A YOUNG MAN'S MAN.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 332, 20 October 1908, Page 3

A YOUNG MAN'S MAN.

BANQUET TO MR. G. A. TROUP. The annual reunion of St. John's Young Men's Bible Class and Old Boys' Association was combined lasfc evening with a complimentary banquet to welcomo Mr. G. A. Troup oil his return from a tour of the world. Tliero was an attendance of over 100 at the, banquet, which was held at Godber's Rooms, Cuba Street. ' Mr. J. Thomson, in proposing the health of tho guest, referred to the ungrudging work which Mr. Troup had done for the class, and expressed the satisfaction that was felt at his return'to Wellington in restored health. It was one of tho privileges of their lives to havo known such a man as their guest. He referred to Mr. Troup's rapid rise in the Railway Department, and, reverting to his work as Bible Class leader, said that it was felt that ho had done more for young men in New Zealand than'any other man. "hey could not get a bettor monument of Mr. Troup than tho Boys' Institute; lie had done | much for the poor boys of tho city. Mr. Thomson dwelt on Mr. Troup's sympathy, tact, self-effacement, and self-denial. Mr. J. D. Anderson also spoke to the toast, emphasising the enthusiasm shown by Mr. Troup in connection with tho class. The meeting was a particularly happy one, in that it was the 21st birthday of the class, which Mr. Troup had founded. , The health, joined to that of Mrs. Troup, was drunk with musical honours and the utmost applause. ; . Mr. Troup, who rose amidst cheers and continued acclamations, said that ho discounted most of tho remarks made about himself, but endorsed those referring to Mrs. Troup. (Three further' cheers were then given for Mrs. Troup.) Tho guest of the evening expressed thanks for the reception given him, mentioning that many of the past members of the class had evidently come long distances by train. It had been a great pleasure to him to be met in Australia, South Africa, London, Scotland, America, arid Fiji by old boys, whom he enumerated. Mr. Troup gave •an interesting account of visits paid to the Victoria Falls (South Africa) and Niagara, and told some amusing stories of tho ignorance of New Zealand shown'abroad, and incidents met . with in his travels. He thought .that the Canadian ,was ' very much akin to . the New.Ze.alander. Among the men who had impressed him ;vory much were the Rev. F. B. Meyer, who, lie understood, was likely to come to New Zealand; Dr. Alexander Whyte, of Edinburgh, the grandest old man whom lie had ever met; "Ralph Connor," a very strong man, ,who would not require much inducement to come- to this Dominion, on which he was marvellously well informed, and "Ralph Connor's" father, the minister of "Tho Man from Glengarry." Mr. Troup also referred to institutions visited and movements studied. Other toasts were "The King," "The Class," proposed by Mr. W. Gray, M.A., responded to by Mr. C. A. Redgrave; "Old Boys' Association," proposed by Mr. J. S. Butler, responded to by Mr. J.-G. Smith; and "Bible Class Unions," proposed by Mr. R. G. Hiistwick, and, responded to by Messrs. J. Boal and C. Falconer. Songs were sung'by Messrs. A. H.- Hollis, W. E. Caldow, and S. Clarke Johnston; Mr. 0. Lambie played a piano solo, and Mr. F. Redgrave gave a recitation.