AN OLD WEST COASTER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 685, 9 December 1909, Page 8

AN OLD WEST COASTER.

■'-.' - x , .':•:'''■ '——- — -* ■—■ '..-"■' :.-'.;'.' ■' HON. E. ':■ M-KENZDE ENTERTAINED. The annual-reunion, of the West Coasters' Association was held in the Sydney Street Schoolroom last", evening. The' chair was • occupied by Mr. T. MTariand, president, and the guest of;the evening was the Hon/E. MTKenzie, Minister for 7 Public /Works and • Mines. Amongst those present were: The Hons: Dr. Findlay, vA'/'E'. Guinness, T. Mackenzie, and D. Duddo, and Messrs. T. Seddon aiidX CoVvrn, M:P.'s. During an interval the dances an illuminated address in the following torms was presented to the Hon, Mr., M*Kenzie by the ' prcsident:r-. - .-"'/-.! . - '.■-, ■'/, "Wellington, .Decomber 8, 1909. "To thq Hon.. Roderick MTCeiizie,. M.P.,,7. Minister for Mines and Public Works. : "The W.est Coasters resident in Welling- < /tondesirb at • this, their first annual social " and reunion since your elevation to the Min- : istry on June' 7, 1909, to' congratulate you on receiving a well-merited recognition of your past services, to .New Zealand. The older generation', of us, who, since your . arrival, on the Coast,in 1870, have known . you as •a; practical minor and contractor, and as a statesman since your entry into Parliament in 1893, feel groat satisfaction , in knowing that tho .important. Departments of. Mines, and Public ..Works .have.-, been ■ placed ui. your.'capable and experienced - hands. _ Your success is life is'som'othirig" to.- inspire the. younger generation of -us,- 7 who look upon you ns a' brilliant example / of what can. be achieved by consistent 'hard work, coupled'with honourable' conduct. We ask yon to accept tho : accompanying memento of the occasion, and wo trust that yourself and- Mrs. M'Kenrie will long be spared to do further great things for this ' country, and that you will'both enjoy, long ■ life'and happiness.-' .' ■ ..-■ '. \&r gol . d baa S l6 was also presented' to Mrsi' M Jvenzie. -■'■■.-' ;

The. Hon. Dr. Pmdlay, in a brief speech, referred to early days on.'the Coast, and spoke in flattering terms of the good qualities pos"sessed by the guest of tho evening, whose' success was truly an example to- the youneer generations. .- :•■■■.-•.

Mr. Seddon, M.P., also remarked on the strong characteristics of Mr. M'Kenzie; ; and' ,j«welt-on_ the manner in which ho had .h'anuled *ho Huntly strike. As to the present strike'at Jjreymouth he .(tho*speaker)' was snre ' t^at : iyeryoody had entire confidence" in Mr. M'Konzie s ability tp see the matter through to a' successful -end./ , ;- . .., .■ ■: ;

T,rS l6 i? on -,^, r - T Qnnm€SS and Messrs'. 3. J.' MGrath and E. J. Fitzgibbon also spoke. ■: ihe .Presentation to Mrs. MTCcnzie was made by Miss Rolleston.- :■■ ■

In replying at some length, Mr. MTJenzie P a J d ~ tnb ute the sterling, qualities of the : ..old Coast pioneers, a hardy intelligent band P«ople» children had made .their mark/throughout New Zealand. : He could look to no. better enjoyment than of spending an evening with old Coasters and'the children of oia Coasters. - (Applause.)' For ; himself, he Had always endeavoured to do justice to'everv man he came across, Jbut it did not give him any great trouble if he offended anyone if-he. thought that person was'endeavouring, to set' something.he was not entitled to.. (Applause and hear, hear.) He tried to do justice: to everyone and ill to no "one. His heart was ™ fte warm-hearted: people of "the Coast' although during the past 17 or 18 years he had only.visited the Coast at intervals. On behalf of himself and Mrs. MTCenzie he cdnld only .express■ his sincere .thanks for .the-pre-sentations. .:,,>, ...»"'/