Farewell Social Gathering.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 673, 17 October 1891, Page 2

Farewell Social Gathering.

Thk many friends of Miss Emily Lewie and Messrs 0. Veale (jun.) and F. Oatridge conceived an excellent farewell to the young people, who are about to leave the Colony for Western Australia. A social gathering wee held in the Wesleyan schoolroom, to which the popular trio were invited, and there they met over a hundred of their friends, nuiniy young people. AH ept themselves to make tqc gathering as happy and enjoyable as possible. Indoor games of various kinds were indulged in, and the sociable nature of the meeting would have thawed the heart of the coldest cynic. A duet, •' Beautiful Home," was feelingly sung by Misses Oxen ham and Pritchard, the company taking up the chorus, Mr East also gave a song. At nine o’clock the Rev. Mr Qibson briefir addressed those present, saying that he had a duty tj peiform which, though very pleasant, was in one sense painful, because the presentations he was about to make reminded them that some of their friends were coon fo Ippyp then;. Rut on the other hand it was a pleasure' to inoty that those to whom the presentations were to he made had been so useful to the various organisations they had assisted, and it was feit that some acknowledgement should be made of their services, ana of the esteem in which they were held. The rev. gentleman then presented a writing desk to Mr Oatridge, saying that he (the speaker) stood there as the representative of the Mutual Improvement Society, the Sunday School teachers, and the church Choir. To Mr Vealeand Miss Lewis (who are betrothed, and to be married next week) he had the pleasure of presenting a handsome silver butter-cooler. He said the presentations were not made on account of any in. trinsjo vali)e, btjt m mete tokens of the great esteem of their many friends. It) conclusion the speaker further referred to the good services rendered by the young people, from whom, he said, their friendg would always be glad to heat, Mr Birch, Superintendent of the Sunday Sohoo), spoke highly of the assistance Miss Lewis had given as a teacher in ths school, and ths great pleasure which it gave them to join in making these little presents, which would no doubt be mementoes of the many happy times they had had in Gisborne. He counselled them to go forth with a spirit of se'f-relianoe, but at the same time to ever use that judgment which men who had had experience of the world knew to be of great service. Mr East joined in tendering his good wishes, saying that Miss Lewis and Mr Vaile had been very useful members of the Choir, and he felt there would be difficulty in getting their places filled so well. He wag ' pleased to be present at that gathering to e»> I prase their appreciation of the good qualities I of the young people, and to|join in wishing 1 them Godspeed,

Mr R. N. Jones, Secretary of the Mutual Improvement Society, said they were there with mixed feelings that evening. They all came to make the meeting a merry one, but it was impossible to help feeling sorry at the thought of these friends leaving them. Still it was pleasant to know that they were going to better themselves, and not to aimlessly flit about from one place to another. He could not help specially regretting their departure for the sake of the Society, of which Messrs Oatridge and Veale bad been the most regular and reliable attendants, willingly devoting themselves to the duties which the membership of such a Society entailed, as well as participating in its pleasures. The esteem in which the young people were held was further shown by the many requests he (the Secretary) had had from former members of the Society to join with present members in the matter, and he had had to give way and remove any restriction as at first conceived. He concluded by calling for cheers for Miss Lewis and Messrs Oatridge and Veale, and a hearty response was made. Mr Oatridge briefly returned hearty thanks for the great kindness of their friends, saying that anything he had done for the Improvement Society had been a pleasure and benefit to himself. Mr Veale said he felt quite unable to express his feelings as one would like. He remembered the Bev. Mr Ward once saying that there were three kinds of pleasure—that of anticipation, cf realisation, and of reflection. He bai spent many happy days in connection with the Church and Society, and reflection would not be the least pleasure of the three. He had been seventeen years in Gisborne, and had had good health and plenty of work all that time, and they certainly would always have pleasant memories of it. If they made so many kind friends where they were going, and the climatic conditions were as good, they ought to be well satisfied. They would always be pleased to hear of the progress of Gisborne, which would have a warm place in their hearts. Mr Veale had also replied on behalf of Miss Lewis, but there were many calls for that yonng lady, who eventually responded. She was greeted most enthusiastically, and was successful in making a most pleasing little speech, in expressing thanks for the kindness of their friends. She felt that the latter had been too good to them. She was sure they would ever retain grateful memories of Gisborne, and that the mementoes presented to them would be greatly valued for the recollections with which they would be associated. She felt that she could speak for Mr Veale as well as herself, in saying that they would always do their best in the future, and try and deserve the friendship and esteem of those around them. (Applause.) The company joined hands and ** Auld Lang Syne" was sung. Tea was then partaken of, after which games were again indulged in until time for leaving drew nigh, When the company sang “ God be with you till we meet again," followed by the National Anthem, and hearty cheers for the three guMte of the evening. Mr Oatridge left for Wellington by the steamer yesterday, there beta g many friends to see him off. Mr Veale and Miss Lewis are to be married next week, and leave Gisborne on Friday, the party going on to Perth from Wellington,