VALEDICTORY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2281, 28 August 1908, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

FAREWELL TO AIR. T. A HOLDSAVORTH.

There was a crowded attendance at tlie Alhambra. Club last evening, when a farewell social was tendered to Air. T. A. Holdswortli, laje president of the Alhambra Club, on tlie eve of his departure for Australia. Air. AV. It. Brady, the president of the Club, presided, and was supported by Alessrs L. A. Ellerbeck and AA r . Paltridge, vice-presidents. Air. Brady stated they had met that evening to take a formal farewell of Air. Holdswortli, who had been president of the Alhambra Club almost from its inception. To the wholesouled and capable manner in wliich he had guided the destinies of the Club '-through the troublous months of its infancy, and to his capabilites as an organiser, the Club in large measure owed tlio satisfactory position it occupied that evening. Air. Holdswortli was esteemed by everyone who knew him, and all regretted liis departure from Gisborne. On behalf of the members of the Alhambra Club, the President presented Air. Holdswortli with a bullock-hide travelling-bag, bearing the following inscription: “Presented to T. A. Holdswortli by the members of the Alhambra Club, 27/8/08.” On behalf of several individual members of the Club he asked Air. Holdewortli’s acceptance of a set of pipes in case and cigar and cigarette holders. In making the presentation, Air. Brady said they were a small token of the esteem in which their guest was held by the members of the Club, and ho hoped lie would live long to use them, and that his future career would be happy and prosperous.

Alessrs Ellerbeck, Paltridge, Miller. Ingram, J. AV. Somervell, A. AVanl, and J.; A. Somervell also voiced regret at Air. Holdsworth’s departure, and paid high tributes to the esteem in which ho was held and the valuable services ho had rendered the Club in the position of president. Air. Holdswortli was greeted with prolonged applause on rising to respond. Ho said he was pleased to know tint liis efforts had been appreciated, and that he carried away with him the goodwill of the members. The Club lmd an excellent executive, and there was no reason why with judicious management It should not bo made the leading club in the district, Its success in such a short time had been simply phenomenal, and there was no reason why that progress should not be maintained, lie thanked them heartily for the presentations, and assured them that lie would never forget the Alhambra Club, or the many pleasant social evenings ho had spent with its members.

During the evening the president presented the first prize, a billiard cue, for the recent billiard tournament, to Air. It. Somervell; and the second prize, a set of gold sleeve-links, to the runner-up, Mr. F. Armstrong. Tlie prizes for tlio recent euchre tournament were also presented to Air. E. Johnson (Ist), greenstone brooch; and Air. G. Lapidge <2nd), set silver-mounted pipes. The recipients suitably responded. A capital musical programme was rendered during the evening. iSongs were snng by Alessrs Simmons, Aliller, Paltridge, Trent, Tavlor, Carter, AVest, Be veil, A. Pritchard, AA'allace, and AI. Doyle. A duet was sung by Alessrs Simmons and Taylor, and recitations were given by Alessrs B. Somervell and Ingram. * Several capital banjo selections were played by Air. Stebbing, and a pianoforte solo by Air. AVootton. An excellent supper was handed round at 11 o’clock, Air. AVootton’s catering leaving nothing to be desired .

Tw 0 tilings wlucli contributed largely to the undoubted success of the social were the happv and genial manner in which Air. Brady presided and the capable style in which Air! A. J. Strong acted as accompanist. r? tewmated at midnight with “Auld Lang Syne, 1 '