PRESENTATION TO MR R. C. TENNENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10581, 30 January 1896, Page 4

PRESENTATION TO MR R. C. TENNENT.

A number of tbe friends of Mr R. C. Tennent, accountant in the Dunedin branch of the Bank of New South Wales, who has been promoted to the management of the Timaru branch, met yester-> day morning in Hessrs Stout, Slondy, aad Sim's to make him a presentation. Mr J. B. Callan presided, and among those present were"Drßatchelor F. J. Townsend, G. B. Grierson, M. G. Pasco, F. R. Chapman, J. R. Sinclair, J. K. Galkway. W. A. Sim, J. Mo'oney (W. Scoular and Co.), D. Baxter, W. V. E..imond, G. It. Hercus (Ross and Glendining), aad J. D. Dunn (Wright, Stephenson, and Co.). The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, writing in apology for his non-attendance, said he was pleased at being given the opportunity of participating in the friendly presentation proposed to be made to bis brother banker, Mr Tennent. As one of the family of that order, and as an old New South Wales officer, he had pleasure in euclosiug his mite as an earnest of his lesard for Mr Tennent and for his future prosperity. Mr A. Michie, manager of the Bank nf New Zealand, also forwarded an apology for his absence, and added that Mr Tenncnt left Dunedin with tbe best wishes of his brother bankers. Messrs A. Matheson (manager of the Mutual Agency Company) and H. S. Jones (P. Hayman and Co.) also sent letters of apology for their non-attendance, and the absence of Dr Ogston and Mrßonaldson (of the National Bank) was apologised for by Mr Pasco. The Chairman said that a few of Mr Tennent's friends, hearing he was about to be removed from Dunedin, determined that he should not be allowed to leave without some token of their regard, and they had met that niurniug to show Mr Tenneut the esteem in which he was held. Of the gentlemen who had initiated the presentation, somo of them had known Mr Tennent in connection with business, others in connection with the Dunedin Parliamentary UnioD, and others in connection with the Otago Lawn Tennis Club. In mentioning the last-named fact, he might say he thought it a good thin? that a man who had passed the meridian of life should still take an interest in some form of innocent physical healthy exercise. It was a good example for younger peoplo, and for the man himself it was desirable that he should not allow himself to ba so immersed in busiuess as not to he able to take p;irt in Rome of the amusements going on arouud him. Some of the gentlemen connected with the presentation hsd known Mr Tennent in the intercourse of private life, but in whatever way those who bad initiated the movement had known him they all regretted that tho ties which had been foriuud with him were about to he broken. Ihe spoaker himself had known Mr Tennent chiefly in connection with the Psrliaments-ry Union, and he could not help saying that it did not often happen that a banker took an active part in political matters. However, tbe banking legislation which had iccently been passed concerning some of our banks might alter that state of affairs.—(Laughter.) There was no reason that he knew why a bunker should not also b» ;:. clever Union, he thought he voiced the unanimous opinion of the members of that institution when he said that Mr Tennent's loss would be very much felt, for he was its chief mainstay. He was always ready to fill a R.\p to keep a discussion Koing, and he was tmrloubtedly very populnr among the members. The speaker tbcu handed Mr Teunant a purse of sovereigns as a mark of regard of some of his friends, and as a proof that he had, during his iesidence iv Duneiliu, earned the esteem and respect of a great number of the citizens. He wished Mr Tennent every success and prosperity in his new sphere of lif*. Mr Tennent, iv replying, said he was quite taken aback by the presentation that had been made to him. He was a comparative sti anger, as it was ouly five yours ago that he came to Dunedin, and if he had been successful in meeting members -,f the Parliamentary Union, and members of the Tenuis. Club he was very pleased indeed. It had given him pleasure to know them. Never having lived in a Scottish community, he did not know before be came here the kindness of the hearts of the people, but since hfi had been in Dunediu he had mot with tho greatest kindness, and within the period of his residence in the city he had formed some of the wannest friendships of the whole course of bis life.. During bis residence in 'Dunedin he had enjoyed the very pretty-walks about the city, and he did not think the people here knew as well as they might wbnt beautiful scenery they had. He again thanked his friends for the kindness they had shown him, and for the way they had mat him to wish him good-bye. It would be his family's opinion, as well as his own, thit thsy had dons him a great deal of honour.—(Ap .lause.) Mr Tennent and family left for Timaru by the express train yesterday morning.