Presentation.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6626, 19 February 1900, Page 4

Presentation.

There was a large gathering of railway employees at the Palmerston Bailway St»tion on Saturday, to make a presentation to Mr H. Stevens, who has just retired from the position of driver on the Foxton section, to take up a farm at Kairanga. Mr Scoit, locomotive fore- : man, presided, and in a brief eulogistic speech presented Mr £L S-. evens with a silver teapot, biscuit barrel and eggstand, on behalf of the railway employees. Mr T. Wilson referred in complimentary terms to the good feeling existing between Mr Stevens and his fellow workmen, and said he had been a faithful servant to the Government during the 25 years he had been on the line. He had always found him obliging, thoughtful and good tempered, and everyone spoke in the highest terms of their association with him. Mr Bucban expressed his regret at losing Mr Stevens as a fellow-employee, and endorsed all Mr Wilson had said. He was glad to know tbat Mr Stevens had put by sufficient to enable him to maintain his family comfortably in their new location and thought it was an example young iolk could well imitate. Mr Morton, who had acted as guard with Mr Stevens for some years past, spoke highly of his experience of him and his work, and said no one could wish to be with a better man. He wished both Mr and Mrs Stevens a long life and a happy one. Mr Hopkirk, who had been fireman with Me Stevens, said that already he was greatly missed on the line and almost every inhabitant, from six years old upwards, wanted to know whaf had become of " Harry." He never wished to work with a better mate and regretted tbat he had severed his connection with the department. Mr Eobertaon added his testimony as to the merits of their comrade. Mr Fred. Pirani, M.H.E., said that as an outsider, although he hoped, not an interloper, he desired to add a token to the general presentation, as a mark of the esteem with which he held Mr Stevens during fifteen years' acquaintance. He had given up the fire not for the sword, but tbe ploughshare, and as a pen would be useful now and again he had much/.fjleasure in presenting Mr Stevens ■' \fsh an inkstand and pen. holder.'l Mr Pirani said he had never driven a-'locomotive, although he had run a stationary engine very often, but he had travelled on an engine many a tiaie, and he thought any man who endured that life day in and day out .for 25 years, deserved more consideration from the State than he got. IE the railway men did their duty to themselves they would see that some pent-ion or retiring allowance scheme, which did not' bear hardly on individuals was initiated I by the Government of the day. He concluded by expressing his high ■ opinion of Mr Stevens and wishing Mr I and Mrs Stevens every happiness ia ' their new home. Mr Stevens, who was considerably affected, thanked them on behalf of his wife and himself, for the great kindness shown to him and the many good words '

said. Although leaving tbfc railway service his heart would/"'J&a be with them, and he hoped thVjP*ould not forget his existence when theae was any heed for assistance, His dealings with those in the service had always been of the pleasantest character, aA>d he was proud of the goqd feeling Jnariifested towards him by everyone. < Ohoers were then given f/or Mr and Mis Stevens and the gathering dispersed.