DEPARTURE FOR LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 23

DEPARTURE FOR LONDON.

WELLINGTON, December 3. The Hon. W. Hall-Jones was yesterday the; recipient of an' illuminated address contained in a massive rimu frame from the> officers of the Public Works Department, as a mark of esteem. At the head of the address was an excellent coloured picture of Raurimu. The Prime Minister, the Hon. J. A. Millar, the Hon. J. M'Gowan, and nearly all . the heads or the departments in the civil service attended the Cabinet room yesterday to say. farewell to Mr HallJones. References were made to hia many qualificationa^for his new office. It was mentioned .that when he became Minister of Railways the annual expenditure was £700; GOO, but last year it reached £1,900,000. About 1000 persons were at the wharli this afteitooen to see the Hon. W. Hall*Jones oft by" the Corinthie for London. All the members of the Ministry in town t . several' members of Parliament, and- many heads oonf n departments were there.- Mr Hall-Jones was hearbily cheered as the steamer moved off. Presentations wore made to Mr and" Mrs Hall-Joneß by the members of , the Cabinet .this morning, Mr Hall-Jones receiving a gold sovereign case- and his wife a gold crescent broocn. One of the last acts of the High Commiar sionec in New Zealand was to visit thf grave of his former chief, Mr Seddon.