DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 January 1921, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

URENUI. A FAREWELL SOCIAL. (From Our Own Correspondent). On Monday evening last there was held in the hall one of the most successful gatherings ever held in Urenui, the occasion being to say farewell to Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Pope, who are leaving to take up their residence in New Plymouth. The attendance was large and representative, visitors being present from Okau, Uruti, Pukearuhe, Wai-toi-toi, Okoke, Waitara, Midhirst, and New Plymouth. The M.C.’s, Messrs C. Rumball and G. Fuller, worked most assiduously to ensure the enjoyment of all present, and between the dances, songs were contributed by Mrs. and Mr. Mail junr., L. Des Forges, Pope, and Miss Zoe Sheard. Mr. Tait rendered a recitation, and Mr. and Miss Gaustad gave a selection on the piano and violin. Mr. Mail, junr., also played a most excellent imitation of the bagpipes on the violi.n. Mr. A. Thompson played several of the accompaniments very tastefully, and Mr. Taylor, of Waitara, successfully carried out the duties of pianist for the dancing portion of the programme. Mention should also be made of the manner in which C. Rumball and L. Rattenbury (members of the school committee) worked to make the gathering a success. During the evening, Mr. Herbert (chairman of the school committee) in making the presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Pope, said they had assembled that evening, not exactly to say good-bye, as their guests were only removing to New Plymouth, but to show their appreciation of Mr. and Mrs. Pope’s service*' during their long sojourn in Urenui, extending over a period of twenty years. ■ During that time a large number of children had received their education through Mr. Pope, and the many profici-j encies obtained by his pupils had donej credit to their teacher. Mr. Herbert also i alluded to the keen interest evinced by j Mr. Pope in objects for the welfare of i the district, and the trouble he had; taken in organising entertainments for' this purpose. His genial good-fellows* 1 -p had made him most popular, and his; leaving would almost seem like removing a landmark from Urenui. The speaker further paid a high tribute to the manner in which Mrs. Pope had assisted Mr. Pope, and regretted the fact that the Education Board (like many other local bodies), through insufficient funds, had not been able to provide as many conveniences at the residence as might be desired. Mr. Herbert then presented Mr. Pope, on behalf of himself and Mrs. Pope, with a handsome silver studded oak tray and a complete set of steel cutlery, and wished them every happiness in their new home.

Mr. Pope, in responding, said that on his arrival in Urenui over twenty years ago he had assisted at a send-off, and during that period there had been many others, but when it came to acknowledging the kind expressions of opinion of Mrs. Pope and himself, it seemed diffi-' cult to adequately express all he felt. He would like to thank them all for their splendid present. He said that apart from the ordinary routine of education he had endeavored to instill to the pupils under his charge that manners bore a most important part in their daily life, and he would like to ask any of the children present that evening to bear this in mind in regard to their behaviour to their future teacher and to always keep in view the motto of the school, “Onward and upright.” Mr. Pope contributed a most popular song. “There’s a Tavern in the Town,” in which the audience joined in the' chorus. At the conclusion of the dance, “Auld Lang Syne” was sung and brought a very successful evening to a close.