VALEDICTORY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10692, 16 May 1906, Page 3

VALEDICTORY.

FAREWELL TO MR W. B. COMMON. This afternoon, at the office of Messrs Common, Sheltuu and Co., a gathering representative of mercantile interests and the pastoral industry met to say farewell to Mr W. B. Common, who is leaving for England by steamer this evening. Mr J. B. Kells, manager of Messrs Common, Shelton and Co.. briefly explained the object of their meeting, together. He feared it Mas tlie last time they would have Mr Common with them, as he understood he was not likely to return to the colony again. Mr A. F. Kennedy, local manager of Messrs Williams and Kettle, said he was very pleased to be present, and to have the honor of proposing the toast, the health of Mr-Common, who was leaving the colony, taking tlie very hearty good wishes of many friends. He sincerely : hoped he would have long and prosperous years m which to enjoy the res*t and ; pleasures due to him after a strenuous business life. He had been associated wHh Mr Common many years, for about twenty-eight years ago iv Napier he had filled the position of junior m Mr Common's office Since Mr Common's return to Gisborne their relations had been thc pleasantest, whilst the friendship of Mrs Common was very dear m the social circle. To Mr and Mrs Common they wished long life and prosperity, and a pleasant voyage. Mr W. K. Chambers said lie felt compelled, as an old resident of the district, to say a few Mords of parting. Mr Com. mon liad been one of the earliest commercial men to arrive m the Bay ; m fact, h e Mas only preceded by Mr Duncan Ross, after Captain Reid retired from business. In the whole of the district he believed there was no one more liked than Mr Common — (applause) — and he much regretted th»t be M"us leaving them. He had M-orbed hard, and was entitled to his reward, and he hoped that he would long enjoy thc fruits of his labor. Mr F. W. Williams, of Napier, said lie had known Mr Common many years ago. wlnen he was m btuviiiew? m the firm of Messrs Murray, Common and Co., m Napier, and i.t gave him much pleasure : n attending the function. He joined m wishing him good-bye, and m the good wishes for the future happiness that he M-ell deserved. The toast of Mr and Mm Common was duly honored. Mr Common, who was heartily applauded on -rising, said he had to thank the speakers very much for thc kind words which had been said, which he felt were a high compliment. He had been close on 30 years m business m this district, except *for the short time he had been m Ohristchurch, and dunng the time he had been m Gisborne he had spent matny happy days. He was only sorry that lie was forced to give up business. Mr Common referred to the many cluinges that had taken place during that thirty years, through people passing away a=nd others being brought to tlie front. He thanked tihem heartily for their kind expressions -of goodwill towards Mrs Common and himself, and concluded by wishing every prosperity and soccers to the firm of 'Common, Shelton and Co. under its new management. "The Staff of Common, Shelton and Co." Mas then proposed "by Mr Common, who coupled it with the name of Mr J. B. Kells, the manager. Mr Common spoke eulogisdicallv of the staff, who had good qualifications, and did tlieir duty as far as they could. Mr Kells. m reply, gave hearty thanks on behalf of the staff for tlie manner m which the toast had been drunk. As for himself, he recognised what <i good man he had to follow m Mr Common, and knew it was a big order to undertake, hut he would not have aspired to the position Mere it not that he had a very capable staff with hint, who could do "their work without any need for interference on his part. Things were going on smoothly, and he regarded himself m the position of the man M-ith the oilcan — he was there just to 6ee that. the wheels were kept going. After bidding farewell to Mr Common, and wishing Mrs Common and him bon | voyage, the gathering dispersed.