VALEDICTORY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 63, 15 March 1906, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

FAREWELLING MR RENNER

Mr G. Renner, who has retired from the editorship of the Era, left Pahiatua for Ivaikoura on Saturday. Before his departure there was a goodly gathering of friends at the Era Office, aa hen a silver inkstand and an address were presented to him. Mr R. B. Ross, M.H.R., made the piesentation,and, in a graceful speech, referred to the eminent services Mr Renner had rendered to the Liberal Party since his arrival in .Pahiatua, attributing his own success at the polls in a large measure to his (Mr Renner's) efforts. They all regretted that private family affairs had rendered Mr Rentier's return to Ivaikoura necessary, and assured him of the good wishes of his Pahiatua friends. (Applause). Mr Ross then handed the inkstand —a really handsome piece of workmanship, supplied by Mr Bee—to Mr Renner, and read the following address, which is to be illuminated:—

To George Renner, Esq., J.P. Dear Sir, —Your many friends in this district feel that they cannot allow the occasion of your departure to pass without placing upon record an expression of their esteem and regard for you person ally, and an appreciation of tho courage, and ability you have displayed in the establishment and conduct of the Pahiatua Era. At the time when-you came amongst us the Liberal Paj'ty of this electorate were suffering from a temporary defeat,and we feel sure "that ifc was in a large measure due to your efforts that this defeat was converted into a glorious victory on the 6th,of December last. It is not, however;: s&P a- great;fighter m the Liberal cause, alone, that we shall remember" you, but to each one of us you have been a personal friend,whose sterling qualities, kindness and geniality have endeared you to all, and we can assure you that you will be greatly missed. In presenting you with this address, and the accompanying silver inkstand,we express the hope that you will, in the future, meet with the full measure of success that the energy, tact and ability you have always displayed, deserves. In conclusion, we trust that you and Mrs Renner have many happy years before you, and we assure you that wherever you may be you will at all times have our sincere good wishes. Kai Ora ! Pahiatua, lpfh March, J9OC

Several others present also spoke, eulogising Mr Renner for the energy he had displayed in the conduct of the Era and for his unfailing courtesy, some of the speakers animadverting very strongly on the untruthful statement published in a Woodville contemporary as to the reasons of Mr Renner's departure. Mr Renner replied in feeling terms. Tho presentation, he said, was utterly unexpected, as he had only been hero 12 months, and he felt that he did not deserve all the kind things that had been said of him, but he was much gratified that the little he had been able to do had been so handsomely appreciated. He had hoped to t have spent two years in Pahiatua, hu\ Mrs Renner's health would not permit of her removal to a colder climate,and his first duty'was- to her. He felt glad that lie had bee finable, to establish the Era, and thought that for its age ithad achieved wonders, and -if adequately supported he was sure it must go ahead. He was pleased to think that under his administration the Era had always been a clean paper. Even his bitterest enemies could not deny that. (Applause.) He had enjoyed his stay in Pahiatua, where he had made many friends and few enemies, and he felt tho parting keenly. The handsome present he had received and the address would serve to remind him of Pahiatua. He would like to say more in the way of thanks, but their kindness had fairly beaten him.

Subsequently Mr Ranner was presented by the staff of the " Era " with a handsome silver-mounted pocket wallet. Mr E. Darley, who made the presentation, spoke hi feeling terms of the respect Mr Renner was held in by tho whole staff. They were sorry to lose him, pnd wished him well wherever he went.

Mr Renner, in reply, thanked them for their present and their good wishes. He was sorry to part with them. Everyone on the staff had worked loyally in the interests of the paper, and had considerably lightoned his burden. Mr Renner then shook hands all round and departed amidst a chorus of good wishes. Mr llenner loft Pahiatua by tho afternoon train for Wellington, and proceeds to Kaikoura to-day via Blenheim. Although he has retired from the editorship and management, Mr Renner still retains a considerable interest in this journal, and we need hardly state that the statements published, in the Woodville "Examiner" ancnt his retirement have no foundation in fact.^Pahiatua "Era."