PRESENTATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10902, 20 October 1911, Page 4

PRESENTATION.

MR R. W. MONSON HONORED. Mr R. W. Monson, who with Mrs Monson Mild family leave Oamaru tomorrow tor Nelson, to which .town Mr I Monson has been transferred as rnana- j gcr of tlie.Union, Steam Ship Company's office, was niettinsinorning by a num 7 her of the commercial gentlemen of the town connected with shipping and formally farewelled, the good wishes of his friends of. the accompanied by ffiintlsbme presents jpr Mrs Monson and himself. The function to:ok place in the Loan Company's

offices. Mr W. H. Rose officiated as .spokesman. He said that as they were all business men there was no time for extensive speech-making, but he thought it wise spmething . should be; (said on an occasion "sucli as the present. Tliey were all business men ehgage'd in practical work in Oamaru,- and it was right that those who had come directly, into touch with Mr Monson in shipping matters should meet to say farewell to him. In getting up a testimonial for Mr Monson the response had. been spontaneous and the giving was done without any attempt to coerce persons into donating subscriptions. Mr Monson had occupied a very responsible _ position as manager of the Union Steam Ship Company's office for 12 and a-halt' years. That lie had been successful in "pleasing his Company Was vouched for by the fact that lie had received promotion, and he had also been successful in pleasing them. Mr Rose, from his own. personal knowledge, could say how Mr Monson had helped the shippers at times when space was short and ■it was necessary to secure space, and had met them willingly and freely. Also, his help had been invaluable when the demurrage question had cropped up in the case-of delay to shipping, and there were a thousand and one other troubles that only shippers knew about which Mr Monson had helped through. : Air Monson had not only acted in his capacity as manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, but he had helped in matters of general commerce. He (Mr Rose) remembered how when Holmes wharf was built it became necessary to improve shipping matters, and representations were made to Mr Monson in reference to the Calcutta trade, which had previously been carried oh'by way of transhipment from other ports. The facilities afforded, by the harbor improvements had induced importers'to urge the Union Steam Ship Company to make Oamaru a direct pdi-t of call for. the Calcutta steamers. Mr Monson had readily supported this, with the result that au extra . freight of over ids per ton had been saved. Mr Monson was a gentleman whoni -they could ill afford to lose. His common sense and business ability were always available when wanted. He was a ' member of the. Harbor Board for six or seven years, and one of those who as- " sited iii making tlie building of Holmes Wharf a success. He was a" member

of the Chamber of Commerce —was one of the founders of the Chamber of Commerce and a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, and it was only when they started to enumerate that they appreciated fully his good abilities and' how helpful lie had been to the business community. They appreciated the fact that Mr Monson was gaining promotion, and wished him success 111 the larger field of which he was to take charge.—(Applause.) M r Montagu said lie wished to add a i little to what had- been said regarding Mr Monsou's excellent qualities. He had,been struck with the univeisal politeness Mr Moiisoir had exhibited in connection with the passenger traffic. When advice had been asked by passengers Me. Moiispn had always given it with cheerfulness. Mr W. W. Dawson said lie had known Mr Monsoii as d friend: and as a business man, and he fully endorsed all that had been said regarding him.Mr Hose at this stage asked Air Monson to accept a handsome silver tea and coffee. service jointly for himself arid Mrs Monson, and for himself a gold albert with pendant attached. The gifts were inscribed "R. ~W.. Monspn, JKsq., from Oamani merchants, 20tli October, 1911." Mr Monspn said lie could.hardly rind words to express his thanks for.the flat- . termg and kind remarks that had been. made and for. the presents they had: been goW" enough' to ;giVe' him' on the occasion 1 of his leaving Oamaru. Me did not know that it was owing to any special abilities of his own that he had bebii able to get along so well; rather, he thought, it was on account of; the' manner in which the Oamaru business men had met him. He was gratified to feci that on leaving the-district he had thegoodwill of those with whom he had' been working for twelve and a-half years, and he would always value . tliciiv presents very . much indeed. On -he-, -half of his wife and himself he thanked , the: donors. At the conclusion <if the function, Mr; Rose welcomed Air...Digby Smith, Mr Mori son's successor in Oamarn.'