PRESENTATION TO MR. CHAS. RANSON.

At the offices of the Northern Steamship Company yesterday morning, a very pleasing ceremony took place, when a number of the. masters, and engineers in the .company's service assembled to make a presentation to Mr. Charles Ranson, the manager of the companyi The deputation was introduced by Mr. Geo. Gow, the assistant superintending engineer of tho company, who explained that the masters, engineers, and others in the company desired to place on record their high appreciation of the esteem in which they held Mr. Ranson for the spirit of fair play which he had always exhibited towards them. Captain William Farquhar, the commodore captain in tho company's service, then presented Mr. Ran son with a handsome gold hunting lever watch and chain. On the outside of eaoli case of the watoh Mr. Ranson's initials were engraved, and on the inside was the following " Presented to Charles Ranson, Esq., by the captains, engineers, and others in tho Northern Steamship Company's service, December, 1897." Accompaning the watch and chain was a gold matchbox and sovereign case combined. In making the presentation, Captain Farquhar said that ib was only a slight recognition of the high esteem in which Mr. Ranson was held by all in the company's service. The presentation had been confined to tho heads of departments for obvious reasons, but he could assure Mr. Ranßon that it was a spontaneous act of good feeling towards himself, and a recognition of his consideration to all in the company's service which had actuated those who had taken part in the presentation. Captain Farquhar said that another pleasing duty which he had to perform was the presentation of an illuminated address, which was as follows:—"To Charles Ranson, Esq., manager of the Northern Steamship I Company, Limited; We, the undersigned ' masters, engineers, and others, in the service of the Northern Steamship Company, Limited, desire to express our sincere regard for you, and our appreciation of the considerate treatment we have always received at your hands, we ask you to accept the accompanying gold watch and chain as a Christmas gift, and trust you may long enjoy health and strength for the position you so worthily fill." The address was. signed by all the masters, engineers, and heads of departments of the company. Accompanying the presentatioji. to Mr. Ranson was a handsome morocco case containing a pair of silver-backed hair brushes and comb and a'pair of silver entree dishes, on which was inscribed ! "Presented to Mrs. Ranson by the masters, engineers, and others in the employ of the Northern Steamship Company; wishing yourself and Mr. Ranson a long and prosperous life, and the Compliments of the Season. Auckland, December, 1807."

Mr. Ranson, on rising to reply, was loudly applauded. Ho said that) he had most decidedly been caught "on the hop" this time; and ho could not express in words his feolings. It was certainly the proudest moment of his life, and he heartily thanked them all for thoir handsome gifts to himself and his wife. He had now been nine and a.half years manager of the Northern Steamship Company, and his aim had always been to do justice to all. What Success ite had attained was owing to the cordial support which he had always received from the employees in all departments, and i! lie had not been so supported he would not have been able to have made such a success of the company as'.had been achieved. He thanked them all for the loyal supporb which had been given to hiitf, mid he trusted that the same good feeling would continue in the future, and that they would all pull together. He felt sure that Mrs. Hanson would be proud of the kindly feeling which prompted them in making suoh a handsome recognition of the good feeling of the captains, engineers, and others in the company's service towards himself and Mrs. Banson. Mr. William Laird, the commodore engineer of the company, said that, on behalf of the engineers in the company's employ, he desired to say that as soon as the matter of the presentation was mootod, ( it was most energetically supported by all. They all realised that at all times Mr. Banson had done his best to smooth over any little difficulties that had cropped up; and, speaking for all, he could assure Mr. Ranaon that he had their best wishes, and they hoped that he would long remain in his position 'as manager of the Northern Stemship Company.