PRESENTATION TO MR R. C. TENNENT.

Evening Star, Issue 9915, 29 January 1896, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR R. C. TENNENT.

.At Messrs Stout, Mondy; and Sim's -office this morning a number of diet'to 1 tnake a presentation to Mr R. C. Tegnejir; Accountant in the Bank of Mew WilesJ , jyhoj has been 4sojntbd to ijiaiUge tb i' bank's branch at Tinwru. There'-were present Dr Batehelor, Messrs J. B. Cdlan (who presided), F. J. Townsend, C. B. Grierson, M. G. Pascoe, F. R. Chapman, J. R Sinclair, J. M. Gallaway, W. A. Bim, J. Moloney (W. Scoular and Oo ), D. Baxterj W. F. E Imond, G. R. Hercus (Ross *nd Glendining), and J. D. Dunne (Wright, Stephenson, and Co.). The Hon. W. J. Mi Larnach, writing in apology for his nonattendance, s«d he was pleased at being given the opportunity of participating in the friendly presentation proposed to be made to his brother banker, Mr Tranent As one of the family of that order, and as an old New South Wales officer, he had pleasure in enclosing his mite as an earnest of his regard for Mr Tennent and for his future prosperity. Mr A. Mfehie, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, also forwarded an apology for bis absence, and added that Mr Tennent left Dunedin with the best wishes of his brother bankers. Messrs A. Matheson (m mager of the Mutual Agency Company) an I H. S. Jones (P. Hayman and Co.) also sent letters of apology for their nonattendance and the absence of Dr Ogston aud Mr Ronikkon (of tie National Bank) Wis apologised for by Mr Pascoe. =' The ( haikman said that a few of Mr Tennent's friends, hearing he was about tp bo | re noved from Dunedin, determined that be J should not be allowed to leave without some token of their rcg-urd, and they had m:t that morning to show to Mr Tennent the esteem in which he was held. Of the gentleman who had initiated the presentation, some of them had known-Mr Tennent in connection with business, others in connection with the Dunedin Parliamentary Union, and others in Connection with the Ofcigo Lawn Tennis Club, In mentioning the last-named fact, he might say he thought it a good thing that a man who had passed the meridian of life should still take an interest in some form of innocent physical, healthy exercise. It was a good example for younger people, and for the man himself it was desirable that he should not allow himself to be so immersed in business as not to be able to take a part in come of the amusements going on around him. Some of the gentlemen connected with the presentation had known Mr Tennent in the intercourse of private life, but in whatever way those who had initiated the movement bad known him they all regretted that the ties which had been formed with him were about to be broken. The speaker himself had known Mr Tennent chiefly in connection with the Parliamentary Union, and he could not help saying that it did not often happen that a banker took an active part in political matters. However, the banking legislation which had recently been passed concerning some of our banks might alter that state of affairs.—(Laughter.) There was no reason that he knew why a banker should not also be a clever politician. In mentioning the Parliamentary Union, he thought he voiced the unanimous opinion of the members of that institution when he said that Mr Tennent's loss would be very much felt, for he was its chief mainstay. He was always ready to fill a gap to keep a discussion going, and he was uodoubtedly very popular amoDg the meriibers. The speaker then handed Mr Tennent a purse of sovereigns as a mark of regard of some of his friends, aud as proof that he had; during his residence in Dunedin, earned the esteem and respect of a great number of the citizens. He wished Mr Tennent every success and prosperity in his new sphere of life. In reply, Mr Tessest said he was quite taken aback by the presentation that had been made to him. He was a comparative stranger, as it was only five years ago that he came to Dunedin, and if he had been successful in meeting with the goodwill of the clients of the bank, the members of the Parliamentary Union, and members of the Tennis Club he was very pleased indeed. It had given him pleasure to know them, Never having lived in a Scottish community, he did not know before he came here the kindness of the hearts of the people; but since he had been in Dunedin he had met with the greatest kindness, and within the period of his residence in the City he had formed some of the warmest friendships of the whole course of his life. During his residence in Dunedin he had enjoyed the very pretty walks about the City, and he did not think the people here knew e,i well as they might what beautiful scenery they had. He again thanked his friends for the kindness they had shown him und for the wiy they had met to wish him good-bye. It would be hiß family's opinion, as well as his own, that they had done him a great deal of honor.—(Applause.)