FAREWELL TO DR GRAHAM

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7971, 7 February 1905, Page 3

FAREWELL TO DR GRAHAM

Enthusiastic Gathering.

Presentation By Friendly

Societies.

A farewell social was tendered to Dr Graham an the Zealandia Hall last night, when some 230 guests were present at the invitation of the Friendly Societies to do honor to the guest. Mr S. Watson, president of the Friendly Societies' Council, was in the chair, and in proposing the toast of the evening stated it was originally intended to confine the gathering to members themselves, but so many applications had come forward it had been decided to make the invitation general, and nobody would question the splendid result. He was sure the deepest regret would be felt at the departure from their midst of Dr Graham, who had been surgeon, friend, and brother to the members of the various lodges. He had become intimately acquainted with the working of the latter through being a member of two of the lodges, so ihat members were not only grateful to him for his valued services as surgeon, but also as an enthusiastic companion and believer in good fellowship. His loss was not confined to the lodges, since their guest was one of the leading and most respected citizens of Palmerston North.

The President then produced a very fine address, illuminated with characteristic skill and taste by Mr Leonard J. Watkin, and presented it to the guest amid thunders of applause. The wording of the address was as follows : —

" Palmersfcon North N.Z., February 6th, 1905.—T0 Lodge Surgeon, Dr. W. R. Graham. Dear Sir: "We, the undersigned, on behalf of the Friendly Societies of Palmerston North, whiist expressing our sincere regret that you are about to sever your connection with us, desire to place on record our great appreciation of your valued services as Medical Officer to the undermentioned lodges. "Yonr work atmong3t us hag been characterised by a generous and sympflthstic Sphifc, and your genial manner and your hearty disregard of anything like formality have done much to endear you to your many patients. " Your connection with the Societies in a capacity other than official has, we feel sure, quickened your personal sympathies towards ourselves, and this, together with a close acquaintance with, and an intimate knowledge of, lodge affairs has created a bond between us the breaking of which we know will be aB. keenly felt by you as by ourselves. In bidding you farewell, we ask you to accept this address as a small token of our esteem, coupled with our heartiest wishes that your future may spell success and be crowned with that good health which you so nobly labour to secure to others.

Signed on behalf of the members — A.0.F., J. Follas, T. Wilson ; 1.0.0. F., M.U-, H. Sharman, S. J. Watson; U.A.0.D., T. Mitchell, C. S. Rush; 1.0. R., R. McMurrav, 3. S. Munro; H.A.C.8.5., Carr, A. Eickard."

The Mayor, Mr E. O. Hurley, also spoke with warmth of the qualities of the guest, mentioning that had it not been for Dr Graham's skill, he might not have been present at the social. His Worship was joined by others in wishing the guest a successful future.

Dr Graham, in rising to respond, was received with deafening applause. In acknowledging the references to his services, he said that when he first came to Palmerston he never dreamt that he could have been able to command the respect and good wishes of Buch a large number of people. To realisa it-almost overwhelmed him. It made him regret his going keenly. No man could come into a concourse of men and receive their greetings without ieeling it greatly. Before coming to Palmerston, the doctor went on to say, he had been in Broken Hill where he became wholly conversant with the ways of Friendly Societies. Coming to Palmerston, he could not help contrasting the difference between the classes, to the favour of New Zealanders. In concluding Dr Graham mentioned that his successor Dr O'Brien had been unable to come from Melbourne in time for the social, but would arrive later.

A number of toasts were honoured during the evening, including "The Friendly Societies " and " Parliament."

SoDgs were given by Messrs Williams, Biss, Bennett, Peach, Graham, Glubb, Johnston, and H. Woods. Dances were also given by Master Raeburn and J. Hurley.