PRESENTATION AT HAKATARAMEA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10105, 24 March 1909, Page 1

PRESENTATION AT HAKATARAMEA.

FAIiEWF.LL TO Mil -T. IJKTSDALE. (From a Correspondent.) On Monday evening a large number of tho inhabitants of the 1-lakataramca_ and surrounding districts met at the handhurst Hotel to bid a temporary farewell to Ml' James Drysdalc, who has for so many years been manager of the l.lakataraineu, Tho lJowns, and. Round fl.il properties belonging to the New Zealand Land Company, and is about to have a wellearned holiday visiting the Old Country. Notwithstanding that tlie weatlnr was anything but favorable for the occasion, the "large dining-room ot' the hotel was crowded, many of the visitors braying the elements and "coming miles to bo present to do honor to the guest of the evening. The -Misses and -Messrs Sullivan had the room nicely decorated, and considering they only had a few hours' notice, of sueii a function taking place deserve every credit. Tho arrangements augured well for their success in their new undertaking, they haying just taken possession of the hotel property. . Mr \Y\ Menzies, a very old resident ot the district, was voted to the chair and in a few well-chosen remarks stated the purpose of the gathering, adding that from, the large number present it was needless for him to say anything as to the popularity or esteem in which ilr was "held by all classes in tlie district, lie had a. very pleasant duty to perform that evening, and that was to piesent their guest "with a gold, watch, .it' was hoped by. the subscribers thereto that the recipient would long live to wear d, and that- at times when looking at it it would remind him of the present gathering and the many friends he had in this and the surrou ndi n g distr i c ts. .Mr Jh-vsdale, who on rising to reply was received with loud applause. "Knr he's a jolly good fellow.'' etc., said he hail in the course of his career to.'lace manv obstacles, both in tho Jield and elsewhere, but the present fence was an obstacle he would have some dilli-ulty in getting over, without coming to grief. However, he was not a public spenker, and could only say how grateful he was to all those kind friends present, not only for their presence in inviting him to say good-bye for a time —not only for tliei 1. verv valuable present, but for their moi-o than kind remarks and good wishe* ior his future welfare. lie would value their handsome- present- very highly, and when looking at it it would remind him of their present meeting and of their soon meeting again, as his proje-vted trip to the Old Country was only for a short term, and on his leturu he hoped to meet all his okl friends well, prosperous, and happy. Mr Drysdalc resumed his seat amid Joud cheers Dr Stevens said he hoped Mr Drysdalc would have a, good trip Home and upon his return he would bring with iiini a eood wife and motor ear. During the evening all the loyal, patriotic, commercial, and agricultural were * duly proposed and responded t< : , soims and recitations enlivened the presentation. and after '-Auld bang >Syne had been sung the gathering broke up with three cheers for Mr Drysdate.