"BON VOYAGE."

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10751, 26 April 1911, Page 1

"BON VOYAGE."

TO .MR J. K. SEWELL. A number of friends of Mr. J. "R. Sewell met at the North. Otago Club vesterdav afternoon to wish liim a pleasant holiday on his forthcoming trip to England and the Continent. Mr William Gardiner, jnnr., was voted to the chair. They . were aware, he said. that, their, old and highlv esteemed friend Mr John Sewell was about to take a trip to the Old Country and they thought that he could not .he allowed to depart .without calling a few of his friends together to sav good-bye. The whole business had on'lv been' started that morning, but thev had had a very, cordial response' to their invitation. He had. known Mr Sev.-r !1 from a boy, and. in all capacities a., :; man and as a sport he was sure there was no one who knew'him, who would not wish him well, at his departure. , _ .

Aitcr the toast of the King, Mr Duncan Sutherland was asked to make a presentation to Mr Sewell. Mr Sutherland said he was very pleased t'o be one of those to wish bon voyage to their old friend Jack Se\vell. He had known Mr Sewell for a lpng-time and knew him as a thorough good sport and one of the straightest. He wished hini a very pleasant voyage arid safe .return, and presented him on behalf of those present .with .a gold sovereign case and a gold-mounted pencil. Mr E. P. Lee said New Zealanders were very well received at Home,, and Mr Sewell and his friend were, sure to have a good time. He had in asking Mr Sewell's acceptance of a New Zealand rug and travelling bag. Mr Gardiner said they had. heard the very kind things that had been said of Mr" Sewell as a townsman and a sport, and they would: like to hear what his colleagues had to say of. him. Mr Procter said that, his fellowchemists could not allow Mr Sewell to depart without wishing him a cordial uood-hyc and assuring -him. that during his absence they would do, their l>est tc. further his interests. -Though their, presentation was a small token he could assure Mr Sewell that it--was ..accompanied by the .best wishes of .his colleagues. On behalf of Messrs Lane, Morris, and hiniself he presented Mr Sewell with an umbrella, and hoped he would come back safely, bringing the umbrella with him. .Mr Waddell said that Mr Sewell was a real good fellow and had. had the good sense to keep out of public bodies, lie did not know how the people .in Thames street would do: without • Jack Sewell. They wished- him a real good time.

Mr Wm. Reo hoped Mr SeweU would have a very pleasant .tiiucv - When lio came back he would find the-right hand of fellowship extended to him. Mr Robert French _ also wished Mr SeweU and his companion Mr Taylor a pleasant journey and.safe.return.. Mr SeweU thanked them.one and all for the. good words they had-said of him and for the presents they had given him. He was not a, good..speaker, so he could do no more.than extend his very sincere thanks to them. Mr John Gay, called.on to-say a few words, gave v expression to the very original statement that.he was. unaccustomed to ]>ublic speaking. In. his. tini.e he had met many white, men,..but .lie had never met a whiter than Jack SeweU. . , ■-- ... .. . . Mr Piper proposed tliejiealth of their genial chairman, whq "li'ad presided at many of their social, gatherings. In returning thanks' for., the compliment MY Gardiner said there were no two men more intimate, hi North Dtago than Mr Sewell andjiimserf;'.nikl there was none who appreciated Mr SewelPs r|iialities more than he did. The gathexing dosed,, with the sinking of "Auld Lang Syne."