RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2565, 18 December 1888, Page 2

RAGLAN.

Valedictoiiv Soiree to Mr and Mrs Horsey.—This farewell gathering took place in tho large hall of Powell's building, Raglun, on Wednesday evening, the 12th inst., and was well attended bv a very large number of tho friends of Mr and Mrs Horsey. The hall was beautifully decorated with evergreens from " the forest primeval," and had a most charming appearance. The tea-tables were covered with a rich store of good things, pleasing to the eye and tempting to the appetite, to which airtple justice was done. After the tables were cleared Mr T. B. Hill occupied the chair, and in his speech spoke of the loss the district would experience in the Reference of Mr Horsey from the Kaglan school, as he had giren every satisfaction to the parents of the children, and of whose progress in their studies they might be justly proud. The more he saw of the county of Raglan and he had been over a good portion of it during the last few days) he was convinced there was a grand future before them. They had flax, wool, farm produce, and valuable timber, some of which was only found in large quantities in the Raglan and Tauranga Districts. Their hot springs, too, would be a grand thing for the district, together with a steam launch, running to the head of the harbour. He might be a sanguine man. but before them were great natural advantages, and tho Raglan district was bound to still further advance along the lines of progress. The following programme was gone through very satisfactorily Court scene from the Merchant of Venice, by school children : W VVallis, the Duke of Venice ; F. Horsery, Portia ; R. McDonald, Antonio; R. Rendell, Bassanio ; V. Pegler. Gratiano; H. Horsey, Shylock. The various parts taken by the scholars were admirable, and reflected great credit upon them and their teacher, Mr Horsey. The following gentlemen addressed the meeting:—Messrs Mitchell, Pegler, Frisaell and J. IC McDonald. Mr C. Moon gave an excellent song, and Miss Wallis sang "Tho Bridge," both of which were listened to with treat pleasure. The following recitations by the school children were also given:—"God Made All," John Clark (Maori); "The Noble Boy," John Pegler ; " Harry and the Guide Post," H. Sutton ; "Our Folks," H. Horsey; "The Duel," V. Pegler; "Home for the Holidays," F. Horsey; "Mark Antony's Oration," W. Wallis; "Do Your Best," B. Newton (Maori); " The Frenchman and the Rats," F. Horsey; "The Country Squire," R. McDonald. All acquitted themselves admirably, and were received with great applause. Mr Horsey then gave a report of the progress of the school during the past year, and in taking leave of them, alter being tenchor for the last eight years, ho thanked them for their kind expression of approval of his efforts. On behalf of himself and his wife and family he thanked them very much for their kindness, and should always remember them, and would speak well of the Raglan people. A vote of thanks to tho chairman concluded the meeting, after which dancing commenced, and was kept up till break of day. All present during the evening expressoi great regret that Mr Horsey had resignod his appointment after being among them for so many years,