DEPARTURE OF MR. JOHN ROSS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7898, 17 March 1887, Page 5

DEPARTURE OF MR. JOHN ROSS.

- ♦ Among the passengers by the s.a. Wairarapa to-day, for Dunedin, is Mr. John Ross (of Sargood, Ewen, and Co.) and family. He proceeds to Dunedin in order to take the management of the firm's operations in that city, and will bear away with him the best wishes of the community for his future pros perity and happiness. It was not to be expected that a man so popular, and so generally esteemed, would be permitted to remove from our midst without receiving some manifestation of the respect and esteem in which he is held. Yesterday afternoon the employees of Sargood, Ewen, and Co. presented Him with a handsome photographic shield, containing their portraits. (] n the top of the shield, in centre, is a portrait of Mr. John Ross, flanked respectively by those of Mr. Finlayson and Mr. Collier. On the left side of the shield is a fern tree, and on the right a specimen of native flax. The design of the shield was executed by Mr. C. Palmer, the photographing by Mr. Hanna, and the framing by Mr. Seuffert. Mr. Finlayson presented the shield, on behalf of the employes, to Mr. Ross, in a neat and appropriate speech, in which he referred to the kindly relations which had always existed between Mr. Ross and the staff, and their deep regret at hie parting from them. He desired to convey their best wishes for his future prosperity. Mr. Ross replied in suitable terms, exhorting the young men to habits of industry, thrift, and self-improvement, so as to enable them to rise to positions of honour and profit, as many of the young men he had left in Dunedin had don"«. He wished them all goodbye, and every success in after life. The second presentation took place in the strangers' room of the Auckland C'iub, where a number of Mr. Ross's friends gathered yes terday afternoon, in order to present him with * small token of their personal regard for him as a man and a oitizen. The gift took the form of a solid silver salver. Mr. Mr. D. J. MoLeod made the presentation in ■ few feeling remarks, expressive of the esteem in which Mr. Ross was held by his fellow-citizens. He also referred to the active part he had taken in various social and commercial questions, and the regret experienced at his departure from our midst. Mr. Koss thanked the friends present for their unexpected gift. He had every confidence in the future prosperity of Auckland, and although leaving them, his interests, pecuniarily and otherwise, would not in the slightest degree be diminished. He had succeeded in building up a good business here, and he now left it in good hands, having no misgivings as to the future. When he contemplated the great reiourceß of the province of Auckland, he had no fear as to the future prosperity of either the city of Auckland or of the province. Mr. Graves Aicken, in a few remarks, referred to the departure of Mrs. Ross and family. All who had had the pleasure of her acquaintance recognised and appreciated her social and personal qualities. In acts of unostentatious benevolence she occupied the foremost rank. Mr. Ross replied on behalf of Mrs. Ross. Mr. J. P. Campbell, in a humorous speech, referred to the departure of the family, and Mr. Ross replied in appro- | priate terms; again wishing them all eood 1 bye, and God-speed. Mr. W. Aitken, in a : few happy remarks, expressed his agremeent with Mr. Ross as to the assured future pros- - perity of Auckland. All that was required was to put their shoulders to the wheel. The health of Mr. Ross was then drunk in bumpers of champagne, and the company