April 26, 1918 Farewell at Mitre Lake To Mr and Mrs H.A. SUDHOLZ The heavy rain which fell on Wednesday night, and the electric condition of the atmosphere, prevented a large number of Mr and Mrs Hermann SUDHOLZ's friends from attending the farewell given in their honour in the Mitre Lake South Hall. But it spoke volumes for the esteem in which they are held that such a number should brave the almost blinding flashes of lightning and deafening peels of thunder, to drive in some cases ten miles in order to be present. The rain was heaviest between 7 and 8 when most people were preparing to leave or were on the road. As is well known Mr SUDHOLZ has sold his land at Mitre Lake and purchased a much better and more extensive area of land close to Murtoa. Hence his departure and the farewell social, of which Mr C.G. PUMPA was the organiser. Proceedings opened with games and interspersed with songs and recitations. At about 11 o'clock, Mr A. BARKER, who was chosen to make the presentations, said it gave him great pleasure to be present. Casting his mind back over the past years and thinking of the pioneers who had done so much for the district, the name of SUDHOLZ stood out prominently. The times in those early days were not as good as now, as there was very little for a man except hard work. The yield of wheat was like the price--very low. The progress was slow but through self-denial they had been able to hand down to their sons beautiful heritages, of which those sons should be proud. Tonight they were honouring a product of one of those sturdy pioneers. As a farmer Mr SUDHOLZ could hold his own against anyone, and he had plenty of pluck and energy. He regretted that such men as Mr SUDHOLZ were going away. They gave a tone to a district. Mr SUDHOLZ had taken his full share of public duty. Mr and Mrs SUDHOLZ should be proud that such a gathering had assembled to do them honour on such a night. He had much pleasure in presenting Mr SUDHOLZ on behalf of friends present and absent, with a silver salver, and to Mrs SUDHOLZ, on behalf of members of the Girl's Friendly Society, with an oak tray. Mrs SUDHOLZ had been secretary of the society since its inception, and had made great sacrifices for the cause for which she worked, but there was a lasting pleasure where there was sacrifice. Mr R.G. McCLURE said he was sorry they were loosing Mr and Mr SUDHOLZ from the district. Mr SUDHOLZ had taken a great interest in public affairs, particularly the Hall, and he did not know how they would get on without the SUDHOLZs, to whom they had looked to get the committee out of difficulty. Mr SUDHOLZ had taken the most prominent part in the rebuilding of the Mitre Dam. Mr SUDHOLZ was a promising man and had done his duty well. He might say that though the guest and he had not got on too well together they were parting the best of friends. He wished Mr and Mrs SUDHOLZ every prosperity. Mr Pat BUNWORTH and Cr. Jas. BUTLER also expressed their deep regret at the approaching departure of Mr and Mrs SUDHOLZ and the hope that they would be happy and prosperous in their new home. Mr SUDHOLZ said it was not an easy matter for him to make a speech. He was sorry to leave his old friends. If the district had not treated him so well he would still have been struggling along. He had tried to act as honestly as he could. the valuable presents they had received would be very highly appreciated indeed, and would be placed in foremost places in their house and would be taken with them as a reminder of the friends at Mitre Lake. He had had a good deal to put up with on account of his German name, but when the war broke out it was too late to change his name, and it would be a pretty shallow loyalty if he had to do it. He had tried to do his best as a councilor and acting under the good advice of ex Cr. CROSS he had always endeavored to inspect works before bringing it before the council. he thought that one or two young men were needed in the council to stir up the old hands. One of the best things the people of the district could do, if they wished to prosper was to patronise the local business people, which was the most practical way of supporting decentralisation. He wished to offer Mrs SUDHOLZ's and his best thanks for the handsome gifts they had received. If they had had the choosing themselves they could not have chosen anything more suitable. On Mrs SUDHOLZ's behalf he desired to thank the members of the Girls' Friendly Society for their kindness. Mr BARKER announced that he had received a written apology for the unavoidable absence of Mr F.N.S BENNETT and verbal apologies from others. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows" was sung and a coffee supper was partaken of after which dancing was indulged in. Daryl Crabtree Gladstone Qld www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/goroke/