MR J. F. KERWIN

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1732, 10 May 1905, Page 29

MR J. F. KERWIN

FAREWELL DINNER.

A large and representative gathering of Wellington citizens assembled at the Hotel Cecil last -week to bid farewell to Mr John Francis Kerwin, superintending engineer for Messrs Macartney, McElroy and Co., contractors for the city electric- tramway installation, prior to his departure from New Zealand. The Mayor of W ellington (the lion T. YV. Hislop) presided. On his right were the guest of the evening and the Very Rev w. J. Keogh, S.M., Hector of St. Patrick's College. On the chairman's left were the Right Hon the Premier and Mr Martin Kennedy. The toast of “The King" was given by the chairman.

The toast of “Our Guest’’ was proposed by the chairman iu a happy speech, in which lie paid a high tribute to the excellence of the work carried out under Mr Kerwin’s supervision. The chairman presented Mr Kerwin with a gold sovereign case. The toast was drunk enthusiastically.

Mr Kerwin, in reply, acknowledged the compliment paid him, and expressed his hearty appreciation of the eo-operation and kindness be had met with during nis stay in New Zealand. His time here had been an exceptionally pleasant one; he left New Zealand with many regrets; but he would always cherish happy memories of the time he had spent in the colony. (Applause). The toast of “The Ministry" was given by Mr P. W. Gougli, who referred to the progressive legislation of the colony in eulogistic terms. The Premier expressed his pleasure in being present to pay a tribute to the guest of the evening. It was seldom that a large employer of labour knowing the difficulties that arose from time to time in new countries carried through uio great work that Mr Kerwin had so successfully accomplished, and he left these shores with tbe esteem and goodwill of everyone he had employed. (Applause.) Mr Kerwin had told them that lie had not had the slightest difficulty in regard to the employment of labour in New Zealand, and he supposed, when their guest came face to face with the problem., be

had found that the men under him had given a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. (Hear, hear.) He hoped so iong as the Ministry did what was just to the people of this country, and did its best to develop our vast resources, to keep °xir country in the van of progress, it would continue to have the esteem and respect of the majority of the people. During the last few hours a statement had been published to the effect that the colony’s credit at Home was suffering, and that our stock, as compared with the stocks of other countries, were declining. That was a pure fabrication"; The financial state and credit of the colony was in a very satisfactory position. (Applause.) Regarding the question of his acceptance of the position of High Commissioner, he had said all along, and again said, that when duty called it was for him to obey, and he believed lie could do more good in New Zealand and for New Zealand than he could away from it. H© was not going to leave New Zealand. (Applause.) Other toasts were —“The City Council,” proposed bi r Mr F. McParland, senr, and responded to by the Mayor and Councillor Winder; “The* Chairman,” given bv Mr P. Me A idle; and “The Press,” by the Very Rev Father Iveogli. Songs were contributed by Messrs E. J. Hill, J. F. Corr, and W. H. Morton. (City Engineer).