DEPARTURE OF AN OLD RESIDENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 28 September 1907, Page 2

DEPARTURE OF AN OLD RESIDENT.

I'AREWELL TESTIMONIAL TO MR T. H. BANNEHR. The farewell testimonial to Mr T. H. Bannehr, for many years editor and one of the proprietors of the Nelsou "Colonist," now leaving for Christchurch, was made in the Municipal Chambers last evening. Mr H. Baigent (ex-Mayor) presided, and there was a repi-esentativc attendance. The Chairman, iv opening tho proceedings, said the gathering was to bid Farewell to and recognise the services oi' one who had been among them a number of years, and had been a worthy citizen, helping £ f na rt?ve * & p. ] m«jt' of seUlsmsnC In the district. It had beertthought that the best fol'ttt for | thß Usiihlollia! to take was an illuminated address and purse of sovereigns. !\lt- Bannehr, had associated himself closely witfi ihe Inland Cbmumeatkui League find the Chamber of. Commerce, a,nd othor :bodies, aiid he had ever been nn advocate of rad«*ny Extension, accompanying many deputations on the subject at his own expense. He hoped Mr Bannehr would be spared to see accomplished the railway extension ho had so long advocated. (Applause.) As a Vieo-President of the Inland Communication League, in the abserice e s f MiFell, the President, he (Mt Baiyisnt) had been askerl. to make the presentatioli, arid he did so. With great .pleasure,. (Applause.) JM? Bannehr had ako beeil President fot two years of ,ihe Chamber of Commercearid in connection With, that Association he would be greatly missed: Mr Bannehr had aJso been associated wjth the agitation -for the, Midland Main Trunk Line in the past, and had ever- been active in putting forward the claims of Nelson. As a member of the Scenery Preservation League, also, Mr Bannehr had assisted in preserving much of the native forest —in fact, to him and Mr Fell the preservation of much native bush in the district was due. Mr Bannehr had also been associated with the College as a Governor, and his colleagues woul <j fittingly recognise his services. He had also been connected with many other societies and bodies in the city and district. Finally, Mr Baigent acknowledged his strong friendship w.th Mr Bannehr and the kindness and consideration shown to him (Mr Baigent) while he was Mayor. (Applause.) Mr St. John, secretary to the testimonial Committee, read the address, which was beautifully illuminated by Mr and Mrs Topllss, and was as follows : — "To T. H. Bannehr, Esq., J-P---"Dear Mn. Bannehr,— "On your departure from Nelson we cannot let the occasion pass without plating on record our appreciation of your services to the city and district during your long connection with public affairs, as editor of the 'Colonist, and as a member of local societies and bodies, especially the Board of Governors of the Nelson College, the Nelson ( Chamber of Commerce, and the Inland Communication League. We recognise that you have devoted yourself wholeheartedly to promoting the important interests involved, and have set an example of good citizenship, which might be followed with advantage by all. With regard to other directions m which von have exercised usefulness: as a journalist you have done your best towards forwarding and advocating the progress of the city and district, during the many years of your connection with •The Colonist,' and you have fully earned a rest from the arduous labour and mental and bodily strain the conduct of a morning newspaper involves. "We ask, on behalf of the subscribers, your acceptance of the accompanying eift as an appreciation of your wortK, and trust that this address will ever remind you and yours of Nelson and the main* friends you leave there. "Wishing von, Mrs Bannehr, and family happiness, long life, and prosperity in your new home, and you and your sons "success in your business venture, „ „ , * we are, dear Mt Bannehr, '•yours very sincerely on behalf of the subscribers." (Here followed a number of representative signatures.) Mr Baigent then presented Mr bannehr with the address, and also handed to him a purse of sovereigns, amid applause, and said all earnestly desired that the recipient and his family would enjoy health, happiness and prospent}\ (Continued applause.) . Mr Snodgrass, senr-, paid a high tribute of esteem to Mrs Bannehr, wno, he said, would be greatly missed as a friend and counsellor, especially by the young ladies of Nelson. (Applause.) " Mr J- H. Cosk added his testimony to the expressions of goodwill towards Mr Bannehr, and said he felt a personal regret at the severance of close contact between him and Mr Bannehr He was now enjoying the sunshine ot life, after working 30 years in the night, while others slept. As a College Governor he had worked faithfully and well-none better, and for the past two years at least the work had been of a most exacting character. It was a great regret to him (Mr Cock) that Mr Bannehr was severing his ™nn<*t-tion with the Board. (App louse.) He hoped that Mr Bannehr and his family would I be able to spend many happy holidays here. (Applause.) Mr Porter Harris spoko of the self - ! denying work done hy Mr Bannehr m with the In.aiicl Conirncmicaliun League and the Chamber of Com 1 in »ive, and also bore testimony to Mi Bannehr's good fellowship as a companion. (Applause.) , Mr Percy Bond, represen '»g the "Colonist" proprietary, spoke feeling > of the relations of years between Mr Mr Bannehr and his partners, and tes tifiod to thehigh ideal o, journalism with which the "Colonist had been Nuclei (Applause.) The severance came as a great wrench ; but M Ban nehr had sought it himself, and his partner, themselves fully v . a PP re " al^ Ms reasons, and wished him and his Family long We and happmses and P ™r Maginnity said no paper in the j , olonv had been kept purer than the ■ "Colonist," and it could be read by delivered by Mess. A. A. L«« j iS^Eventng^air), Colin Camphril, Green. S. H. Strong, and exCouncillor Webley. Mr Bannehr, on rising to reply, , ie-,-eived an ovation. He said his doroinH.t filing was en. of gratitude to Cc who had deemed him worthy of he honour done him. He felt that more 'red it th.-.-t was his due had been done him, for f '-uid have achieved nothing without the co-operation and support" from his friends and his part new He and his partners had had a high 'ense of responsibility in journalism and in his ideal he had always received the loyal support of those associated with him. (Applause.) Mr Bannehr reviewed the work and efforts and penis of the early settlers, and said that the least the present generation could do was to follow up and complete what they had begun. He would have been entitled to blame and discredit had he done less than he had, connected as he had been with various local associations and movements, and hence he thought more credit had been given to him than he deserved But he thoroughly appreciated the kindness of heart and friendship that had dictated the presentation. (Applause-T He thanked them heartily for the honour done him Loud applause.) Three cheers for Mr and Mr. Bannehr and family, and a vote of thank, to the Chairman, and to Mr St. John as hon secretary to the Tes imomal Committee, brought the proceedings to a termination.