BIRTHDAY HONOURS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 101, 26 March 1927, Page 10

BIRTHDAY HONOURS.

MB HUGH GILLIES. A large number of friends from the Wanganui, Taranaki, Bangitikei and Manawa.tu districts assembled at “Edinkiilie Park,” Palmerston North, on Tuesday evening last to wish Mr Hugh Gillies many happy returps of his 75th birthday. It was a very happy party which sat down to do justice to the good things provided, and the toast of the evening “Our Host and Hostess,” was eloquently proposed by Messrs T. A. Duncan and Ewen Campbell, who referred in sincere terms to Mr Gillies’ many good .qualities which had won for him the respect and esteem of all. Many of the older settlers, said the speakers, would remember the days when Mr Gillies, then quite a young man, represented the old firm of Gear and Ling, fat stock buyers, whose operations extended on this coast from Wellington to New Plymouth. In those days long journeys had to be made on horseback, unbridged rivers had to be forded, whether in flood or not, and it is still remembered that if Mr Gillies had made an appointment for a certain day and hour to purchase stock from a farmer, he always arrived up to time, no matter what the distance or weather conditions were. Afterwards the firm of Gear and Ling was merged into the present Gear Meat Company, and Mr Gillies was appointed as their representative on this coast, and with the advent of freezing works his time was fully occupied. To his kindly help and advice,. many farmers on this coast were pleased to testify. Mr Gillies was well-known as a keen sportsman who stood for everything that was best in sport. He was one of the best judges of horses in the show rings in New Zealand and his services were greatly in demand. He was a magnetic personality, and to know him was a privilege and a pleasure. He was one of that band of indomitable pioneers who, by their energy and the will to succeed, in spite of all adversities, had won through and made good. Mr Campbell, on behalf of those present, presented Mr Gillies with a silver inkstand suitably inscribed. In replying Mr Gillies thanked those present for kindly references to himself, and in reminiscent mood he referred to his early days in the Wairarapa and Manawatu districts, and the hardships the early settlers had to undergo. It gave himself and Mrs Gillies great pleasure to have so many friends with tnem that evening. During the evening a large number of letters and telegrams were read from friends in all parts of New Zealand wishing Mr Gillies many happy returns. The toast of the hostess, Mrs Gillies, was enthusiastically received, and the generous hospitality at all times bestowed upon visitors to “Edinkiilie Park” was specially referred to. Among those present were Messrs Ewen Campbell, Dr Douglas Wilson, Harry Wilson, J. Harold, Walter Williams, A. Bailey, T. A. Duncan, James Hull James McKelvie, H. Lewis,. C. G. Russell, Chas. Wilson, D. Campbell, , H M. Speed, W, S. Glenn, M.P R. Trotter, H. J. Duigan, Cave, James Craig. H. Zeisler, H. Hole, R. McKnight and R. A. McKenzie. Other toasts honoured were: The King,” proposed by Mr E. Campbell; “Parliament,” proposed by Mr T. Trotter and replied to by Mr Glenn, p “Wanganui guests,” proposed bv Mr Gillies and replied to by Rlr H. Wilson and Dr. Wilson; “Hawera Quests ” proposed by the host and rehv Messrs Williams and A. ff-ient friends,” proposed by Ch’afc VssoU ; “Palmerston guests

and friends,” proposed by Mr Duigan and replied to by Messrs R. McKnight and R. A. McKenzie; “the ladies,” proposed by Mr Zeisler and responded to by Mrs _ Mrs Gillies and Mr C. Wilson. During the evening Messrs Hole, Tfiotter, Glenn, T. Duncan, McKelvie and Duigan gave a haka in their inimitable style. A very pleasant evening was spent by those present who revelled in reminiscences of the early days-