PRESENTATION BY THE TRADING. COMMUNITY.

Evening Star, Issue 9581, 29 December 1894, Page 2

PRESENTATION BY THE TRADING. COMMUNITY.

Mr Grant left by the express jbrain,this morning in order to catch the Takapuna TitXJfttelton, and go by her to Onehunga. A half an'hour before the train left there was a representative mustef of business men in the Chamber of Commerce hall to which Mr Grant was invited. There were pre-Bent-the Hon. J. G. Ward (Colonial Treasurer), the Hon. T.» .Fergus, Messrs J. 'T. Mackerras, J. Hazlett, A. Burt,' Sew Hoy, James Smith; J. Loudon, D. Baxter, John Moloney, A. Lees, R. Edgar Wilson, J. Edgar, F. Oakjlen, John Reid, S. J. Loring, W. Gow, C. S. Owen, T. Callender, W. F. Edmonds, T. Culling, T. Arthur, C. A. Piper. A. Lee Smith, M. Cohen, W. Emery, Jas. Duthie, W. P. Watson, G. Fenwick, A. S. Paterson, G. M. Rarr, Wm. Crombie, T. Brydone, C. M. Howison, E. F. Duthie, Jas. Gibson, and C. Colclough. The Hon J. G. Ward, who on stepping to the platform was greeted with loud applause, said that he had been requested to perform a duty which, under ordinary circumstances, would be regarded as of a very pleasurable kind. On this occasion, however, they would all feei a certain amount of regret. He felt sure of the concurrence of all present when he said that at no time in one's life was it a pleasant thing to say good-bye to a man who had endeared himself to his fellows by a long residence. That was the purpose for which those present had met this morning to bid good-bye to MrGrant and to present him wltha token of esteem from those amongst whom he had lived for upwards of twenty years. He(MrWard) had not been intimately acquainted with MrGrant for any length of time, but he knew that both in and out of the railway service ■ nothing but a good word for Mr Grant by those who had come into contact with that gentleman.— (Applause.) A Civil servant was, (of course, very much in the position of a soldier —he was liable to be. called upon to transfer himself to other places, and to submit to changes that personally he might not like, for reasons that to him did not seem easy to fathom. This was unavoidably so. The reasons for this particular removal he (Mr Ward) did not know, and could not surmise, further than this, which; might to some extent explain the matterthat it was probably considered necessary, now that changes were being made in the service, to give the North Island, where railway traffic was increasing apace, the benefit of a man who thoroughly understood the service—one of the older managers. When other changes were being made at a subsequent date, it was plain that many persoLs in Dunedin would hail with delight the retransference of Mr Grant to this portion of the colony should that be decided on. He had made hosts of friends here, and among them were a number who.tlesired to present him with the purse now before them, which contained between one and two hundred sovereigns. He had the pleasure of asking Mr Grant to accept the purse, and in doingso wished him every success in his new sphere,'—(Applause.) The Hon. T. Fergus said that Mr Grant came out as assistant to Mr Conyers, and on the resignation of that officer Mr Grant was offered the position of manager of the Otago railways, the offer being made by Mr Donald Reid and Dr Webster (on behalf of the Provincial Government), who recognised the extreme fitness of Mr Grant for the post. Speaking as a business man of some experience, he (Mr Fergus) could say that Mr Grant had during that long term of over twenty years succeeded in giving satisfaction to all the community.—(Applause.) It was recognised that Mr Grant was suffering some hardship by beiug transferred so suddenly, because he had ties to Otago which could not be rated by money value, and, further, he had sot up his home bere, and at the present iow rates of properties he might have some difficulty in disposing of his place to advantage. For many reasons, then, those present regretted his being sent away. It was possible, however, as had been said, that the exigencies of the service demanded the transference, and all they could do was to congratulate Auckland on getting a good servant and condole with Dunedin on losing him. All present and many who were unable to attend would heartily join in wishing Mr Grant God-speed and prosperity.—(Applause.) Mr Grant said: Mr Ward aud gentlemen,— Notice came so suddenly upon me, and I have had so many things to do, that I feel quite worried and upset. lurther, I airi not a good speaker at any time. But I am sure you will sympathise with me and take the will fqr tlje deed-—(Ap-plause.) If the' many hand-shakiugs and good wishes I have received during the week are to be taken as tokens of success m the future. I am sure that no man who has ever left Dunedin will be more prosperous. I really did not think, till this last day or two, that I had so many frieuds. I have friends here whose friendship will, I hope, last till I go to the grave. 1 shall never forget them. I am, however, going to a place that is not altogether strange to me. I was in Auckland for six months, and made many friends there, and I like the climate. I do not know, however, whether it will suit my wife and family. The doctor has advised me not to take Mrs Grant there at present, so I intend to let her remain here till the cool weather comes round. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your good wishes and the tangible and generous gift you have made me; also for the kind expressions Mr Ward, Mr Fergus, and'others have given utterance to. _ It does not fall to the lot of many men to receive the kindnesses which have been bestowed on mo. I feel highly honored indeed, and in saying good-byo my heart is full. — (Applause.) The proceedings closed with three cheers for Mr Grant and one for his wife, the cheers being led by Mr Ward.