PRESENTATION TO MR G. R. RITCHIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 32

PRESENTATION TO MR G. R. RITCHIE.

At the annual meeting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, in the Warat a h Tea Rooms, on the 7th, opportunity was taken by members of the chamber to make a presentation to Mr G. R. Ritchie on the occasion of his approaching marriage. The presentation was made by the President (Mr J. Loudon), whose complimentary references to Mr Ritchie were echoed by several other members. The presentation took the form of a handsome solid silver tray, the gathering rising and toasting the recipient and his bride-elect with musical honours. Messrs J. M. Gallaway, ,T. F. Woodhouse, A. Moritzson, and D. E. Theomin also spoke. Mr Ritchie, who was received with applause, said that it was for him an ernIxnTrussing moment, but quite the proudest of his life. To be surrounded by representative business men of the city, to have received such a handsome present, and to hear what had been said of him, a'l made it difficult for him to thank them. He was especially j leased for more than one reason to hoar the very kind remarks the president bad made about him, liecause ho did not take all the credit for anything be had been abie to do of recent years, lie hud had an excellent example in his father, who hud gone before him. He could assure them that lie had appreciated the count el and assistance that he had always been ready to give him. The action of the members of the chamber that night showed that his confidence had not been misplaced. He thanked them from tno bottom of his heart! and hoped that in the future lie would have many more opportunities of doingsome little towards the advancement of the dominion and of Dunedin in particular.— (Applause.)