PRESENTATION TO MR L. VON ROTTER.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXVII, Issue 4473, 21 December 1882, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR L. VON ROTTER.

Although Mr Von Rotter only yesterday handed over the control of the Post Office to his successor (Mr Hugh Calders), and is to leave Greymouth by the MsihU napua this morning, his friends were determined that he should not go away without Borne slight recognition from the business community of Greymouth. Accordingly about 30 gentlemen met at Gilmer's Hotel last evening at 8 o'clock, his Worship the Mayor taking the chair. Amongat those present were — Messrs D. M'Lean, Nancarrow, Litchfield, Bristow, Clap per ton, W. D. Kerr, Lecky, Thomas, G. W. Mos*, A. Matheson, A. R. Guiui nese, fl. Calders, J. G. Wood, Furby, Konayne*

The Mayor expressed the regret felt by himself and the community generally at his departure from amongst them. During his stay here Mr Von Rotter bad given the greatest possible satisfaction to all classes of the community, having always shown a desire to study the convenience of the public. He had been preceded by three gentlemen, all of whom had also been very obliging. One, Mr M'Beath, had been here 13 years, and was much liked and respected ; while Mr Shrimpton had been here about two years before Mr Von Rotter's arrival. It was a matter for sincere regret that the exigencies of the service made such a change necessary ; and he only hoped he might soon fall into something better, and that prosperity would attend him wherever he might go. On closing his remarks the Mayor presented Mr Von Rotter with a substantial token of the respect and goodwill of the people of Greymouth by presenting him with a purse of sovereigns. Mr Von Rotter replied in feeling terms. It wa3 with extreme regret that he was I leaving Greymouth. Ever since he had been here he had met with the most unqualified kindnes3 and consideration. He never experienced the slightest difficulty in dealing with the public or any member of it in his official capacity. He had come to like the place and the people so much that he had hoped to be able to remain here some considerable time, and therefore the action taken by Government in his case came upon him as an unpleasant surprise and quite upset all his little plans and calculations. He hoped, however, to succeed in doing something for himself where he was going. Now that he was going away he would like to ask, on behalf of his successor, the like courtesy that had always been accorded to him; and he entertained no doubt whatever that if Mr Calders was not too much Influenced by redtapeism and always kept before him the efficiency of his department together with the convenience of the public, he could not fail to reap the good effects of it and get on smoothly and harmoniously. • Mr Von Rotter's health wa3 then drunk in brimming bumpers with " three timeß three " and " He's a jolly good follow," coupled with best wishes for Mrs Von Rotter and the family. Mr Von Rotter leaves in the Mahinapua by this morning's tide. In consequence of his departure being so very hurried, the affair was not so extensive as would have been the case had there been a little more time, many leading townsmen not being aware of Mr Von Rotter's departure or the intended presentation.