PRESENTATION TO THE LATE CHIEF STEWARD OF THE S.S. ARAWA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 19

PRESENTATION TO THE LATE CHIEF STEWARD OF THE S.S. ARAWA.

A pleasing ceremony took place on board the s.s. Arawaon Tuesday evening, when Mr Walter G. O. Johnston, late chief steward of that fine steamship, was presented by his assistants and the members of the victualling department with a testimonial in the shape of a very handsome marble clock on the occasion of his leaving the steamer to settle in business in Wellington. The presentation was made by Mr Row, chief purser, who said that they were met together to ask Mr Johnston to accept a slight token of their esteem and admiration when Darting with him. Mr Johnston had been connected with the Arawa since she had made her maiden trfp, and he had been popular not only with his fellowworkmen but also with all the passengers who had _ travelled in her. The clock would remind him of the many friends he had left behind him on the Arawa and who had the very best wishes for his future prosperity and for his success in his new undertaking. (Applause.) Mr Johnston, who spoke with much feeliDg, said that he could not find words to express his gratitude on the occasion. He did not expect a handsome presentation such as they had given him, but it would always be to him a memento of the happy time he had spent. He e xpressed his warm acknowledgment of the kindness shown toward him, and of the handsome gift. He was surethatinhandinghis charge over to Mr Cooper he was leaving it in the hands of one who would be as popular in future as, he was glad to find, he had been in the past, and whom he could only wish as much goodl luck as he had had. (Hearty and prolonged applause.) Mr Finny, refrigerating engineer, also spoke in highly eulogistic terms of Mr Johnston. His health was then drunk with musical honors, and the gathering dispersed. The clock was inscribed as follows :—“Presented to Walter G. O. Johnston, Esq., from the Victualling Department of the R.M.S. Arawa, on his retirement from sea.” While at Port Chalmers a presentation from the engineers of the steamer, consisting of a handsome case of carvers, was made to Mr Johnston by Mr Young, chief engineer. It should be mentioned that Mr George Cooper, who takes Mr Johnston’s place as chief steward, has been in the Arawa for the past eighteen months, and has during that time made himself thoroughly popular with all with whom he has come in contact.