PRESENTATION TO MR. TENNENT.

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 April 1910, Page 1

PRESENTATION TO MR. TENNENT.

A GREYMOUTH NATIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

We are indebted to Mr John Jackson for the following report of a presentation to Mr Robert Tennent, a native of this district and brother to Messrs David and John Tennent, of Greymouth. :

At the ordinary monthly meeting of the Geruiistou branch of the South African Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association, an interesting ceremony took place.

This was a presentation of a very handsome silver tea and coffee service to Mr it. Tennent, who is the president of the parent association and secretary of the local branch. It was to him in his latter capacity, which he iias tilled for a number of years, that the presentation was made. *

Mr \V. Murray (chairman) presided and there was a »ood attendance. Tlie spokesman for the occasion was Mr Peter Whiteside M.L.A., general secretary of ihe association, who, in handing over the plate, said that he had been asked to undertake the task by tho members of the branch and had much pleasure in doing so, for it was an occasion on whicn he was able to make remarks suitable to the occasion in all sincerity. They wore all aware that the members of the branch had decided to make the presentation un account of the jtoman .service which Mr Tennent had done on behalf of he branch. His (.the speakers') own experience of Mr IVinont dateil back to tho tune when he iirst took over the duty of general secretary to the association. At that time Mr Tennent was secretary 01 the Boksburg branch and rendered tho general secretary's work so far as that branch was concerned, extremely haiin.mious. Some two or three years ago Mr Tennent entered the Gormiston district to take on work which would have appalled a good majiy men. He was in a disaffected district and had lo meet a disaffection which was dishonest and disloyal to tho best interests oi the engine men of the district. (Applause). He had to repel slander and lies wherever h went. The branch had dwindled down to vanishing point, but the mariner in which he had handled tho position v.;.s reflected to-day m the strength and

sound position ~{ the branch. (Applause). Of Course there was also credit due to the other official?, but they all knew how much success .>r failure depended on the branch secretary. Mr Tennent had the couiidenee of the members, and was sent to the Annual Council, and there again his Work was se respected that he was appointed President of the whole Association. (Continued applause). He was now ,>iily retiring from (hat position because the constitution of the Association prohibited one man from being pivsidotit for a longer period than two years. It. could fairly be said that tho greater part of the success which lite Association had met with had been duo to the manner in which Mr Tennent. had made lhe team j.-ull together. (Applause.) lie (the speaker) held the view that tie last vear had been the most memorable in the history of the Sucietv. A iv-

i.Mul of work had Jjf<.'ji accomplished of wliicli the provident might well fooi proud, and the position of (ho eitL'ineiiien had Hover been bettor < n rli>■ fields. (Applause.) How long ii reniaiiK'd v,, would <l< j>■ 'tul upon tlio men themselves. It' they adopted Ihe attitude of believing that everything was of ilo- heM in tlii.s very bos! of worlds thev woutil be Living in it fool's paradise, because ilu- more tlffvatit'mentis l In-;, mad-- i h ir posit ion on I lie Hand the more, attractive it. became to workmen in other parts of (he world, and Iho :< suit would be an illlltl.X from all over the world. (Hear, loan. The moral was if I hey in-n- to retain what they now held it roiiM . nly be done by the aid of every o'lginenian on the fields. It was useless to imagine that by putting the money down In pay ollicials the work ould be done It was the men who i-atii" into touch with colleagues in the ciiginc-i-ooins and failed in their duty to the Association by carrying on fln- good work then- who wen- traitors to their own immediate interests. lllear, hear.) They had four live hundred men n the fields . ligibl" f..r membership wlto had not joined tinAssociation, and it was only I v the lileiubi !-- taking a hale! in I lie :aiue and iiuhieine them to join that the \'-- i iation r mid rise to tin h ght st pitch of efficiency. (Applaa •■-.)

In conclusion. Mr Whites'de refer i.d in the fact thai Mr Toniioiit was a man j. d man and ! liat l lie ''.,'lllllll tee had thought 1! onlv fair (■.. give him W)!!li thing which would b< ,t u-'-v to his Wif/.. why ll'll.t lII'.- Sllif.-ivd e.-..i i..|, ,-. ably in I lie 1 ,111 -.- of the ,\ - ■ialimi h\ his repeated a' >•-■ in os from home 1 --iii li-c,-.f 11.■!-.■--:' i'v hv his work. Mr Whiteside ('hen handed 1 ht the silver services, the central piece of which bur,- the following inscription: "To Kobert Teniient, Esq., ,).!'. Willi the e-t.-i-ui ni his brother ■iiginomeii and in recognition of faiihfnl service." Mr J. .Jones added a few words of indorsement o| those uttered by Mr Whiteside, and remarked upon the fact the presentation fund had been initiated by Mr A. Johnston. Mr .1. Ci'iiickshatik also pointed out that several amounts had been sub scribed by members of other branches, to whom all thanks were due. (Hear, hear.) Mr Tellllenf returned thanks in a speech which was short but t.. th«> point. lie said that he found it easier tn speak when someone was kicking him than when someone was doing him a good turn. (Laughter.) Mr Whiteside had dealt largely with his (the speaker's) work, but none of it, could have been accomplished withount the support of the monibeis and had the work been left entirely to him the Germiston branch would no! be in the position it was in that day. The meeting concluded with tintoast, Mr Tennent's health an I pn.sporitv, and three hearty cheers.