FAREWELL TO MR M. HENDERSON.

» mT.ii ■ An enthusiastic gathering of old settlers took place at the Junction Hotel last night to bid farewell to Mr , .31. Henderson,— one of Pannevirke's -oldest residents— who is about to take up his residence in the Auckland pro- ♦ "rinee, where he has embarked in an extensive sawmilling venture. - The following gentlemen were present, the Mayor (Pastor Ries) occupying the "Ohur: — Messrs Henderson (senr), rW. Henderson, Paul, Gordon Lloyd, F. 4Kwglit, -Snell, Chick, beagle, Prior, Irvine, Prummond, Webber, E. Lloyd* Collett. P*w<w>n, B. N. Blakiston, Blair/ Parrowi.Wratt, Freeman, J. Henderson, H. Moiytoith, Nymand, Gordon, Jenssen, Thomson; Rose, Bamford, Newett, Wysocki, Baddeley, Alexander and' ' .-Brick."?! - • ' ' * ~ The Mayor, in proposing the toast of the evening, said the object for which they had gathered together was tp say " good-bye to their old friend Mr Header* ■son, one of whom they could all say he *tm "a jolly good fellow." He was one of those who always took care not to let his good acts be generally known and he (the Mayor) was sure his absence would be ' telt in Dannevirke. .Some fifteen years ago at an auction sale of the photographs of Dannevirke celebrities the auctioneer described Mr Hen•darson's picture as that of " the most .popular man in Dannevirke," and he quite sure" he still held his popu- * larity. The Mayor then read the following address, which will be illuminated , l>y Mr Bamford :— , -r \ To.Matthew Henderson, Esq., J.P., Dannevirke, Dear Sir, We, the undersigned residents of Dannevirke, cannot allow you and your wife and family to leave Dannevirke without expressing to you our regret at your departure from among us. We recognise the' .great help and assistance which, you, as one. of the pioneers of the place, have always cheerfully given in furthering the interests and progress of Dannevirke, and that the town is greatly indebted to , you for many acts of in its interests. Yourgenerous assistance, help, and kindness in cases of need and distress have always been greatly appreciated. We hope that jour absence will only be temporary and that eventually we may. have the pleas- - sure of welcoming you back again as a ■ resident in Dannevirke. Wishing you, Mrs Henderson and your family every Jbappiness and prosperity in the future. [Subscribers' names.]. * At the *oaclu&ion of the reading, the Haf or lsldo banded to Mr Henderson a .gold chain for Mrs Henderson and & gold pendant for himself, which he' asked' the guest to accept in the name of all.those present., (applause). Mr Paul said he no desire to make a lengthy speech, but, he did wish, to say -that after 10 years' experience of Mr Henderson he had found that he was 'One of those men whose word was as good . as his bond. The toast. was then drank with musical honours. Mr Henderson, in replying, spoke cvi r «dently under deep emotion said he could not toll them how he felt on seeing so rinanyold friends gathered together to .V bid aim farewell. He had expected to ■find only a few. but here was a room 1 ' .full of old acquaintances everyone of whom he felt wished him well. So far .as his life in Dannevirke was coacerned he could onjy say that he had done the best he could for himself, and if he had < done good for others at the same time -so much the better. He thanked them sail for their kind, wishes, and for the ..mementos of their esteem. He would keep the address in kind remembrance -of Dannevirke and its people, from ■ whom he was not going away altogether. He was simply leaving because his 'interests in another part of the colony seemed to be greater than those in Dannevirke, but he would come back .again, and he hoped to have the pleasure «of paying the town many visits in the near future. If ever he was travelling .in, the vicinity of Dannevirke he would . certainly look in and see them, but in going away he felt that he was doing so with the good feeling of everyone in Dannevirke (Applause.) Mr George Wratt said that as an old friend and partner of Mr Henderson he . desired to wish him all success in his future. He was going info a big yen- -, turq, and he felt sure that all present hoped he might prosper. In supplementing his previous re- > marks Mr Henderson said be wished all health and prosperity, and ex- , pressed the hope that they would have > many such gatherings. He felt he , was going away with the good feeling of all, : and especially of Mr Wratt. Mr Campbell Thomson then favoured the gathering with " The Midshipmite " in his best style, and the singing of • "AuldLang Syne" terminated an exceedingly pleasant gathering, after Mr Monteith had expressed the opinion that Messrs Hsjsj)srjon Bros, .and Wratt had started Dannevirke and made it what it is. .