PRESENTATION AT MATAURA.

Southland Times, Issue 16689, 18 March 1911, Page 2

PRESENTATION AT MATAURA.

TO MB JOHN PENNY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Between fifty and sixty leading citizens assembled in McGregor's Hall (Mataura) on Thursday, to give a sendoff banquet to Mr John Penny, manager of the Bank of Now Zealand, who lias been transferred to Rakaia. The Mayor (Mr A. Balneaves) presided, and was supported on his left by G. .1. Anderson, M.P. After orthodox toasts had hern honoured, the Mayor proposed ■■Our Guest,” and in doing so spoke of Mr Penny’s long connection with the town as bank manager for something like twenty-four years. During that time he had identified himself with every institution and movement for the advancement of the district and the benefit of the citizens; and the people of .Mataura and districts could not let him leave without presenting him with a mark of their esteem and high appreciation of his worth as a citizen. On their behalf, therefore, lie presented Mr Penny with a silver tea and coffee service. Messrs W. Macandrew, A. Grierson, J. Lowden, J. E. Humphries, W. Carver, J. Waddell, G. J. Anderson, M.P,, and Rev. G. McDonald all spoke in high terms of Air Penny as a business man, and of his untiring service as a good citizen and a leader of every good movement in the town, and one who bad left monuments behind him of his good work. Air Penny very feelingly replied. lie said how highly lie appreciated their great kindness at a time like this; it helped to assuage the pang at parting. It was 'no light thing for a man to break up his home, and leave a district where he had spent the best part of Ills lifetime, where lie had married and brought up a young- family, and where tie had formed so many associations, lie thanked them very cordially for the many good tilings they had said about him. He had only tried to do his duty botli as a banker and as a citizen, and lie would ever retain a warm side for Alataura. This toast was accompanied with musical honours and cheers, which were very hearty. The next toast was “Commerce,” proposed by Air Hugh Cameron and responded to by Air John Dunn; then followed "Agriculture,” proposed by Mr J. E. Humphries and responded to by Air J. Waddell. The health of Mr Penny’s successor (Air Pigeon) was then proposed by Air F. J. Sherwood and was drunk with musical honours. Mr Pigeon in replying, thanked them for the warm hearted manner in which they had drunk his health and for the kind compliments they had paid him. He hoped, and believed, that the same kindly feeling that had existed between them and their late banker would still continue between himself and them. The speeches and toasts were interspersed with songs by Alessrs J. Abernetiiy, A. X. AlcGibbon, Ewen Cameron; recitations by Air W. Alacaudrew and Mr W. Muir junr. In closing as a last item Air Abernclliy sang “Will ye no come back Again,” the company joining in the chorus with fine effect. “Auld Lang Syne” and "God Save the King” brought the gathering to a close. Air Wheeler presided at the piano. Mrs Penny was also entertained by Airs A. N. AlacGibbon on Wednesday afternoon, when a large number of ladies foregathered and presented Airs Penny with a dressing case as a token of their high esteem.