PRESENTATION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1510, 7 February 1901, Page 35

PRESENTATION

MR CHARLES WILSON ENTERTAINED.

Mr Charles Wilson, formerly editor of the “ New Zealand Mail/' who was recently appointed Parliamentary Librarian, was entertained by the literary staff of the “New Zealand Times" at a progressive euchre party in the Federal Theatre on the 4th, and during the evening was presented with mementoes of his connection with journalism. Over one hundred guests were present, among whom were the Hons W. C. Walker and JT. Carroll, Messrs Martin Kennedy, T. Kennedy Macdonald, D. M. Luckie, J . B. Harcourt, John Holmes, J. A. Plimmer, F. W. Havbittle and several other prominent citizens.

During an interval, Mr J. L. Kelly called upon Mr Martin Kennedy, as managing director of the •'•Times'’ Company, to present Mr Wilson with a handsome silver tea service. Mr Kelly read an apology from the Hons J. G. Ward, Hall-Jones and Mills, Mr Harold Beauchamp, Mr It. C. Kirk (Mayor of Petone) and Miss Seddon, ail of whom expressed their regret at being unable to be present. Mr Kennedy said it was with feelings of pleasure, coupled also with feelings of regret, that he came forward, on behalf of the “ Times ” Company, to tender a small present to Mr Wilson us a token of the esteem in which he \\ as held. Mr Wilson was held in the highest regard as a member of the editoiial department of the paper, and, for himself, it had been a great pleasure, to know that they had a gentleman of Mr Wilson’s stamp on the staff. Consequently he parted with him with a feeling of regret. It had been said that if Mr Wilson had not' been a politician he would not have been appointed to the position of Parliamentary Librarian. He regarded that rather as a compliment to Mr Wilson, for it showed that he had won the good opinion of the members of the House. Mr Wilson was one of the oldest members of the “New Zealand Times ” staff, and it was greatly regretted by the directorate that he was leaving the paper. Mr Kennedy had, however, pleasure, on behalf of the proprietors, in presenting Mr Wilson with the present from the company. Mr Kelly, on behalf of the literarv staff in the “Times” office, then asked Mr Wilson’s acceptance of a handsome silver-mounted stick. As chief of the staff of the paper, he had the highest esteem for Mr Wilson, for few men had the instinct of journalism more firmly implanted in them. His loss was a loss co the journalistic world, and he left behind him a gap that was very hard to fill.

The Hon Mr Walker said it gave him very great pleasure to be present. Although he had net known Mr Wilson as long as most cf those present, still he had known him long enough to appreciate his good qualities. It was not the first time journalism had furnished a recruit foi' higher work than the immediate daily needs of journalism, and lie had no doubt that- Mr Wilson would prove himself a most- able librarian. He knew the surroundings of the library, he liad a, deep love of books, and had a wide knowledge of general literature.

Mr J. B. Harcourt also referred in felicitous terms to Mr Wilson’s connection with journalistic work in Wellington.

Mr Wilson, in responding, said that in bidding good-bye to journalism lie was taking leave of some very old friends, and he was also giving up a good deal in Going out of newspaper work- Though the work of journalism was not rewarded as was work in other professions, still it had many recompenses. In leaving journalism he felt', however, that his journalistic past was not dead, because he would always sympathise with those who had worked with him- He wished all his journalistic friends who were present success in the future, and wished success to the present proprietors of the “New Zealand Times.” They had raised the paper to a high standard, and there was now every promise of the “Times” proving one of the best dailv papers in the colony. He thanked all concerned, for the very handsome presents which had been given him. Mrs Malcolm Ross won the lady’s prize —a hand-painted plaque—in the euchre contest, and Mr Haybittle the gentleman’s prize, a silver-mounted walkingstick. The Hen. J. Carroll presented tha prizes in appropriate and humorous speeches. Mr E. J. Hill and Miss Randall contributed songs during the evening, and Messrs Minifie and McLauchlan provided the music for the dancing, which followed the progressive euchre games. Three cheers were given for Messrs Kelly and Bannister, the oiganisors of tha evening's entertainment. It might be mentioned that the goods were procured at Messrs W. Littlejohn and Sens., Lambton Quay, where the tea service was also suitably engraved.