Valedictory.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1819, 18 June 1897, Page 4

Valedictory.

A number of Mr J. D. Buchanan's bachelor friends assembled in the Dunstan Hotel on Wednesday evening last, to bid him farewell on the eve of his departure for Wellington, where he is to be married next week to Miss Fache, daughter of Mr George Fache, formerly of Clyde. Mr M § J. Staunton occupied the chair. After the toast of ' The Queen ' was pro« posed and drunk with musical honors, Mr Staunton read apologies from a number of Mr Buchanan's Cromwell friends. Mr Staunton suM that a"I present no doubt knew thab they had met that evening to bid Mr Buchanan farewell, and the fact of such a number of his friends being present was a token of the regard and esteem in which he was held. He had been acquainted with Mr Buchanan since he first came to Clyde, and was pleased to say that he hid always found in bim the qualities that no to make a gentleman, and as Mr Buchanan was about to enter the ranks of benedicts, ho asked all present to charge their glasses and dtink to the health and future posperity of Mr Buchanan and his bride - elect. He a'so requested Mr Ruchanan to convey to Wiss Fache the heartiest good wishes of all present. The toast was then drunk with musical honors.

Mr A. E. Gye, on behalf of the DtJNSTAK Times staff, conveyed to Mr Buchanan the heartiest congratulations and good wishes of his co-workers for his happiness and prosperity and that of his future wife. As Mr Gilkison had already explained to Mr Buchanan the esteem with which he Wfi ''

held by the membeis of the s'aff, he would conclude by wishing Mr Buchanan and his bride-elect every happiness and prosperity. Mr T. Beveridge, in alluding ti Mr Buchanan's connection with the Vincent Cycling Club, said it was chiefly due to his efforts that the club was first started. He had always taken an active interest in the club's welfare, and its present sound financial position was mainlv due to his efforts.

Mr Buchanan in responding, said he felt this was an occasion on which it was impossible to clothe in adequate language the feelings which he would like to express. He assured his friends of his deep sense of the honrr they had done him that evenin2, thanking them very heartily on behalf of Miss Fache and himself, for the toast they had so enthusiastically responded to, and foi the many kindly sentiments exp-esssd. In concluding, he assured them that he would con tin u i to t ike an even more active interest in cycling, and in the Vincent Cycling Club in particular, and again thanked those present (and also his Cromwell friends) for the very kind wishes expressed towards Miss Fache and himself.

The toasts of 'Absent Friends,' coupled with the name of Mr Geo. Fache, «Host and Hostess,' and 'The Chairman,' were also proposed. In responding to the latter Mr Staunton said he had the honor of being one of the first vice-presidents of the Cycling Club, and in anything that had to be done he had always reoeived the greatest assistance from the local members. Songs were given during the evening b Messrs G. Jeffery, H. Stevens, H. Gye Hueston and Beveridge. The singing o * God Save the Queen,' and ' Auld Lang Syne' brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.

PRESENTATION. On Tuesday evening last Mr Buchanan, foreman of the Dunstan Times, was made the recipient (en the occasion of his approaching marriage) of a handsome chased silver teapot, the gift of his fellow employee?. Mr R. S. Gilkison, in making the pre* sentatipn, expressed to Mr Buchanan the esjieem and good"will in. which f,e was hejd by his fellow workmen, and concluded by wishing Mr Buchanan and Miss Fache all health and prosperity through life. Mr Buchanan said he appreciated the sentiments expressed by Mr Gilkieon,.'and thanked the staff for their handsome present, He would have much pleasure in conveying to his future wife the many kind wishes expressed on his and her behalf.