GOOD-BYE, PERCY!

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1911, Page 3

GOOD-BYE, PERCY!

PRESENTATION*TO~THE POPULAR COMEDIAN. AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING. When he had concluded his last song at the Opera House last evening and when the applause had subsided, Mr. W. S. Percy said his farewell to Greyniouth and to Mr. Tom Pollard, who was for fourteen years his employer and teacher.

Air. Pollard accompanied Air. Percy on to the stage and in a bx-ief speeclx said good-bye to the comedian. Percy, he said, had joined him over twenty years ago as a little boy—he was still little, but was no longer a boy—and in that time they had always been close friends. Percy had always been loyal and conscientious. During the fourteen years they had been together in business there had never been any written agreement between himself and Percy, but there had never been any misunderstandings between them, and it was with great regret that he had to say farewell. Percy had been with J. C. Williamson for six years and had (attained a high position, but he was throwing it up to try his fortune in London.' He felt sure that Percy would succeed, because in Africa, where the audiences were mostly English people, he had been a great favourite. He felt sure that everybody in New Zealand would echo his words when he wished Percy God speed and every success in the Old Land. He would, however, advise Percy to return as soon as possible to New Zealand, which, after all, was the best place in the world. It was with great pleasure that he presented Percy with a small souvenir of his last appearance in Greymouth. It was only a small article but it represented the good wishes of a number of admiers of the little man.

Mr. Pollard then handed Mr. Percy a handsome gold medal inscribed with; “Kia Ora. Farewell to W. S. Percy bv Greymouth, March 23rd, 1911.” “ At the call of Mr. Pollard cheers were given for Mr. Percy and the audience, of its own accord, sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” after which more cheers were lustily given. Mr. Percy, when the cheers _ had ceased, said that he keenly appreciated the great reception Greymouth had given him and the words Mr. Pollard i had said about him. He had joined Pollard’s Liliputians as a boy and, with other children, had received sound training. It was to Mr. Pollard s teaching that he owed any success he had attained or would attain. Mr. Pollard had been a father to his company and in addition to teaching the business of acting, lie had taught them all the value of clean living. (Voices: Hear! Hear). It was Mr. Pollard’s training that had made men and women of the boys and girds who had now carried the names of Pollard into every part of the globe. Mr. Percy enumerated the names of many artists, now in big positions in England, America and Australia, who had been trained by Mr. Pollard. He then went on to say that Tom Pollard was known everywhere as a large hearted, straight man. Mr. Percy said that he was sorry to leave his old friends. He had always loved the dominion where everybody was so kind. The Coast had always had a reputation for great kindness, and he would always remember it. Since his arirval he had ruined his | digestion eating fourteen buns and drinking gallons of lemonade, hut he was prepared to do it again. He was pleased that Mr. Pollard was staying in Greymouth because he would he well looked after. Mr. Percy added that he would do his utmost - to make the people of New Zealand proud of him and to bring what additional glory he could to the name of Pollard. In his travels he would always remember the Coast and particularly the kind presentation that had been made him. Mr. Percy was again loudly cheered and had to sing another song before the i audience would let him go.