Smoke Social"

(OWN OORRBSPONDBNT.) At Manaia last (Monday) evening a farewell smoke social was tendered Mr Hurley by the townspeople preparatory to his leaving for Wellington to take up his duties as secretary to the National | Dairy Association, and an illuminated ' address presented to him, the text of which was as follows : — Manaia, September 1898. To G. A. Hurley, Esq., | Dear Sir, — May we ask you, on the eve ' of your departure, after a residence of some • years to accept this as a slight recognition of your services to the town and district. Your name in connection with the Manaia Town Board, Domain and Cemetery Boards, the Forest Conservators, the Wanganui Education Board, and in fact everything of local interest in public business or recreation has become a household word. We; for ourselves and the people of Manaia and the Waimate Plains unite in wishing Mrs Hurley, yourself, and family, a long life of 1 health and prosperity, which, in endeavoring to benefit the community, you have so ■ honorably earned. — We remain, Dear Sir, yours faithfully, (Signed by Members Town Board, Forest Conservators, and townspeople.) Members of Local Bodies, Forest Conservators, settlers and townspeople were present. The Chairman, in presenting the , address, spoke highly ot the interest Mr t Hurley had taken in public matters in connection with tbe district during the past 17 years and of the loss the district i would sustain by his departure. v Everyone present spoke feelingly of Mr Hurley's many good qualities, both ' a3 a private and a public individual, > nnd expressed sorrow at his leaving ' Manaia. ! Mr Hurley retured thanks for the ■ kindness shown him, and was glad that j his efforts werb appreciated by the 3 public. Ample justice was done to Mr Steven- ' son's recherche spread, after which, ' smoke, songs, and toasting were freely ' indulged in, and everyone present voted the social an immense success. The illumination and engrossing of the address was done by Mr Norman 1 Benporath, and refleots great oredit on 1 that gentleman. It is really a work of i. art, and was very favourably commented 2 on by all. Among other things Mr Hurley's residence, the tower at the old ' redoubt, Mt Egmont, the Drill Hall, and tbe Court House were prominent. 3 " Auld Lang Syne " was heartily 1 sung, and a very pleasant evening terminated.