SOCIAL TO MR BLYTH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2660, 17 May 1894, Page 2

SOCIAL TO MR BLYTH.

Mr James Blyth, chairman of the Temuka Town Board, and one of the directors of the Caledonian Society, was entertained by the society at a social in the Volunteer Hall on last Tuesday evening. Mr Blyth is going for a trip to the Old Country, and the social was given to him as a " send-off." The night was very fine, and the hall was overcrowded. Music was supplied by Messrs Levens and Colville, Mr Jenkins acted as M.C., and the catering was carried out by Mr J. McCaskill in a highly satisfactory manner. Amongst those present were several old residents, including Mr Woodhead, senior, who came out of respect for Mr Blyth. Mr Mabin, the society's piper, played several selections during the evening. At about 11 o'clock, when the first part of the programme was gone through, and refreshments were handed round, Mr A. M. Clark, President of the Society, proposed "The health of Mr Blyth" in very felicitous terms. He said it was his pleasing duty to ask them to drink the health of their respected friend, Mr James Blyth, and they could drink it in tea, coffee, whiskey, or lemonade, as they liked best. Mr Blyth had been in the colony for about 35 years, daring which time he had worked hard, and now he was taking a well-earned holiday, and going home to the Old Country. He was an honest, hard-working member of the Caledonian Society, and the social was tendered to him to express the great respect in which they all held him. (Applause.) He sincerely trusted he would enjoy his trip to the Old Country, and that he would soon be back again to them. He had no doubt he would aee a great deal, and when he returned be able to give them some wrinkles which would be useful to them. He had no doubt Mr Blyth would be gratified by seeing so many of his old friends present. A more respectable assembly could not be got in the colony—(applause),— and it must be very gratifying to Mr Blyth to see ao many gathered together out of respect to him. He would conclude by proposing Mr Blyth's health, and he hoped that in the Old Country he would tell them what what the Caledonians of the colony were doing. The toast was drunk with musical honors, and Piper Mabin played "The Cock o' the North."

Mr Blyth, in reply, said he felt a i difficulty in expressing what he felt that night at the great kindness they had shown to him, and he hoped they would forgive him if he did not acknowledge it adequately. When he saw so many present to do him honor, he certainly felt that what he had done had been more than appreciated. He had been connected with sports in Temuka far the last 15 or 18 years, and was glad when the Caledonian society was started, as under the presidency of Mr A.. M. Clark it could not fail to prosper. He expected to be present at many of the Caledonian meetings in the Old Country, and would tell them what the people of New Zealand were doing in the way of sports. He was sure they would be proud at finding their friends in the colony following in their footsteps. He was sorry Mrs Blyth had not been able to attend that evening, and also that she would not be able to accompany him to the Old Country, but he would carry away with him the satisfaction of knowing that everything would go right in his absence. He again thanked them cordially, and sat down amidst great applause. Mr A. M. Clark next proposed the health of Mr George Woodhead, sent., one of their most respected citizens. He was very glad when he learned that Mr Woodhead had joined the society. The toast was duly honored, and Mr Mabin played “ The lads of the kilts,” Mr George Woodhead, junr., thanked them for having drunk the health of his father, and expressed a hope that Mr Blyth would soon be back to them. Dancing was then resumed and kept up spiritedly for several hours. Songs were given by Messrs McCaskill and Kirk in capital style and were highly appreciated.