A CALEDONIAN PRESENTATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10409, 22 March 1910, Page 4

A CALEDONIAN PRESENTATION.

TO MR THUS. WATSON. Members of the Caledonian Society to the number of about thirty met at the Star and Garter this morning to say good-bye to Mr Thos. Watson, who is leaving Oamaru to take up business at Palmerston North. Mr Adam Mackay, who presided, said they were there more particularly as Caledonians to wish Mr Watson success in his new home and undertaking. He had done a great deal for the Caledonian Society and they should be very sorry to lose him at a- critical period in their history. At the same time he thought that Mr Watson would be with them in spirit and would do all he could to further the interests of the Society. They could not let liim leave without presenting him with a token of their esteem. Mr Mackay then handed Mr Watson a gold sovereign case for himself and a rug for his wife. The guest's health was then drunk.

Mr J. D. Grant (Vice-President) said he would not say much except to express his regret at losing such a useful member and such an indefatigable worker for the Society. He hoped he would be as prosperous in Palmerston North as he had been here. Mr J. M. Brown said he had known Mr Watson's father father better than he knew their guest. But he knew enough of Mr Tom Watson _to say that whatever part he filled he filled it well, and did his work honestly and unostentatiously. He. was certain that Mr Watson had all their best wishes.

Mr Duncan Sutherland, as lie had known Mr Watson since he was a boy, sairl lie must say that what he remembered of him was when lie was a competitor at the sports and a nuisance to the starters. Later lie had reached years of discretion and been a help to the management. In a humorous speech, Mr Sutherland recalled many reminiscences of Mr Watson's youth. .

Mr Win. Bee spoke in praise of their guest's character and said he had no doubt his sterling value would bring him forward in his new sphere. Mr John Taylor wished Mr and Mrs Watson every prosperity and hoped that if Mr Watson could at any time help the Oamr.ru Caledonian Society with advice he would do so. Mr A. J. Grave said that the loss this Society was sustaining would be a decided gain to Palmerston North. He was sure that wherever he was Mr Watson would be a moving spirit in the world of sport. Amid applause Mr Watson rose to reply. He said it took a good deal of courage for him to leave the friends and the place in which he had been brought up. He had always been anxious to get to the head of affairs whether in the sport or the management of the Society, aud he had always done his best. He hoped that the Society would prosper in the future. He thanked them very much for the gift which would remind him.of many happy days in Oamaru. Mr Maekav remarked that he hoped Mr Watson would pay them 'a visit occasionally at New Year and help them with their sports. Mr Watson then proposed the toast of "Success to the Caledonian Society/" coupled with the name of the President.

In replying, Mr Mackay said that he hoped that they had left their troublous times behind them. .He was looking forward to the time when they would have their property out on the North Road quite free. The Society had been looked upon as one of the foremost in the Dominion, and he was sure it had a prosperous time before it.