RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' PRESENTATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 149, 25 June 1888, Page 5

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' PRESENTATIONS.

There was a largo gathering of railway employees at the Waitemata Hotel on Saturday evening, the object being the presentation of testimonials to Messrs Wm. Elliott and Thos. Ballantine. Mr John Taylor occupied the chair, and Mr R. .Porter the vice-chair. The toasts of " The Queen" and ''Legislative Council and House of Representatives" having been drunk, the Chairman presented to Mr Wm. Elliott a valuable gold watch arid handsome address suitably inscribed and illuminated by Mr P. Evans, engineer, as follows:— "Dear Sir,—The employees of the Auckland station of the New Zealand railways feel that they cannot allow you to sever your connection with the service as loco, foreman, without testifying to the universal regret with which your departure 13 viewed by those who have served under you, and as a token of the high esteem and respect which you liave gained during your fifteen years' faithful service, we ask your acceptance of the accompanying souvenir. ... Wishing you every prosperity in your future career, on behalf of the subscribers, we remain, Jno. Taylor, Richard Porter (Hon. Sec.)." The Chairman also proposed " The health of Mr and lira Elliott," which was drunk heartily, and Mr Elliott responded. Mr Spragg then presented to Mr Elliott a handsome gold bracelet for Mrs Elliott, and the gift was suitably acknowledged. The vice-chair-man presented to Mr Ballantine an illuminated address, similar in design to that presented to Mr Elliott, and a handsome gold watch. The address was. as follows :—" Mr Thomas Ballantine, — Dear Sir,—The Auckland railway workshops' employees, hearing of your determination to leave the Government service, are desirous of unanimously expressing their sincere regard for the loss of one that has been so deservedly popular and highly respectedas yourself. While regretting your departure, we wish you all prosperity in your future career, and ask your acceptance of the accompanying souvenir that may remind you in years to come of the esteem in which you are held by your fellowworkmen. On behalf of the subscribers, we remain, John Taylor, Richard Porter (Hon. Sec.)." The health of Mr and Mrs Ballantine was also toasted, and Mr Ballantine replied in a few well-chosen Words. Other toasts were duly honoured, and several songs were sung, the gathering, on the whole, proving very pleasant and sociable.