MR W. G. T. GOODMAN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13893, 3 May 1907, Page 3

MR W. G. T. GOODMAN.

ENGINEERS' FAREWELL.

At (lie Orphans' Clubroom last night an "engineers' cvciiing" was tendered to Mr W. G. T. Goodman, city electrical engineer, prior to his departure for Adelaide. Tito arrangements for the gathering were in the capable hands of Messrs R. C. Jones, .1 Cook, A. Morrison, R.N.R.,

.T. Blair Mason, A Slingcr, and W. ,T. Crawford. The attendance included thf> Mayor of Dunedin (Mr J. Loudon), the ex-Mayor (Mr G. Lawrence), city councillors, Messrs A. Burt, U. 0. Jones (who occupied the chair), R. W. Richards (town cleric), J. Mill (Port Chalmers), Dr Roberts,

.T. 1\ M. Fraser, E. K. .Stark, F. W. Mac Lean, J. Blair Mason, F. K. Sheppard, M. Henderson, A. Morrison, W. J. Craw, ford, F. Oakden, and others. The room was decorated with ferns and other greenery, flowers, and flags, and on the walls were displayed placards setting forth somo of Mr Goodman's achievements in the colony—"Dunedin Electric Tramways,"

"Koslvn Electric Tramways," ""Waipori Hydro-electric," " Christchurch Destructor," "Petono Tramways," "Auckland City Lighting," "Hurt Tramways.", etc. As a preliminary, tlto whole gathering rose and remained for a minute in silence as a mark cf respect (o the memories of the late Mr G. M. Barr. M.T.C.K., and the late Hon. W. M. Bolt, MX.C.

Tho chairman read a number of apologies for non-attendance, including one from the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Marine.

After the toast of "The King" had been honoured, Mr G. Lawrence proposed "The Engineering Profession," to which Mr F. W. Mac Lean, Mr .1. Blair .Mason, and the chairman responded. The intimation by Mr Mac Lean that Mr Goodmau had recently been elected a member of the Institute ot ■ Civil Engineers, without special examination', evoked the heartiest applause.

Mr Richards proposed "Our Guest." There had been times, tie said, when as town clerk, he .had to differ with Mr Goodman, though in the end there was always an amicable and just settlement. Mr Goodman had had the honour of carrying out tho first hydro-elect ric installation of any magnitude in the Southern Hemisphere.—(Applause.) In serving any corporate body an engineer might expect to bo attacked by captious writers, and oven hi Dunedin there were many writers of letters who had attempted to educate Mr Goodman.—(Laughter.) Mr Goodman was an ardent student, and well up to date in the electrical science that was now fast developing.—(Applause.) For himself, ho was sorry the City Corporation was losing the services of a gentleman whoso position would not bo readily filled in so far as Dunodin's special requirements were concorned. He had served public bodies himself all his life, and lie hid learned that it was possible to tell them too much.— (Laughter.) His advice to Mr Goodman in his new sphere was to be a good listenot. Lot him keep right with the more experienced councillors, and the younger ones would bo his friends. In leaving Dunedin Mr Goodman wa6 not leaving any legacy that could not be fully realised upon, and ho went away with the best wishes of everyone who had been associated with him.—(Applause.)

Pipers J. M'Knight, R- Popharu, and •T. .M'Callum played round the room, a number of the company, headed by Mr Goodman, following them, after which- Mr James Jago sang, in his best style, "Will ye no' come buck again?" the company joining very heartily in the chorus.

Mr Stark, on behalf of the staff and associated engineers, presented the guest with a handsome gold watch, inscribed;

"To Mr W. G. T. Goodman, Esq., by the Duncdin engineering; staff, on Ids leav. ing Dunedin, in recognition of his manv sterling qualities. May 2, 1907."

Mr J. F. M. Fraser said he considered it was a loss to the city that they were losing Mr Goodman,—(" Hear, hear."). No in-

dnoement that any other colony could offci him should outwcieii tho inducement thai

Duncdin should offer him.—(xVr.-'plnuse.) Mr Goodman had brought, a great work to a successful finish.—(Applaud.) " I have high hopes nf the future of this city," continued Mr Fraser. " I abhor the tone of those men who sound a minor key. We have the foremost, city in the colony. We have as much sound wealth and solid prosperity as any city in tho colony. All it wants is that the pcorle should put flicir

shoulders together and push tho town ahead."—(Loud applause.) Tho AVaipori scheme, ho beliovcd, would prove a profitable undertaking, if • successfully managed. Mr Frasor added a few words in favour of appointing locally-trained men to loca positions, He deplored Uie practice of going ovoisea for tho=.o men. These appoint ments should be marked "For home consumption," but (hoy wore now marked "Not for home consumption."—(Applause.)

In rising to respond Mr Goodman was received with warm anpausc. He thanked the company for tho manner in which it had received the toast of his health, and said tint during his residence in Dunedin lie had made many good friends, from whom it would ho hard to part. As for iho works ho had carried out, they had, he thought, been brought to a successful! issue, but. lie desired to say that in bringing them to a successful issuo the credit

did not belong to him alone. Ho had had the support of a most reliable staff, and when he looked round the room and saw such men as Messrs Stark. AekUiml. Spier,

Henderson, Komi, Shepherd, Williams, M'Donald, and others, he could not but sav that to fheso men. as well as to himself, thanks were due for the work that had been done.—(Apolauso.) In selecting his fitafi he had lookad to the capabilities of tho men. and each and all of them had filled (heir positions even belter than he had'expected.—(Applause.) In a few days now ho would bo saying good-bye to Dunedin, and he would do so with the greatest regret. He said that in all sincerity. One eonld not, live in a place for seven years

rithout making friends, and Hid friends 1m lad made, especially in his profession, ho vould never forget.—(Applause.) As for

the presentation, he would treasure it as long as ho lived. Speaking again of tho works with which ho had been connected, ho said he wished to give honour lo whom honour was due. He took credit, together with his stall', for tho Irarawav work. In regard to Waipori. others had done good work before, his connection with it: he referred to Mr Stark and Mr Williams.-(Ap-ulanee.) It was on undertaking that, he felt certain, would be a. success. He hoped, when ho returned to Dunedin at a future lime, to see not only public buildings lit. bv that power, but many shop's and private residences.—(Applause.) He was now going to t3ko charge of a very big undertaking, and that, appointment, he thought, was tho best endorsement he could have had of tho work ho bad done in Dunedin— (Anpbiuso.) If any of his friends visited Adelaide he hoped they would look him up; and in a couple of years or jo ho mieht como to Danodin for a holiday, and if ho did so bo hoped to, meet many of those from whom ho was now about to part with deep res-rot.—(Applause.) Tbo other t«aiits wero: "Tho Mayor and Corporation. Dunedin," proposed by Mr A. Bait, and responded to by tho Mayor (Mr London): "Tbo Visitors," proposed liv Mr J. Blpir Mnson, and responded lo by Mr John M'lndoo; and "Tho Press."

During the evening vocal items wore men by Messrs James Jago. W, IT. Irvine, A. Walker. Porcv .Tomes, R. Dowirlas, R. W. Rmharda, T. Gillica. R. C. Jones, W. G. T. Goodman. E. Y. Priest, and R. BcnfcU (accoror>aniot)._ Tho proceedings, which wero most enjoyable, concluded before midnight.