoke appreciatively of Mr. Eggleston were Captain Thompson. Mr. Dewar (a fellow lodger), Mr. W. T. .Toll, and Mr. W. Hogg (of Messrs Borth wick's office).

The toast of "The Freezing Works" was proposed by Captain Thompson, who referred to the works as the mainstay of Waitara and the district.

hi replying on behalf of the firm, Mr. G. 11. ('roll said he felt sure the works would continue to prosper. The firm were out to do the host for the district and themselves. They were here to stay, and their policy was to give the farmer and grazier the ,bo>t'results possible. Bcferriiig, to facilities for shipping, lie felt that the Board were doing their utmost to keep abreast of the times, but they must not rest on their oars, but continue to go on improving, for if this were done it would greatly facilitate the work of loading. So long as the Board were prepared to improve matters. Messrs Borthwick would assist them in every way. and he did not think there would be any necessity for uneasiness on the score of the shipping being removed elsewhere. The llrm of Borthwick and Sons were building up a works in Waitara which would soott. he hoped, he second to none in the Dominion, and he trusted the Board would extend their meed of encouragement.

In responding to the toast of "Hip WoHiip the flavor." the chairman said In; felt the honor of the position. During his occupancy of the mayoral chair lie had endeavored to bring the town along and leave the old groove of stagnation. The ratepayers had lost, a golden opportunity in not acquiring the electric light when (lie purchase could have been made cheaply, but this was no fault of <ihe Council. They had given the ratepayer.- the opportunity, and they had said "No"' by a majority of three voles, and lost a'good asset. Another proposal, and one very badly needed, was hat of sanitation, which had also been lost. Some people seemed to delight iu having their tilth buried in the backyard, instead of getting it cleared right awaw ami he t'eli <fnil c sure that some dav'lhe smell would "1 i-.o up in judgment ami in st them." The one big matter carried ihrough ivj- the water scheme, ami there could be no sensible argument used against it. but still the cry could he heard from some quarters that it was not necessary, and that it increased the rates. Some people seemed to forget (],;,! ...Mincillnr-. bad to pay rales in precise! I .' the -;iiiii' mammr as other ratepayers. There was al-o thai, much-need-ed construction, the bridge. Although tlie obi structure had been condemned over five year- ago. one could hear thai; ; i new bridge was not required. It. ap-

pcuvcd io tin' speaker that in i-i'rta'm ,|iii",-!.'r- o"o:d- I lii''i':!i ( no advaiireiiienC of thr l.'.wii .-lidiilil be made. 1.111. (lie advancement wouhl ciinic 'in spile of tbein. So fiir a-; (lie 'harbor was eonorrncil. (lie public coiil,! rest a-surcil Mint (.he pvesenl .'liuavd. of wliicli lie \Yns,diairman. would use tlicir best. efforts Io in every way facililale Hie work of harbor improvement. -Mtlionirh through an abnormal season lust year there were some; .iiniiclilii;,;;-. it was no fault of Clio 'Hoard. V'nnt of i-ooin was (lie trouble, but tliis would not recur, as ample additional

buildings were, being creeled to meet I all exigencies. I The toast of "The Ladies" was pro- , posed by Mr. C. 11. Tate and responded to by Messrs Hawkins and Sinale. During the evening Messrs Smith and Johns contributed songs and Mr. .Toll a recitation. The singing of ''Auld Lang Syne" brought one of the best farewell gatherin Wailara for many years to a close. Some personal friends afterwards entertained Mr. Egglestou at supper in Mr. Allen's tea rooms.