VALEDICTORY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8433, 3 May 1907, Page 5

VALEDICTORY.

-PRESENTATIONS TO MR AND » MRS J. A. RENALL.

Mr. J. A. Renall, ex-Mayor of Masiterton, who is about to leave Masterton to take up his residence permanently in the Auckland district, was tendered a farewell social in the Town Hall last evening. There was ajlarge and representative attendance. The stage was elegantly furnished and decorated with flowers. On the stage were seated about twenty representatives of the various local bodies in Masterton, and also a num- ! ber of Jadies. The Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine) occupied the chair. The Town Clerk (Mr R. Brown) read apologies for absence from Messrs A. R„ Bunny, J. H. Pauling, J. lorns, W. McKenzie, J. .C. Boddington, and Mrs Boddington, who stated that they would have been present but for the inclemency of the weather. The Mayor was the first speaker. He said lie considered ,it an honour to be present to .do honour to one of Masterton's greatest citizens. Mr Renall was the son of a man who would never be forgotten in Masterton. The public had shown their appreciation by electing him as Mayor. He (Mr Coradine) had been an opponent of Mr Renall as well as a friend of his. He had been beaten for the Mayoralty by Mr Renall, but he must say he had been beaten honourably. During his term of office Mr Renall bad spared neither time, energy nor money to further the interests of the town. The speaker was pleased 'to see such a representative audience, and he felt sure that it must be gratifying to Mr Renall.. In conclusion, he wished Mr Renall every prosperity in his future home. Mr E. G. Eton, ex-Councillor, said it gave him great pleasure to be present to do homage to a man who had done so much good work for Masterton. He had always found Mr Renall an impartial man, and always anxious to do what was right. He was sure that the good works of Mr Renall in Masterton would always be appreciated, and he felt that the large audience present that night reflected the popularity of Mr Renall. If Mr Renall returned to Masterton, he could be sure of a hearty welcome. Mr M. Caselberg said he felt honoured at being able to speak publicly of Mr RenaU's good qualities Mr Renall was one of Masterton's j most upright citizens. The speaker went on to say that he had nominated Mr RenaH for the Mayoralty. r ancri everybody knew how successful Mr Renall had been m the capacity of Mayor. He had been a progressive Mayor, and his works were known far and wide. Mr Renall derived no personal gain from his , works in Masterton. Whatever he did was for the good of the citizens. The speaker referred to Mr RenaU's charity in donating the land for the Renall-Sol-way Home. (Applause.) He had also given £25 towards the purchase of an ambulance waggon for Masterton ; in fact, said the speaker, he always had his hand in his pocket. In conclusion, he hoped that Mr. Renall would be as highly esteemed in his new home as he was in Masterton, and that he would return' at some future tdate to Kasterton.* Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., ;'said he Had never had a more pleasant duty to perform than he had that night, and to make a presentation to two of the most esteemed citizens of Masterton. He had known Mr Renall for about a quarter of a century. The speaker considered Mr Renall the kindliest and most largehearted citizen he had known. Mr Renall's good works were widely known. Mr Renall was 9 lover of dancing, and before he left Gladstone he had a hall built for the people of that locality. The speaker then went on to refer to Mr Renall's work in establishing the Dairy factory in Masterton.. Mr Renall had ? 'done splendid y/ork on the various local bodies. Mr Renall was a maivpossessed of great courage. He was the son of a wofbvjy father, who was one of the pioneers of Masterton. He was pleased to see that the citizens had thoughtit fitting to make a lasting presentation ta Mr Renall, and in addition to show Mrs Renall some token of esteem also. Mr Hogg then presented Mr Renall, on behalf of the citizens of Masterton, with a handsome illuminated address and a gold watch, also a gold watch and chain and diamond brooch for Mrs Renall. In addition, Mr Hogg presented'Mr Renall with an embroidered silk handkerchief on behalf of the Chinese tenants of his property. (Appl^nse.) Mr C. A. Pownall said that Mr Renall, both in public and private life, was, to put it briefly, a man. A public man required to give a great deal of time to public business, and Mr Renall had done this. He thought the number present and the presentation Mr Renall had received showed how he was appreciated in Masterton. He wished to be brief, and he Wou'd conclude by saying that he wished Mr and Mrs Renall success wherever they might be and in whatever they might undertake in the future. The Rev. Dean McKenna'expressed himself as pleased to be able to show his appreciation of Mr RenaU's many 'favours to the religious denominations of the town. He felt sure that wherever Mr Renall went he would have the best wishes of the people of Masterton. Mr Renall, who on rising to reply, was greeted with loud and prolonged applause, said it gave him great pleasure to hear the many kind things that had been said of him that evening. He placed a great value on the handsome testimonial they had given him, not on account of its intrinsic value but because of the signatures that were attached to it. The words spoken about his father that evening reminded him of the work the old pioneers had done for Masterton. He instanced particularly the Truft Lands Trust, which would be a valuable endowment for Masterton for all time. Much praise had been given him for the good, work he had done while Mayor, but he could not accept all the praise. He had had a good body of Councillors to work with, and to those persons he had to return thanks for past assistance. He thanked them heartily for the valuable gifts, not only for himself but on behalf of Mrs Renall. The following musical items were rendered during'the evening:—Song, "Romany Lass," W. Jago; songs, "I Want to Go To Morrow," and "He

Was a Married Man." Mr H. Hall; song,"Maid of Athens" Mr N.H. McEwen (encoi'ed); song, "In Port, " Mr S. H. Ralph; "song, "Home, Sweet Home" (in Maori), Mrs Te Tau; pianoforte solo. Miss J. Hogg. The Masterton Municipal Brass Band was in attendance, and l'endersd several selections. The gathering concluded with the Band playing the National Anthem. Three cheers were given for Mr, and Mrs Renall.