VALEDICTORY

Grey River Argus, 19 October 1915, Page 6

VALEDICTORY

FAREWELL TO MR G. S. COLLYNS.

At Reving-ton's Hotel yesterday evening- a representative gatheringunder the. aeg-is of the Mayor foregathered to bid farewell to our esteemed townsman, Mr ' Guy S. Collyns, on the occasion of his departure to Avondale, where he assumes a lieutenancy in the Tunnelling Corps. Amongst those present were: — Messrs J. D. Gillies (Harbour Board Engineer), W. J. O'Donnell (Town Engineer), Joseph ' McLean, J.P., F. H. Denton (Town Clerk), C. F. A. Broad, J.P.. R.H . . Richmond', Jas., McKay, B. J. Phillips and Thos. Learmont. Apologies for absence were received from!" Messrs F. H. Kilgour J.P., D. J. McKay, G. T. Grace, J. Greenslade. W. Parfitt, C. H. Rose, P. Beck, P. C. Heaphy, ?. J." Johnston, A. Beban. G. Broad and W. Bennington, who regretted their inability to be present. The Mayor in expressing his appreciation of the representative gathering present said that the numbers reflected the. high appreciation in which their guest was held by the public of Greymouth, and that it was their pleasure to pay tribute to a man of Mr Collyns* sterling Avorth, and indisputed professional ability, and he congratulated him on the public spirit which animated his desire to enlist, and the country on obtaining the services of so practical an engineer, and he sincerely hoped he would be afForded an opportunity of displaying his ability to the discomfiture of our enemies, and tha,t he would return to New Zealand with greater experience to continue in the profession he has so ably prosecuted. Mr J. D. Gillies spoke in high terms of their guest's professional ability, and having known him ever since coming to Gveymouth was pleased to see that one of their fraternity had given his services to the cause of Empire and was sure he would distinguish himself in the sphere of work he had so gamely undertaken. Messrs W. J. O'Donnell and Jas. McKay, on behalf ot the profession, supported Mr Gillies in wishing him a safe return, and the latter said that men of Collyns' type and ability toolsome finding, and added: "you have the initiative go on with it, you will be a credit to our Dominion and the armies that will be victorious." In voicing the feelings of the mining community who were so dependent upon the services of a competent surveyor Mr W. A. Rundle regretted Mr Collyns departure, but could not speak too highly of the spirit that actuated his enlistment, and was satisfied he would acquit himself with honour to himself and credit to his profession. In happy vein, Mr C. F. A. Broad, dwelt on the spontaneous appreciation of our guest that had brought so many together, and congratulated Mr Collyns in being the first professional man to leave Greymouth in answer to the appeal that had been made by the statesmen of England, and hoped that his good example would stimulate others who had less — materially — to detain them thar. the. guest of the evening, and trusted that his obvious sacrifice would not be lost on those who were still dissembling with themselves. Several other speakers follomed in similar vein, and congratulated the country in having the offer of the services of a man which it was to the Dominion's interest to retain here — a clever engineer, an athlete of no mean record, a man of untiring energy and endurance who had made good in every branch he had undertaken was a type the Dominion could ill afford to sacrifice. Mr Collyns, who was received with applause, said he was merely going to do his bit, feeling that every man who could, should go. He had "got the call," and it was "his honour to accept the invitation." He thanked those present for their opportune gifts and too flattering remarks, which would always remind him of the kindly spirit that had appealed to him so much since he first struck the Coast, and hoped to be amongst them all again.