COUNTRY NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2568, 31 July 1909, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS

VALEDICTORY GATHERING AT WAINGAKE. (From our own Correspondent.) A very pleasant gathering took" place on the evening of July 27th, at Waingake. It was the occasion of the departure in the near future of Mr. Dan 'O’Mullane, who has occupied the position of “caretaker of the roads” between Manutuke and Mangapoiki for the past three years. A social gathering had been arranged to bid farewell to “Dan” on his leaving the district to go to Australia, to take up land. It was unanimously decided that a presentation should be made, so as to, in a small way, show the regard in which Dan is held by the residents of this district. By the kind permission of Mr. Willie Daulton, the social was hold in the Waingake store, and proved to be an unqualified success. Mr. D. J. Parker occupied the chair, and in a happy speech, in the name of the district bade farewell to Mr. O’Mullane, and remarked on the many acts of kindness and self-sacrifice which “Dan” had performed for .the benefit of the settlers. He told how, on one occasion, when the roads and river crossings were in a very bad state, owing to the severe weather, Dan, on hearing that a lady was to drive to town, got up in the early hours of the morning, plunged into the icy cold river, and arranged the boulders so as to ensure a safe, and comfortable passage for her buggy. The chairman expressed the feelings of all present in saying that, in losing “Dan,” the district was losing not only a hard-working, conscientious man, but a friend in tlie truest sense of the word. The presentation took the form of a handsome gold albert, with a medal, suitably inscribed. Mr. O’jVlullane, in a few words, suitably replied, and it was obvious that he felt the parting from his many friends. Some capital songs were sung by Messrs B. J. and r‘, Parker, and by others of the company. Mr. G. Coop plaved Braga’s “La Serenata” as a violin solo. Special thanks are due fto the chairman, Mr. Dan Parker, and to Mr. Willie Daulton, in whose house the entertainment took place, and who gave an excellent supper to those present, numbering thirty-two. Several residents of the district, who -were unable to ze present in person, sent apologies for absence'. Thanks are also' due to Mr. Fred. Stewart, who displayed a great deal of energy in collecting subscriptions.