A POPULAR PICTURE MANAGER.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17982, 28 January 1924, Page 14

A POPULAR PICTURE MANAGER.

PRESENTATIONS TO MR HARRY

WATERS

Mr Harry Waters, manager of Everybody's Picture Theatre, left on Saturday night en route to America and the Old Country on ■ business . connected with the Annette Kellerman film which was produced recently in Xc\v Zealand. Mr ■ Waters's trip will extend over about six mouths. Daring his absence, Mr W. J. Bannehr will be in control of Everybody's Theatre. On the eve of his departure, Mr Waters was the guest of a number of friends at a dinner, held at the Clarendon Hotel. Mr V. M. Beebe was toastmaster, and, in proposing the toast of "Our Guest," ho referred in complimentary terms to the high esteem .in which Mr Waters was held bv his many friends in Christchureh. In his business .capacity, also, he was most popular, and his ever-ready willingness to extend a helping hand and give friendly advice wherever it was needed had endeared him to all people in the picture business, who, although competitors, were proud to regard him as a friend. The speaker wished Mr Waters every success in the mission on which he was going to England. On behalf of those present, together with other friends who were unavoidably absent, he presented Mr Waters with a silver cigarette case, suitably inscribed. | Mr Claude Haigh also spoke highly of Mr Waters's iina qualities, both socially and in business. The remarks were endorsed by. all present. Mr Waters, in response, thanked the gathering for their kindly remarks and presentation. It had always been a pleasure to be associated with the people who were iu. the picture business in. Christchureh, and the speaker trusted that it would not bo a great while before his mission in England had been successfully accomplished and he could be with his Christchureh friends again. During the week the staff and directors of Everybody's Theatre met in the vestibule to bid farewell to Mr Waters. Mr F. M. DTewitt, chairman of ■directors, presided, and in a shortspeech, said that he had a pleasing duty to perform on behalf of the directors and employees of the theatre,: and that was to 'make a presentation to Mr Harry Waters, their manager. \Mr Waters, 'with a few others had been responsible tor. the founding of theatre* and • now they possessed one of the finest buildings in Christchureh. Their venture had been very successful and he was sure that the future would, bo equally so. Mr Waters had been called away to England rather hurriedly, but he was certain that the visit would be entirely successful and that Mr Waters would come back with full information regarding pictures and the management of picture houses for the improvement of .Everybody's Theatre. Mr Waters's health was drunk to the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.''

Mr Drewitt then presented Mr Waters with a handsome. wardrobe trunk' on behalf of the directors and employees. Colonel C. J. Cooper, said he-was one of the oldest friends of Mr Waters nnd had been associated with him since the' inception of the" theatre. He had 'always found their manager very courteous. .There may have been little difficulties to bo faced, alwayß Mr Waters had stood his ground and in-. varfaWy come out" On top. 1 ' Mr Waters aMr'thei rcohd'uctor, Mr Bellingham, had been a great help to the company.. He wonid like to take the opportunity .of., thanking Mr Bellingham and his confreres , for tho excellent orchestra which now played at the theatre. Mr B. Moore said he had been closely in touch -with Mr Waters- since the foundation'-'"of "the theatre. In fact, ; it had beeji .through,, a meeting,betweeja. Mr Waters and himself that Everybody's had. been -founded'. -He wished Mr Waters n -happy voyage. ~ Mr W. .Jv Bannehr,- assistant-man-: ager of the- theatre,',said it was very gratifying to hear the kind things which had been said regarding the con-, duct of tho theatre. He was sure, that the expressions of goodwill would be appreciated by Mr Waters. He was sure that the -venture of sending Mr .Waters to. England would be a success to all concerned, Mr W. J. Bellingham, on behalf of the orchestra, paid a. further tribute to Mr Waters and said that as a friend and employee, ho could say that one tiling tho orchestra could rely ■on was Mr Waters's dependability. He wished Mr Waters .ia. happy voyage and said that-.they would all be glad to see him back once more.

Mr Waters, in reply eaid it was hard to reply to the kind things which had been said about him. It was almost- impossible for words to express his feelings for their gift, and above all, for tlte kind word? vhich had been said. He felt that anything he had done during the past nine years had been largely due to the way he had been treated by his directors. He would like to take the opportunity of thanking the staff for their work, for owing to their wonderful loyalty, his position had been made an easy one. He was glad to. bo going, as.he was sure of a wonderful trip, but he was equally sure'of a good welcome when he returned. (Applause.) The toast of Mrs and Miss Waters was proposed by Colonel Cooper, and drunk with musical honours. Mr Drewitt proposed the toast of the staff of the. theatre, and Mr E. Jamieson, in reply, expressed appreciation of the sympathetic manner in which the staff had been treated by the directors and the management. '