PRESENTATION TO MR W. HODGSON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3626, 24 February 1883, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO MR W. HODGSON.

Not-withstanding tho inclemency of the weather last night there Avas a large attendance of members at the AVorking Men's Club to Avitness the presentation of an illuminated address and a Avatch and pendant to Mr Hodgson. At about 8 o'clock Mr T. AY. Bear, the President, took the chair, and opened the proceedings by stating, that owing to some unpleasant remarks being made on Mr Hodgson's conduct as secretary that gentleman had resigned the office, and expressed Ms intention of refraining from taking any active part in the management of the club s affairs in future. In consequence some members of the club considered that Mr Hodgson's valuable sen-ices and energetic exertions in the club's interest in the past merited some recognition, and they had therefore had an address engrossed, and purchased a Avatch and pendant for presentation to Idm as a mark of the esteem in which I he Avas held by them. His AVorship the Mayor, Dr. Spencer, Avho attended for the purpose, remarked that it gave him great pleasure in presenting the testimonial, and said he had no doubt Mr Hodgson Avorrld cstceirr it at its full A-alue, seeing that it Avould show he had given every satisfaction in carrying out the duties of the various offices he had filled Avith such credit. His AVorship then read the address as follo-.vs :— "To Mr AYilliam Hodgson. Dear sir,— AYe, the undersigned members of the Napier AVorking Men's Club, being desirous of expressing our high sense of the nrany services yon have rendered to the club, and greatly regretting lo.iing your sendees as secretary, ask your acceptance of this address Avith the accompanying present as a slight evidence of our- esteem. Believing that in the various offices filled by you, viz., for more than three years as a committee man, for two consecutive terms as president, and for the last twelve months as secretary, you have acted in a straightforward and conscientious manner in the discharge of your duties, and feeling confident that the success of our club oaves much to your exertions, avc trust that you may shortly again take an active share in the management of its affairs.—AVe arc, dearsir, your faithful friends and AvcliAvishers." (Here follow 65 signatures.) With that testimonial the Mayor begged Mr Hodgson's acceptance of a handsome silver watch and quartz pendant mounted AA-ith gold, bearing an inscription. Mr Hodgson heartily thanked the donors for the gift, and said he Avordd regard it as one of his most precious treasures. His Avork in connection Avith the club had alAvays been a source of the greatest pleasure to 'him, and lie would always strive to further its interests. He said that, talcing into consideration the population of -Napier, tho local club could compare faA-ourably Avith any institution of its kind in the colony, and he was glad to have had a share in bringing it to its present position. He concluded by Avishing the club every success. A vote of thanks Avas accorded to the Mayor, Avho suitably acknoAvledged same. The proceedings Avere interspersed Avith songs by Messrs R. 11. Robinson, Coaa-1-rick" Gilpin, and Collins, Mr Garry officiating at the piano. The address is very handsomely illuminated by Mr AVundrum, Avho has executed his task in a first-class manner, and is enclosed in a- heavy gilt frame ; it is at present on a-Icav in the AA-indoAV of Mr F. W. Collins, jeweller, Hastings street.