VALEDICTORY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 13 April 1926, Page 8

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATION TO AIR AND AIRS H. E. SAIITH. On Friday a verv pleasant function tool" place in . Victoria Hall, Winchester, for the purpose of making a presentation to Air and Mrs H. E. Smith who are leaving the district-. There was a verv la pro attendance, among those present being a largo contingent from Orari Gorge. Air .1. rl. Langford, chairman of the committee, presided. The first part of the programme consisted of a conceit, which was \ci,V much enjoyed. Every item was encored. The programme opened with a pianoforte duct by Aliases 11. and Al. Opic. Songs were rendered by the school children, Aliases E. Bryan and E. Smith, and Air N. Robertson ; monologues were given by Alcssrs R. Alalcolm and F. AY. Salmon; Air Aex AA lute nlaved a violin solo, accompanied by Mi.is B. Opic. Airs F. W. Salmon opened the second part with a pianoforte solo. The accompaniments were played bv Mrs Salmon, Aliases Al. Spurditn. G. South. B. Orue, and Baker. Alter supper, provided hv the ladies, Mr Langtord asked ISI r and Mrs Smith to come forward. On the stage were the guests, and Airs \A . AleLeod, Alcssrs A. J. Blakiston, John .South, and J. AVcbb (old friends of Ain Smith). Air J. L. AA’bitc (lion, secretary), before the presentation was made, read apologies from Alcssrs G. Sheldon, A. L Barker, D. Ferguson, D. Stewart, T D Burnett, C. ..Johnston, AY. Lambic. F. AV. Sballard, J. Ashwoll. and J. AlcDonald. all of whom wished Mr and Airs Smith every prosperity in the future. , Air AVhite said the people had been delighted to help in the' function. He •said Air and Airs Smith bad taken great interest in the school during the short time be had been there. He wished to return thanks to the “Timaru Herald” and the “Tenuika Leader” for free advertising, to the Hall Committee, and to the Tennis Club, and Air Shepherd for loan of crockery. In making the presentation, Afr T. H. Langford referred to the regret they all felt at losing two such esteemed residents. It came as a great shock to them when the. heard that Air and Alik Smith were leaving the district. Ho could assure them that they would carry the best wishes of the residents with' them. Thev would never regret it if. they lived in the future as they had done in the past. r J'he large sum of money raised spoke wonders of the esteem and regard in which the guests were held. In handing to Air Smith a large wallet of notes. Air Langford wished Air and Mrs Smith every prosperity and happiness in the future. The audience sang “For They are Jollv Good Fellows.” . , Air JcJhn Sputh said that Air Smith was the first man that lie worked for when leaving school. Air Smith had looked after him well and had left a good impression to him as a man and a boss. He hoped that Air and Airs Smith would make Geraldine their new home. Air A. J. Blakiston (Oran Corgc) said he had known Air Smith since 1868. He said when staying at Oran Gorge for his school holidays he used to carry away fleeces from the sorting table for him; more often putting them in the wrong bin than the right one. ; He had alwavs acted as a father to those who had to work with him. His word was his bond. He sincerely hoped that Air and Airs Smith would make Geraldine their new home. He wished them everything that was good in the future. • '

Air J. C. South said he had known Air Smith for a great number of years. Tie considered that Air Smith was one of the finest men that he ever met. In AYailii football matters he was ever willing to help. There was not a more generous man in the district, and ho was considered the father of AVinchcstcr. No one ever doubted his word. AA'inchestor could ill afford to lose pebnle of Afr and Airs Smith’s calibre. Ah' South spoke of AJrs Smith’s kindness to the school children, and in cases, of sickness. He wished them every happiness and prnspcritv in the future. Alcssrs J. AYebb (Orari Gorge) and Bart rum (Riiupuna) also spoke eulogistienTy of Air and Airs Smith. Air" T. Gunnion said he felt honoured to say a few words. He had known Ah- Smith for a great number of years. His heart was big and was one that was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in distress. The trees in the Winchester Domain were a memorial to the Smith family. He wished Afr Smith was going to settle in Teniuka, where they wanted good men.

Mr W. McLeod (Orari Gorge) said be had known Sir Smith from bovhood. He bad much pleasure in endorsing what the other speakers had said. Mr C. L. Austin said when he was chairman of the School Committee Mr Smith was one of the host workers on the committee.

Mr H. A. Philp. ns one of the members of the School Committee, said it had been a pleasure to work with Mr Smith. He was like a father to the members, and Mrs Smith also took a great interest in school work. Mr T. Bennett (Ruapuua) also endorsed what the previous speakers had said.

Mr Smith, who was greeted with loud cheering, replied on behalf of his wife and himself. ’ He thanked them very heartily for the very handsome present. He said they were sorry they wore leaving Winchester, but they thought it was for their own good. _ Ml’ Smith spoke reminiscently of his early life. He said he was horn <;t. Riocnrton in 1854, and came to Mount Peel in 1857,. He spent the first night stuck in the Rnngitata river with their conveyance. He came to Orari Gorge in 1860. He walked from Mount Peel to Orari Gorge. When he arrived at Orari Gorge he camped in an old hut with six inches of snow on the ground. Ho spent four years at Orari Gorge, and then went back Mount Peel till the big flood, when his father was killed. After this lie was sent to school in Christchurch. When his school days were done he came to Washd.vkc, whore he stayed for two years. Leaving there he came to Winchester in 1870, where ho had resided ever since. He liud spent fifty years wool-classing at Orari Gorge, and he hoped to lie hack again next season. He and his wife booed to settle in Geraldine. Tn conclusion, Mr Smith said, “while l have my little, mate I don’t think much will go wrong.” (Loud applause.) Mr Langford, on behalf of the committee. returned thanks to those who had taken part in t.he concert, to all those who had subscribed to tile presentation, and to those who had assisted that evening. A dance was hold after the presentation. Mrs A. R. Scott and Mr W. Smith supplied the music, and Mr J. O. Soutli made an efficient M.C.