VALEDICTORY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2836, 2 July 1895, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

A number of members of local institutions, and friends of Messrs W. H. Walton and C. Caldor, mot oa Saturday evening at the Geraldine Hotel commercial room, to give them a “ send off ” prior to their departure to take up their residence in Timaru. Mr Walton has been appointed to a position at the Farmers’ Co operative stores, and Mr Calder to a place at Messrs Ballantyuo & Co’s. Mr A, White, chairman of the town board, who occupied the chair, spoke of 1 the pleasure it gave him at being present, which, however, was mingled with feelings of regret that they were about to Hose two much-respected townspeople at one time. Yet ho was glad to know that in leaving Geraldine they were both leaving to better themselves in life. Mr Walton had always been a worthy townsman, and was always active and foremost in anything he had taken in hand. He was captain of the local live brigade, and ho thought they would all agree with him that Mr Walton carried out ins duties lu a very honorable manner. (Hear, hear). As a proof of this no might mention that seven members of the brigade had recently got long-service medals. Besides this Mr Walton had been s--.no three or four years chairman of the Geraldine bchooi Committee, and in that capacity he had given satisfaction to every householder in the town. He had likuwi.-e been a member of the Geraldine Town Board, and «« such he had shown a lot of common sense. In passing ho might say that he believed the brigade could not do butter than promote Limit. Wiueliold, to fill their late captain’s place, and, ns chairman of the town board, ho could assure thorn it would bo approved of. Mo was quite sure that Lieut. ' . icefield would fulfill the duties in an olhe.oi.-t manner. The meeting that evening was a very impromptu one, being got 1 r i ! err <m very short, no ice, and thus, he v.os r.orry to sav, i here v, ere no icatimoomiS to piusent to their fellow townsmen about to leave, but, ho had reason to believe ’-hero would be something of the kmc. at a iniure date. As regards M r Gai-ler, that g-.-n.lonian had, like Air W.dton, been ioi.mmm in anytiling for the good of Dm district, and especially so as a singe 1 '- m giving his cervices at ioe.il cono.ei Is, -te. Whenever required !m ban berm Mi.fr ’o the tore — applause--ami they had vopyed many .J fjolig from Ml' ' abler. Loth oymicii-citi w ’re leaving the district at an early 'flat-, so thorn was not time at present to rfcognisojlieir services in the maa-m-r lb v dr.s rvod. ■p r j.’, 11, I’earpoii.i endorsed the rose Irks i<;ado by Mr While, and said he was in rather an awkward position iq.

haviug to make a fow remarks, seeing that one of the guests had been working with him so long in business. He had known Mr Calder tV.r a few years and highly appreciated his efforts to do what he could for the town. Out ho had known Mr Walton a deal longer—fully tweuty-owe years. Ever since that time Mr Walton had ui.aer been in his employ, or else yart of the time under him. When Mr W alton came to Terauka he was a lad barely IG, and they all knew how he had prospered since, which, he might flay, was entirely due to his own ability and integrity (Applause.) He thought that for a young man Mr Walton had worked himself up well to take tho position he was about to take at Timaru, and this was all the more credit to him. (Hear, hoar). He was more sorry than anyone could be at Mr Walton’s leaving, for he had always in business been his

(Mr Pearpoint’a), right-hand man ;for years. He could at any time leave Mr Walton in charge, feeling that everything would work as smoothly as if he were at home. Although sorry to lose Mr Walton, he was glad to see that he was about to better himself. Mr F. Wilson Smith said that of what little he knew of Mr Walton he could not express an opinion too high with regard to him. He had known Mr Walton ever since he had known Geraldine, and he found him a man with a position in the place, and one they would miss. In fact, he was a man they could little afford to lose. He did not presume on tho position ho held, but did good work nevertheless. Mr Calder they had not seen in his prime, hut they all had the pleasure of hearing him sing, and hoped to hear him agam many a time. He thought both guests deserved the thanks of the town for the work they had done so ungrudgingly, and without the least assumption. (Applause), Mr J. W. Pye said no one was more sorry to part with two friends than he was with their guests. He had known them both for some years, and he was sure the work they had done in the township would bear fruit in Ihe future. (Hear, hear). He hoped they would continue to prosper wherever they went. (Applause.) Tho health of the two guests were then drunk with musical honors, and in reply they each thanked the speakers for their kind remarks, and expressed their sorrow at leaving so many kind friends behind them. Lieutenant Winefield spoke with reference to Mr Waltou as Captain of the Geraldine Fire Brigade, in which he had always taken the greatest interest. He also thanked Mr Calder for giving his services to the Brigade in helping to raise funds for long service medals, Mr Calder had given his services both at concerts and in serenading tours': During the evening songs were contributed by—Messrs Erskiue, Owles? Calder, White, Morrison, Krause? Mcllroy, Mines, Sugden, and Brown. At an interval an adjournment was made to tho dining room, whore supper was provided by Host Dooley, after which votes of thanks to the host and tho chairman, brought a pleasant gathering to a close, all hands wishing the guests of tho evening good-bye.