PRESENTATION TO MR JAMES SMITH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11452, 17 June 1899, Page 8

PRESENTATION TO MR JAMES SMITH.

TKe iiiembers. of''the;■''Master.' Butchers!,.is-' 's6ciation..inet hi tliQ board roomoof"the£ f "the Agricultural Hall on Thursday evening, to make a presentation to Mr James Smith, jun., who is severing his' connection with the Farmers! Agency Company to take part;in the. management of his father's property, the Cxreenfield estate. Mr T. Smith (president of the association) was in" the chair, and in explaining the'reason, of. the gathering; said'that when the; question of making a presentation to Mr Smith was first mooted a night or so ago the butchers rallied round most enthusiastically, and subscribed freely: and liberally. He had! na doubt; that that fact spoke for itself. Mr Smith was highly respected by. all the; •butchers, and his absence from Duhedin would, be; greatly felt. It was very hard for.a man; mixing up in a business community to escape" making enemies, but he'(the speaker) could honestly, say that he did not'think there was a single persoh in-the city with any bitter feelings Mr Smith, who appeared to. have' won the', respect and esteem of all who came'in'contact with-him. He'did not think they would charge,him with exaggeration when he'said that allVho knew^Mr-Smith.re-speete'd him. for his gentlemanly bearing and his kirixl and courteous manner., As -an aue 1 tiorieer his word was as good'as his Bond, and uever; on a single -occasion could it be said that Mr Smith, had deceived any. purchaser of stock. \V'hen he told them the quality of the stook he was selling no one ever questioned thij integrity of his'statement, because they,yi knew" they 'were dealing with- an honest 'irfd truthful-auctioneer, i 'He ; thought it was:a great honour to Mr Smith that the butchers had shown such promptitude, in. recognisiiig his many! good "qualities.' > The speaker, then presented Mr. Smith, on behalf of, the butchers pfDunedin, with a travelling bag and dressing case (both, suitably inscribed),. and also wjth'a^trayellihgrug'for himself and one'for Mrs Smith/ Mr p. Miller and 'several other gjentlemen.■..'spoke^in'; .a .similar strain, .. after whiph^Mr Smithy replied in'feeliiig terms.-;'