Presentation to Capt. Kennedy

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4023, 27 October 1931, Page 4

Presentation to Capt. Kennedy

A representative body of town and country people assembled in the Goun- ■ oil Chambers on Friday evening last. to do honour to Capt. J. Kennedy, I who has just retired from the Lane j AVakatipu Service on superannuation. Owing to another fixture on the same evening several were unable to be | present and a big list of apologies I was received. His Worship the Mayor (W. H. Overton, Esq.), occupied the chair and on liis right sat the guest of the evening. The toast list was ■ a lengthy one and the arrangements were in the capable hands of Mr T. F. Malaghan. After the loyal toast had been honoured, the chairman proposed the principal toast of the evening, namely, “Captain John Kennedy.” In doing so, he said that the present function was held to do honour to Capt. Kennedy, who had just retired from the Lake Wakatipu steamers on superannuation after 30 years' service. It was therefore only fitting that the public should show their appreciation of this fact. In his capacity of master on the lake steamers Captain Kennedy naturally became associated with visitors from all parts of the world and it was desir,sliable, in the interests of the service and the district, that he show them the attention due them in their comings and goings on the lake as well as supply the multifarious particulars invariably sought at his hands. In this respect it would be conceded that Capt. Kennedy had admirably filled this role. Their guest, had, moreover, been very solicitous of the wants of the people of the district in more ways than one. Whenever occasion warranted it he would facilitate the despatch of any particular cargo which might be lying at Kingston. Owing to the nature of his engagements, Capt. Kennedy was unable to take an active part in local affairs, but he always showed an interest in anything that was for the good of the town. He wished Captain and Mrs Kennedy many years of health and prosperity. Mr P. Reid said he had known Capt. Kennedy since he came to the district. In the transport of produce and stock across the lake Capt. Kennedy had always looked after the interests of farmers and extended them every courtesy. The speaker travelled over the lake frequently and he could say from experience that Capt. Kennedy had shown every courtesy to passengeivs. Ho made made himself known to everyone and helped to make the stay of visitors enjoyable. He appeared to get on well with the crews and expedited the loading of the vessels under hie charge. The speaker regretted that their guest had arrived at retiring age, but he wished Capt. Kennedy and his wife the best of good luck and health in the remaining years of their lives. Mr Jas. Burnett said ho had been associated with Capt. Kennedy lor 20 years and could safely say he had never met kinder or more genuine friends than Capt. or Airs Kennedy. Air D. H. Cockburn endorsed the remarks of Air P. Reid in regard to transport of farm produce, etc. across the lake. He, too, had travelled over the lake a good deal and Capt Kennedy was the ‘‘man at the wheel” on most occasions. He had shown the greatest respect and conside ration for the farmers. Dr. Anderson also spoke of Capt. Kennedy’s unfailing courtesy to trailers on the Lake steamers; he was ever ready to perforin an obligement and anticipate the wants of passengers. Dr Anderson referred bo Capt. Kennedy’s interest in the local branch of St. John’s Ambulance Association. He had been president for 10 or 11 years and still held this office. He hoped that the Association would again become a live body in their 'midst. He wished the Kennedy's long life and happiness in their retirement. Air A. Sims on said one of the saddest expressions in the English language was “Never more.” He applied these words to Capt. Kennedy's retirement. There was always a feeling of regret or sadness when those of the older generation took their departure from the district, laid down their duties or passed away. He wished to say also that he regretted that the time had come for Capt. Kennedy to give up his vocation. He agreed with other speakers that their guest showed every kindness to travellers. Capt. Herbert, 0.1.C., Steamer Service, spoke of Capt. Kennedy as a most efficient officer. The service had bad strenuous times on the lake; a tremendous quantity of machinery and many miles of pipes, etc. had been transported from Kingston without mishap. Long hours were worked and if any early start was necessary Capt. Kennedy was alwdys up to time. His genial manner, together with his capabilities, contributed to the smoothness with which the work was carried out. He regretted that Capt. Kennedy had to retire, and if it had not been for the financial depression he might have carried on for some years yet. Ho was sure that Capt. Kennedy would be much missed on the lake by travellers, many of whom had spoken in complimentary terms of his officership. Other speakers were Alessrs R. J. A. AlcConville and C. AL Inglis. The chairman then handed Capt. Kennedy a gold watch bearing the inscription “Presented to Captain J. Kennedy by his Wakatipu friends, Oct., 1931." and for Airs Kennedy a travelling rug, as tangible tokens of Hie esteem in which they wore held. The toast was drunk with musical honours.

In replying Capt. Kennedy expressed his sincere thanks to the. various speakers lor their kind rdmarks and for the handsome presentation to himself and Mrs Kennedy., Anything he had done in the interests of travellers and clients in the ymrking of ships he considered to be only life duty to the Department and the public. He and Mrs Kennedy would carry away with them the happiest recollect ions of the kindly treatment niched out to them by the Wakatipu people. He wished to thank specially the committee which had organised the gathering. Other toasts were ‘‘Shipping Interests,” proposed by Mr P. Reid, responded to by Captain Herbert;,

“Tourist Resorts/’ proposed by Mr D. F. Murchison, responded to by Mr A. Simson; “Local Bodies,’’ proposed by Dr. Anderson, responded to by Messrs J. Cockburn, P. Reid and W. H. Overton; “The Chairman,” proposed by Mr P. Reid and “The Organiser, Mr T. F. Malaghan,” proposed by the Chairman and responded to by Mr Malaghan. In adding the latter toast to the list, the Chairman said that the bulk of the work in connection with the presentation hid fallen on Mr Malaghan, and he had carried out his duties most creditably. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought a very pleasant function to its conclusion.