PRESENTATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7652, 10 June 1896, Page 2

PRESENTATION.

Yesterday afternoon a large gathering of representative Giaborne gentlemen took pluce in the club room of the Maaonio Hotel for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mr D. Dougherty, who for tha pasb ten years has beeu the popular manager of the Union Company's business in Gisborne. Amongst tho36 present were : Messrs J. Campbell, Dewing, Adams, F. W. Skeot, Kenuedy, Bright, Pyke, Finn, Good, Porter, Stevenson, Symes, Fergusson, Adair, Smith, F. Puruer, Dicksoo, Cameron, Humphries, Sybes, Buckland, O'Meara, Maunsell, Lucas, Maahewson, VV. O. Skeet, Harding, J, Coleman, J. Ctesar, VVillock, Cargill, Muir, Thomson, Buscke, McGowan, Dr Innes, and Lieutenant-Colonel Porter. Mr Townley, Mayor of Gisborne, occupied the chair, aud in making a presentation of a purse of sovereigns on behalf of the business people of Gisborne to Mr Dougherty said that that afternoon they had said goodbye to Mr Sheltoo, and they were now gathered together to say good-bye to another popular man. Mr Dougherty had been for a long time conducting the business of the Union Steam Ship Company in their midst, and it would be some little satisfaction to him to know that lie had conducted that business in such a manner as to receive the approbation of the business people of the , port and that so many were there at th^^ time to bid him good-bye on the occasion oWI his removal to Taranaki. ' He was quite sure that they had all received many kindnesses from Mr Dougherty (applause), and as one who has had a little to do with shipping, he (Mr Townley) must confess that the shipping business of the company had been carried on with success and satisfaction to the Gisborne people. All the time that he had been in Gisborne he had never lost a package and he had scarcely over had any necessity to make a claim to the company for damages, and that was saying a good deal for the management of the service in an open roadstead. The business of the Union Company circled New Zealand and it carried New Zealand's produce to all parts of the world, .aid everything that was calculated to be of interest to New Zealand the company had shown themselves iv favor of, and they had done all they could to further the progress of the colony. In. Mr Dougherty they had an able reprepresentative, who had been attentive to his duties whilst showing kindness and courtesy to the many clients of the Company in Gisborne. Mr Townley thought he was expressing the opinion of all present when he said they were all truly sorry that) Mr Dougherty was leaving (applause), and that they hoped sincerely that the appointment to New Plymouth would be for his good, and that lie would have aa many friends in that district as he was leaving behind in Gisborne. Ho was glad also that they were not only to give Mr Dougherty a verbal good-bye, but that they were to give him aome solid token of the appreciation in which he was held. He had much' pleasure in presenting him with a purse of sovereigns (applause) on behalf of the business people of Gisborne. Not only was Mr Dougherty's . removal regretted, but also that of Mrs Dougherty. That lady had made many friends, and would be greatly missed by a large circle of lady acquaintances. On behalf of the gentlemen present Mr Townley asked • Mr Dougherty to accept the purse of sovereigns. They were sorry to lose him, but they all wished him well in whatever sphere his lot was cast. (Applause.) The presentation would be followed by an illuminated address, which was not yet prepared, but would be forwarded to Me Dougherty when ready. Mr Kennedy read the rough draft of the proposed address and the signatures to ba appended to it. Before sitting down Mr Kennedy said he would like to say a few words on the occasion of Mr Dougherty's departure. He wished to say that his business had thrown him very closely in contact) with Mr Dougherty, and whilst he had always found him ready to meet him in every way in his power, he had also always found him woik very hard in the interests of his employers, and a very hard man to get any concessions out of. (Laughter.) But when a reasonable case had been put to him they had always come to terms. They would miss Mr Dougherty very much. They had greatly appreeiated'the several fishing excursions in (he Snark which in the slack season had been organised, and in many other ways Mr Dougherty's kindnesses would not soon, be forgotten by them. (Applause.) Mr Matthewson said he had a very pleasing duty to perform on behalf of the Gisborne bowlers. (Applause.) The bowlers were a circle inside the general public and were a sort of brotherhood. He begged to assure Mr Dougherty that he had been very highly esteemed by the Gisborne Bowling Club. On behalf of the club he had been deputed to present him with a pipe and tobacco pouch. (Applause.) Their waa one thing that tempered their regret at Mr Dougherty's departure from Gisborne, and that was that bo was going to a very nice district. He (Mr Matthewson) knew it, and he had no doubt that Mr Dougherty would appreciate it, aud. that he would meet many fine people there. He would impreas upon him that he was not going to a barbarous country — he was going to a country where there was a bowling club (laughter). If not the oldest bowling club, the New Plymouth olub was one of the oldest in the colony. When Mr Dougherty lighted his pipe on the New Plymouth bowling green, he was sure it would make him think of the many bowling , friends he had left behind in Gisborne. He had also » further pleasing duty to perform, aud that was to present a small purse of sovereigns to Mr Dougherty on behalf of Mrs Dougherty. That lady had been very attentive to the wants of the bowlers ever Bines the club has been formed, and her regular attendauce at the green would bo very much missed. The bowlers were very much Indebted to her for the many kindnesses they had received at ber hands, and deeply regretted her departure. He would not say more except to again express the heartfelt regret of the Gisborne bowlers at Mr and Mrs Dougherty's removal from their rnidsb, and their heartfelt wishes for their future welfare.

Mr Brighti, iv a humorous and spicy speech, proposed tho health of Mr and Mrs Dougherty. Iv the course of hia remarks "~ Mr Bright bore testimony of Mr Dougherty's sterling qualities aa a business man and faithful service for the company he represented. He sincerely regretted his old friend'B departure From hia experience of . the New Plymouth people he was sure that Mr Dougherty would soon make many friends and be very comfortable. Mr Bright couoluded by asking all present to drink to the health and prosperity of Mr and Mrs Dougherty in whatever sphere they were placed. _ j The toast having been drunk with musical honors and cheers, Mr Dougherty, who on rising was greeted with loud applause, said he really could nob find words in which to thank his friends for the very nice manner in which they had spoken of him, and also the handsome presents they had made him and Mra ■ Dougherty. He had been ten years in Gisborne, and during that time he had made the closest friends ever he had made in his life or hoped to make again. The saying of good-bye to his Gisborne friends was one of-v£ the biggest wrenches his feelings had ever-Jj experienced. At the same time he ooul3^^ assure them that it was one of the happiest moments in hia life. to see that hia little efforts in this town had been so appreciated. He had only done his duty, and he had no idea that he would be so handsomely treated. He only hoped that hia successor, Mr Cargill, would meot with equal kindness ad their handa as he had experienced. (Applause). He felt quite unable to make a ' [ speooh, and he hoped he would be excused. From the very bottom of his heart he thanked them on his own behalf, and also on . that of hia wife, for their very kind expressions of sympathy, and also for their handsome presents. (Loud applause). | Mr Fiun said he had been asked to propose . the health of Mr Dougherty's successor, Mr J. W, Cargil), and he had much pleasure in so doing. Mr Cargill came from Otago, and . there the name Cargill was very well known. : I Referring to Mr Dougherty, Mr Finn said [he regretted his departure very much. He __ was a man esteemed and respected by every ' person with whom he came in contact, and in losing him the district waa loaiug a gentleman who in years past had assisted in every way in his power to promote its .welfare. . Along with tho olher speakers he wished Mr ■ and Mrs Dougherty every success and prosprosperity in their new home. As regarded Mr Cargill, he was sure that he' would givethem the same satisfaction tbat Mr Doug' herty had giveu them in the past ; at. least . he would do his best. Tbat the UnjoQ

fe'j.g-;'.;-', . I--. J_.-.-.'^ ' |". „' . ' - - -' - '- - ??*' Company," had done a great service for New oonld not*, be denied, in face had it Sjjf^ynot,: been for the Union Company he did fvfv; not know New Zealand would.be at the Sy.S; present time. Mr Finn concluded by provV;'•.-.- posing thff health of Mr Cargill, Mr Doug- , '"' . herty s successor. '•\/r._ Before the toast was honored Mr Pyke :;. '• , aaid that he bad been requested to apologise : ;-' • :for the absence of Captain Tucker, Captain ■fV : " : .Chrisp, Messrs Clark, Newman, Barker, J'- DobbieandSherratt. These gentlemen were ..'■*' very sorry that they were unable to be ' .preWnti at the send off to Mr Dougherty. '■-" -.: He endorsed all that the previous speakers ''■'. had. aaid regarding Mr Dougherty's genial - and- gentlemanly character and sterling : business qualities. As an old Otagoite he had great pleasure in welcoming Mr Cargill to their midst. The toast having been drunk with musical honors, Mr Gargill said that it was very gratifying to find, that after a sojourn of 48 hours in the town he was considered a jolly good fellow. - He hoped he wonld stand the test of time and merit the kind words that had been spoken about him.' He had some , doubts' as to what wonld be his proper course of action in Gisborne, whether he should pay all the shippers claims or refuse them : entirely (laughter).. He thanked them \ heartily for the good feeling they had ifjL extended to him, and he could only say that would do his best to maintained the 3?|^)nflly relations that had always existed si-rtween the Gisborne people and the Union Company (applause). Mr •Ferguson in a happy speech eulogised Mr Dougherty and while wishing him success • in his new sphere believed that Mr Cargill would make a worthy successor. Mr Townley said he hopod that Mr Caigill would use all his endeavors to bring the company's vessels such as the Southern Cross into the harbor. The Harbor Board were doing what they could to bring that about and he' trusted they would have the cooperation of the Union Company in the matter. Mr Harding said he had been requested by some of the gentlemen representing commercial houses in New Zealand to convey to Mr Dougherty their thanks for the many kindnesses he had shown them at different times when the boat used to arrive late at night. He never put them to any inconvenience that could be avoided. They had asked him to return their sincere thanks to Mr Dougherty, and he had much pleasure in bo doing. (Applause.) Mr Symes said that in losing Mr Dougherty he lost a great friend. He had shown him many kindnesses since he came to the Bay, and he was very sorry indeed that he was leaving. At the same time he hoped that his departure meant promotion. He was quite sure Mr Dougherty would find the New Plymouth people quite as good as those he was leaving behind. "Mr C. C. Lucas added a few words of thanks to Mr Dougherty for his many kindnesses, and referred in grateful terms to Mtb Dougherty's attention to the bowlers, Baying that she was responsible for many an afternoon's enjoyment on the bowling green. He wished both Mr and Mrs Dougherty happiness and prosperity in their new home. . Mr Ferguson by request gave a splendid rendering of the humorous Scotch song " He's a oronie o' mine," which was greatly enjoyed. - Cheers having been again given for Mr. and Mrs Dougherty the gathering terminated. «