PRESENTATION TO MR GRINDLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 7

PRESENTATION TO MR GRINDLEY.

. Mr Smith said th»t he was deputed to make the presentation on behalf of the master butchers of Duuedin. When it was announced that Mr Griadley had severed his connection with the business in which he had been engaged for so many years, ho (the speaker) conferred with Mr Elliott, and they decided to get up a subscription. The subscriptions they received were so generous and so numerous that they were able to purchase the silver salver and tea and coffee service which they saw before them for presentation to Mr Grindley as a mark of i the good feeling which had always existed j between him and the butchers — (Applause.) An auctioneer was placed in a delicate position. He had to please two sides, and that was > very often a difficult thing to do. Mr Grindley, while he aefced in his late capacity, so in & manner that earned him the respect and esteem of all with whom he had come into contact. He had gone into hotel keeping, and as to the merits of that trade he (the speaker) would not just then refer, but he would say this, that if botelkeeping could" ba made more respectable or more honourable, the conduct of .the house over which Mr " Grindley - would' henceforth preside would be more honourable. — (Applause.} He hoped Mr Grindley would live long and enjoy good health with his wife and family. '.Mr -Grindley was then handed the silver eernce, which was of a costly nature, and of a beautiful design. In acknowledging the presentation,'he said that .till he was about to leave Dunedin ha nevar knew he had so- many frieuds. All classes had given him hearty "aeud off's," and now the batchers had coma forward— rlast, but not least. On behalf of himself and Mi's Grindley, he thanked them warmly for their Beautiful present and'for the many kind expressions of goodwill that had been uttered on their behalf by Mr Smith. He had been asked to say something about the matter that had brought them there that night. He agreed with the farmers that the question decided itself by legitimate trade amongst the butchers. What was wanted was a master butchers' association, which could meet monthly and discuss matters of interest pertaining to their business', including the price at which the meat should be sold. — (Applause.) He thanked them again must heartily for their present, and would remember the kindly spirit which had been displayed towards him in this counection 'till bis lait days.— (Applause.) The meeting then broke up.