FAREWELL SMOKER.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XVII, Issue 2244, 26 August 1907, Page 3

FAREWELL SMOKER.

PRESENTATION TO MR A. H.

WILSON.

A arge number of * friends of Mr A. H. Wilson, accountant at the Bank of New Zealand, who has been transferred to Thames, assembled at the Criterion Hotel oh Friday night for the purpose of bidding him farewell on the eve of his departure.

Mr E. W. Porritt presided, and read a large number of apologies for absence, the writers of the letters speaking in high terms of praise 'of Mr Wilson's ability and his geniality and unfailing courtesy. . After the usual loyal" toast had bean honoured, Mr Porritfc proposed the toast of the " Guest of the evening, Mr Wilson,"'and said they had niet to'bid''farewell to a fellow townsman and friend — Adam Wilson. When Mr Wilson came to Paeroa seven years ago he was unknown to most people hera. He came to Paeroa a young man, and young in the service of the , bank, and during his stay here he had earned the esteem and confidence of the bank's customers. They were sorry that he was going away, but they were pleased to know that going to Thames meant promo tiou and advancement in the bank's service. • Mr Wilson had identified himself with many institutions in Paeroa, and they would all miss him very much. As secretary of the Tennis and Croquet Club Mr Wilson had made himself extremely popular, and as far as he was concerned there had not been the slightest friction, and as a member of the Golf Club he would also be missed. For a number of years he was a member of the. volunteer corps,' and had been arp al good member. Whatever he had turned his hand to^he had taken it up and had done it with his might. It was nob only in sport that Mr Wilson; was appreciated * he would principally be missed by the business people of Paeroa. Mr Wilson had had a good deal til do with many of the business people, and had had a good deal to do with them thinking so highly of the Bank of' New Zealand. He had always been courteous and obliging, and had often gone out of his way to oblige people in business. Mr Wilson's friends did not wish him to leave without taking with him some token of their esteem and goodwill. He had therefore pleasure in handing to Mr Wilson a gold watch and a chain as a token of that esteem, and trusted that it would serve to remind him of his many friends in Paeroa. The toast was received enthusiastically and drunk with musical honours. f Mr A. 0. Hubbard endorsed Mr Porritt's remarks, and sai& that by his genial nature Mr Wilson had endeared himself to all; He had met Mr Wilson in several capacities and had' always found him a real "white man." He hoped that later on, when promotion . was being handed round again, and there was a vacancy for a manager at the bank at Paeroa, the bank •authorities would take into consideration Mr Wilson's capabilities and that they would see him back again in Paeroa. Mr A. Cassrels said Mr Wilson ! had always been civil and courteous to evefry person who had anything | to do with him. He wished him every success and hoped that some day they would see him back in Paeroa. Mr L. B. Grimstone (manager of the Paeroa branch of the Bank of New Zealand) said he was pleased to see Mr Wilson getting on. When he (the speaker) came to Paeroa he was told that he had a very good lieutenant in Mr Wilson, and he had found this to be true. Mr Wilson had been of great assistance to him all through, and he hoped that at the place he (the speaker) was going to he would haye as good a second as Mr Wilson. He felt sure that if Mr Wilson did not come back to Paeroa as manager, he would go to some other place. ;s[r Wilson on rising to respond was greeted with loud applause. He said that he considered it was any young fellow's duty to assist the townsfolk and to do all he could to help the town in any way. He thanked them for their] kind remarks, for their good wishes, and for their present. Regarding Mr Porritt's remaps about the Tennis Club, he said' '>$is had been a hobby of his. Six'or seven years ago, when they re-formed the club in Paeroa, there were only about six members, while now there were about 50. Next year they would have the pavilion, and that would jproye of greafc assistance to them.

He wished the Tennis and Croquet Club every success. He had also been pleased to support golf and football, and had been pleased at the success this season of the East Football Club. Of the superior officers he had had in Paeroa he could not speak too highly'—they had been white men, every one of them, and he could not say too much for Mr Grimstjone. He hoped that when his friends came to Thames they would look him up, and he would always be pleased to. see them. ' ■ .' { Later on in the evening, when replying to another toast, Mr D. T. Inglis (manager of the Paeroa branch &f the National Bank) said he had always found Mr Wilson unfailing in courtesy and civility. In Mr Wilson the Bank of New Zealand had one of its most promising officers, and he (the speaker) felt certain he deserved the promotion life had received. Other toasts during the evening were as follows:—" Bank of New Zealand," proposed by Mr Porritt, and responded, to by Mr Grim - stone;-" Local industries," proposed by Messrs Hubbard and Searle, arid responded to by .Messrs Dixon, Handley, and Vuglar; "National Bank," proposed by. 1 Mr Grimstone, and responded to by Messrs Inglis and Shaw; ''Press," proposed by Mr Wilson, and responded to by the Gazette representative; and the 1 " Chairman," t proposed by -Mr Hubbard. Mr A. J. Gracie presided at the piano, and during the evening songs were rendered by. Messrs R. Quick, F. Huttoa, and W. Dixon, a duet by Messrs E. V. Quick and W. Dixon, and Mr Graeie played., a pianoforte solo. A pleasant .evening terminated about eleven o'clock with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne " and three cheers for Mr Wilson. '