VALEDICTORY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2521, 27 June 1893, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

Dr Craig left Geraldine yesterday for Westland to take up his duties as Superintendent Surgeon of the Ross Hospital. On Friday evening last the doctor was entertained at the Geraldine Hotel at an oyster supper, when there was a large and representative gathering of his friends, and the head of the table was assigned to Mr R. H. Pearpoint. Mrs Reseigh distinguished herself with a very 'superior table—one of the best we have seen at any banquet held in the district—for which she won the praise of everyone present. After the good things had been attended to, the chairman rose and spoke with regret of the early departure of Dr and Mrs Craig from Geraldine, and referred with pleasure to the great amount of respect they had won for themselves in their short sojourn in the district. Without fear of contradiction, he could say that the doctor and his wife won a host of friends and no enemies. (Hear, hear.) This showed the character of the man, and also his disposition. He was confident that all would join with him in most heartily wishing Dr and Mrs Craig every success and happiness in their new home. Most of those present had met Dr Craig both professionally and socially, and he (Mr Pearpoint) was quite sure that the verdict wa.i, ," The doctor is a jolly good fellow and worthy of the position ha holds in his profession." (Hear, hear.) He had much pleasure in proposing the toast in honor of Dr and Mrs Craig. Mr J. E. Archibald could support the toast without th-» lea3t hesitation, because in losing Dr Craig he was losing a personal friend. He had got a great deal of pleasure from the doctor's company, and was very sorry he was leaving for the West Coast. Notwithstanding the advantages of his better appointment, he (Mr Archibald) would sooner see the doctor remain at Geraldine. (Applause.) Dr Craig was an enthusiastic chessplayer, and he (Mr Archibald) had enjoyed many a pleasant hour with him over a chessboard, and had had many a tough battle with him him over the Home Rule question. He hoped that," " though lost to sight," Dr Craig would '' still be " to memory dear," and that they would hear of him occasionally through the papers. The chairman read a letter of apology from Dr Fish, who had an appointment elsewhere, and could not be present. Mr N. Dimlop had very great pleasure in rising to support the toast. He apologised for the absence of Messrs J. Mundell and J. M. Twomey, and said he had known Dr Craig ever since that gentleman came to Geraldine, and the more he knew of him the more he liked him. (Hear, hear.) He felt the departure of the doctor very much, for the latter was one of those jovial fellows that chimed in with everything good, and it was a pleasure to meet him for the shake of the hand and to hear him say, " How do you do, old boy?" As far as Mrs Craig was concerned, there was not the slightest doubt but that she is a lady of whom any district might be proud— (Hear, hear) and by her separation from Geraldine there would be a vacant space that would be hard to fill

The t >ast of Dr and Mrs Craig was then drank vith musical honors. Mr H. F. Moss, representative for the N.Z. Pine Company, sang " A little Liberal or Conservative," and Mi? Fred t Fish sang " Home, Boys, Home." T)r Craig, who was reoaived with loud applause, felt very grateful for the Mad expressions that were made on his account that night, -and he congratulated himself that on exeeedingly short notice they had not only tendered him a dinner, but h'id brought together all the most important people of Geraldine. He was afj? lid that in going away he would never ag.-iin find such staunch friends as he had made at Geraldine, for it was impossible to produce a more homely set of people than inhabited this agricultural district. If he overreached the intellectual capacity required to make a gaide book of New Zealand he would describe Geraldine as a place celebrated for the hospitality and kindness of its people. It was with deep regret that he left his friends and the public generally, and he was thankful for the kind manner in which they had spoken of Mrs Craig. (Loud applause.) Mr 'Bearyoint again rose, and said hg had a most, phasing duty to perform. The friotids q? Dr and Mp Craig thought that if they gave the doctor a dinner they eould not jet Mrs Onig leave them without adding something for her as a parting souvenir. He them handed Dr Craig for Mra Craig a handsome silver teapot as a present with best wishes from her friends at Geraldine. The teapot was engraved. " A parting gjf b to Mrs Craig from her Geraldine friends, June 23, JBQ3." Dr Craig suitably responded fqr Mrs, Craig, and mentioned that whenever they took tea the inscription on the teapot would remind them of the many kind friends they had left at Geraldine.

Mr R. Allan, spng, " Tlje best of friends must part," Mrß. R. Macdonald, proposed the toast of " The learned professions, medical, legal, and ecclesiastical," coupled with the names of Drs Cayley and Craig, and Messrs F. W. Smith and Archibald. Mr Moss, flute solo, encored. Mr B. R. Macdonald, a song; Dr Craig, a song. Mr Winstone, toast of (t The farmem and pastoralists interest," coupled with the names of Messrs Skinner, R. Allan, and R. McKonzie. Mr Moss, flute solo ; Mr Allan, a song; and Mr Fred. Fish, a song. Mr A. E. Hawkins wished to do honor to the guest of the evening. He had span* m,a n y eujoyablq Vttfc IliO}

with the rod and fly, and personally he was very sorry to lose him, for Dr. Craig's pluck with the rod marked him out as one who would make a first-class fisherman.

Mr B. E. Macdonald, a song; Mr Hawkins, the toast of" The Press" ; Mr Dunlop, a recitation. Mr F. Worner would like to add a few words to what had been said. Recently an accident happened to one of his children, and he had been advised to send the child to Timaru. But he had faith in the skill of Dr Craig, and kept the child under his care, with the result that the latter was successfully treated, and was now quite well. He was very thankful to the doctor for ilils, aud wished him unbounded success in the future.

Dr Craig, the toast of " The Ladies,'' coupled with the names of Messrs Archibald and B. R. Macdonald. Mr Moss, a recitation and a flute solo. Mr Pearpoint. proposed the health of the " Host and Hostess," and spoke in praiseworthy terms of the " good spread " provided by them. Once more the healths of Dr and Mrs Craig were drunk, and after Mr Hawkins had proposed the health of the chairman, the proceedings closed with " Auld Lang Syne."