FAREWELL TO MR C. W. RATTRAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13859, 23 March 1907, Page 6

FAREWELL TO MR C. W. RATTRAY.

The members of the Otago Harbour Board met yesterday afternoon to bio farewell to Mr C. W. Rattray, ouc of its members, who is leaving next week for a trip to England. 'I'hcrc were present, besides Mr llattray. Messrs J.' T. Mackerraa (chair, man), E. Diithie, W. Barclay, G. B. Bullock, J. Watson, I'. Ross, J. Robin, and the Hon. T. Fergus. , Mr Mackcrras, in rising to propose Mr Rattray's health, said there was a certain fitness in such a toast falling to his hands, inasmuch as he could claim to have enjoyed iltc friendship of Mr Jiatlray's father on tlio other side of the water in tho fifties. The late Mr Rattray possessed great business ability, and, moreover, ho was eminently public spirited, which was a quality not always observable in business men. In the early days of tho province lie helped forward all movements which went for tho advancement and prosperity of Otago. Ho was onu of the men who met in the office of Messrs Briscoe and Co. on the 4th March, .1873, to devise the best means for having a harbour trust created with sufficient endowments for the improvement of the harbour. Ho was therefore one of the fathers, and was present at the birth, ot the Otago Harbour Board. Tho son to whom they did honour that day had inherited not only the commercial ability of his father, but "also his public spirit, which qualified him to me a valuable member of Die board. Although Mr Rattray had been a member for only a short time, he had given evidence that he was an acquisition and had secured the confidence and respect of the hoard. The. speaker concluded by expressing tho wish that Mr and Mrs Rat. tray would have an exceedingly pleasant voyage. The members of the board haying honoured the toast, Mr liattray brief!} thanked tho board for the tribute it ha« paid him. Ho expressed 'lie satisfaction lie had liatl in joining the board, and hoped that on his return lie would be of material assistance to il. One thin.? lie would certainly try to ctfcct, and that was to induce tho 'board to give assistance .owards reduction on imports. He tlmnkctl tlio chairman heartily for the kind words he had said.