PRESENTATION AT WOOLSTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6873, 10 March 1883, Page 5

PRESENTATION AT WOOLSTON.

A very pleasant social gathering took place lost evening in toe Oddfellow*’ Hall, Woolrtao, when a number of toe friends of Ur 3. ff, Davis. Ist® clerk and surveyor to th® Woolston Town Board, and an old raridsnt of thadbtriefe. mettogrthrato hid ton* genttemanfewwelloohb departure ins Taranaki, ftinl iltft to flrtttnft lifa with % mxßMWrto of to* «#!#*» £ which he i* held. A number «f

tables, taitefullr decorated with flowero and pot plants, and bearing an abundant supply ol liquors and light refreshments, were arranged In toe haU. About 40 gentlemen were present, and toe chair was occupied by Mr J. H. Hopkins, Chairman ot the Town Board, who wm supported on bis right by the guest of toe evening. Apologise were made for the unaveidable absence ol several gentlemen. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were drunk. The Chairman then proposed the health ot Mr Davis, and expressed his deep sense of the loss tot district wm about to sustain through toot gentleman's departure. Mr Davis had taken a most active part in all public movements in Woolston j and he thought that if there had been more men like him in toe die* triet, it would be further advanced than it was. While they were ell sorry to lose Hr Davis, they were no doubt glad that he was about to go to an appointment of an honourable wad remunerative character, which ho had gained solely on account of his professional ability, of which he (the Chairman) bad had experience, and which he could say was Al. He was sure they would all wish Mr Dari* success in his new home. Mr Hopkins then read the following address, a copy of which had been handsomely illuminated for presentation : ” To John William Davis, Kaq. “ Dear Sir,—Having heard with regret that you are about to leave this district for the North Island, we beg to present you with this acknowledgment of our appreciation of your many and repeated attentions to the furtherance and success of our local institutions and societies, in which yon have always taken a prominent and keen interest We request that yon will accept toe accompanying testimonial as a small memento of the respect and esteem in which you are held by your neighbours and friends In the district) end we desire to tender to yon our best wishes for the future welfare and prosperity of yourself and family. Wishing you long life and happiness. Signed by Committee on behalf of 61 anbsoribere. Woolston, March9,lßß3” Mr Hopkine then presented Mr Davit with a handsome watch, suitably inscribed. He then called on toe company to drink Mr Davis* health. The tout was drunk with musical honours and three times three, with one more for Mrs Davis, and still another for the little Davises. Mr Davis returned thanks in feeling terms for the very handsome present and the kind expression of opinion he had that night received. He felt deep regret at leaving a district where be had spent twenty years of his life. With regard to his having taken part in pnblio matters, he would say that it had been a pleasure for him to do so, was surrounded by men like Mr Hopkins, who helped in these matters with all the energy of their natures. He saw many old friends in the room, whom he was very sorry to leave. He could assure them that he would not forget them whore he wm going, and if ever he got a holiday he would run down to Canterbury to see them, when be hoped he wonld find them all well and prosperous. He begged to be excused from making a long epeeob, and would again thank them, on behalf of Mrs Davis as well m for himself. (Applause.) A number of other toasts were honoured, some capital songs sang, and altogether a very pleasant evening spent. Before the close Mr J. Richardson, on behalf of the Perseverance Lodge, 1.0.0.F..M.D., of which Mr Davis wm a member, presented that gentleman with a handsomely framed and illuminated certificate of membership, the receipt of which wm briefly acknowledged by Mr Davis.