PRESENTATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5635, 8 December 1879, Page 2

PRESENTATIONS.

We hive heard so much of lite of tbe unpleasant relations subsisting between olhcera and men in the mercantile marine, that the other side of tbe shield—the record of yood fellowship, and mutual respect ami esteem—is a very pleasaut change. On 11th .November agalhering took place on board the English ship Famenotb, when CapUiu Auld, of that vessel, in n neat speech, on behalf of the officers and crew, presented a ti no pi"ce to the third oilicer, Mr. Pilcher. as a smali token of respect, on his retirement from the Funenoth to settle in Auckland. A packet o' handsotuo silver spoons were a'so g'.ven ts Mrs. Pilehor. Mr. Pilcher returnee', his liearty thanks for the unexpected kin Inoss manifested towards him in appropriate terms. A very pleasing ceremony took place in the Driving Creek School, Corotnandel, on Thursday, November 20—viz , the preseutation of a beautiful album to Mrs. F.iithful, aasistant-teiclier, on her leaviug the district to tako charge of another schoal. It is vory evident that Mra. Faithfall hai made htr self loved by her pupils, and, when it became known t!iat she was about to leave, the children, one and all, subscribed their sixpsnees and shillings, and the result was the very beautiful book presented on Thursday. Oα the fly-leaf a short address was neatly inscribed, and signed by three each of the oldest boys and ijirls in the school. Mias Andrew, in presenting the book, said a few words, but completely broke down and wept, and the whole school wept in concert. In fact, there was scarcely a dry eye in the room. The master and committee were all

deeply affected. Mrs. Faithfull takes with her-the regrets and good wishes of.a'ver/y large section of the .inhabitants. A very intere3ting s gafcheriog of members of the Auckland branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers took place.on Nov. 28, in the club room of the United Service Hotel, in order to do honor to the retirement of thtir late secretary, Mr. Roycroft, who has for upwards of nine years filled that position with credit to himself and material benefit to the society. At the hour appointed the room was filled with membere, who sat down to an excellent old collation, to which full justice was done. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. Pye and tbe vice-chair by Mr. Hislop. After the removal of the cloth, the worthy chairman,in a few chosen, and loyal sentences, gave '-The Queen and the Royal Family," His Excelleucy Sir Hercules Robinson," &c. The chairman then referred to the object of their meeting, viz., to do honour to their late secretary, Mr. Roycroft, who had diligently officiated as secretary to the Auckland branch of the eociety for nine years. The presentation was then made. Mr. Roycroft feelingly acknowledged the presentation from his late co-workers, and referred to his long connection with the society and with the trade. The benefits of the society were then touched upon, and Mr. Ruycioft resumed hi 1 seat amid the mo-t fiiu.ully toksi.s of go.xl feeling. The fo.lowing is the copy <■( the illuminated address, which, was executed in 011 English by Mr Frank Hammond, in a very nest and nrtistic tnaun«r, the whole being surrounded by a haudsome ornamental border ; while under the heading is a pretty model, dne by pen and ink, of a self-acting eorow - cutting lathe, in itself a pretty picture : — " Amalgamated >oeiety of Engineers, Auckland Urauoli, So. 355. — Mr. Fraucii Roycroft. — D.-ar Sir and Brother,—On die occasion of your resigning the office of Secretary of tliis Branch, which you have held for so many year 3, to its entire srtisfactiou, we, tho undersigned, on behalf of the branch, desire thus to place on record the veiy high estimation in which they hold you, not only as a painstaking aud euergetic oliijer of the branch and a worKman, Dut as a most g-Miial aid hearty coinuauion. While regr. ttim; thit circumstances should have arisen to make your resignation necessary, they h.>pe that the new sphere of life into which jon have now entered, may be prosperous b.yond your moat tanguine expectations. —James Pye, Chairman; KICIIARD FOHTKIi, Secretary. Auckland, November 23, 1579."