VISITING ENGINEER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 July 1936, Page 2

VISITING ENGINEER.

FAREWELL PRESENTATION. Sent out by liis firm as an expert engineer to supervise the installation of the two Diesel engines for tho Palmerston North City Council’s generating plant, Mr J. W. V right, of British Auxiliaries, Ltd., Scotland, who is about to return home, was farewelled on Saturday evening at a social gathering arranged by the electrical staff and other representatives of the council. Mr J. Hodgens, M.P., chairman of the electrical committee, presided and apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford), also Mr Cuttcn (engineer in charge of the power station and gasworks). The following toasts were honoured; “The King” (Mr. Hodgens), “The Guest of the Evening” (Mr Mmr), “The City Council” (Mr Stewart), “Other Departments” (Messrs Cantlon and Hansen), “Comrades on Night Staff” (Messrs Niven and Stidolph). _ Mr J. W. Muir (city electrical engineer), on behalf of the staff which had been associated with Mr Wright, presented him with a travelling rug and a silver cake fork with greenstone handle for Mrs Wright. In making the presentation Mr Muir highly eulogised Mr Wright’s qualities. He hoped the token would serve to remind Mr Wright for many years of his brief associations in New Zealand.

Endorsing these sentiments, Mr S. Stidolph (second engineer at the powerstation) said it had been a pleasure to work so harmoniously with Mr Wright. Returning thanks, Mr IV right said that it had been a pleasure to work with the staff and he wished specially to mention the kindnesses of Messrs Muir, Cutten and Niven and Mr and Mrs McDonald. He had never had so many kindnesses showered on him as by the people with whom he had come in contact in New- Zealand. During the past week he had had the opportunity’ of taking a litrried tour through the North Island and in his opinion Neiv Zealand was a great country. Ho had travelled all over Scotland and knew every road, but the views to he obtained between Taupo and Napier were the finest lie had ever seen. Mr Wright concluded by assuring all present that he would not lot get New Zealand and the friendship which had been extended to him. Items were contributed by the following:—Messrs Baker and Daly, songs and duets with ukulele accompaniment ; Mr H. Spencer, musical items; Messrs Niven and Brown, Scottish solos nnd duets. Mr Baker, by special request, sang a number of Maori songs

The evening concluded with a vote'of thanks to the social committee, Messrs Aitken, Stedman, and Broughton, and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”