PRESENTAAION TO MR M, COHEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 61

PRESENTAAION TO MR M, COHEN.

At tho Town Hall on the sth inst. a presentation was made to Mr Mark Cohen, editor of our evening contemporary, prior to his departure on a trip to the Home Country. There were about 50 gentlemen present, among the number being hi 3 Worship the Mayor (Mr G. La«reno\ in the chair), Mr J. Roberts, C.M.G., Reve. Rutherford Waddell and W. Thomson, Hod. J. T. Paul, M.L.C., Hon. J R Sinclair, M.L.C., Crs Brinsley, Crore, Hc-otr White. Arkle, Small, Connor, Loutlon, and Walker, Messrs T. K. Sidey, M H.R., R. Chifiholm, G. Fenwick, E. C. RevnoUU, W. F. Edmond, A. Sligo, J. T. Mackerras G. L. Dennkton, J. M'Donald, ,T. Taylor, J. A. X. Riedle, C. Branson, V. Williams, F. J. Stilling, L. Harris, L. Wil.-on, Piofessor M'Kenzie (Wellington), Messrs T. Pilling (Lawrence), J. B. Waters, and E. JD. Grace. Apologies for non-attendance were Teceived from the Rev. Curzon-Siggers, Mr A. A. Finch, and Mr J. C. Marshall. The Mayor said he was very pleased to preside o\er the meeting, which had been called for the purpose of paying respect to their friend Mr Mark Cohen prior to bis lea\ing Dunedin for a trip to England. He was sure that Mr Cohen must be gratified ("hat so many gentlemen had responded to ilie invitation.— (Applaute.) He thought they were only doing their duty in paying their respect to Mr Cohen, seeing the amount of work he had done in the interests of the city for almost a lifetime. — (Applause.) If any man in the city deserved euch an honour it was Mr Cohen. _ For many years past he had identified himself with movements for the well-being of the citizens and for charitable purposes. His visit to tbe Home Country was not being undertaken altogether for his own benefit. It was nece«arv that he should make the trip for his health's, =alee, but he had someilung else in Mew. It wad well-known that Mr Cohen had alua\o taken a keen interest

in the public library movement, and at Home ho would make an attempt to increase this institution's usefulness by requesting Mr Carnegie to allow the city to throw it open as a circulating library for the people.— (Applause.) His Worship wished Mr Cohen a pleasant voyage and a safe return, perfectly restored in health, and on behalf of a large number of subscribers handed to him a purse containing the sum of £I*B.— (Applause.) Mv G. Fenwick referred in eulogisticterms to the indomitable perseverance which had characterised Mr Cohen in his life, and -spoke of his public services. Hu was followed by Mr A. Sligo, Crs Gore, Arkle and White. Mr Cohen replied in a speech in which he made reference to the early days of the city and province, and thanked the subscribers for. their token of esteem. A special meeting of the Catlins Railway League was held in the Excelsior Hotel on the sth ins*. lor the purpose ofi saying good-bye to Mr M. Cohen, one of the vice-iiresidents. -Mr R. Chisholm presided, and there* were a dozen members present. The Chairman and Mr J. * r Arnold, M.H.R , referred in eulogistic terms to Mr Cohen> services, and Ahat gentiemaa made an appropriate response.