VALEDICTORY

Southland Times, Issue 17792, 22 July 1916, Page 5

VALEDICTORY

MR D. CUTHBERTSON FA HE WELLED BY TEE A, AND P. ASSOCIATION. Ur Denniston Cuthbertson, secretary of the Southland Metropolitan A. and P. Association, who is leaving: with the 19th Reinforcements, was entertained at a dinner by the directors in the Federal Tea Rooms yesterday. There were about 35 gentlemen present, and the vice-pre-sident of the Association (Mr A. S. Holms) presided. A number of apologies for non-attendance were received, each conveying best wishes to Mr Cuthbertson. After dinner had been partaken of, and the usual loyal toast proposed and honoured, (he chairman proposed the toast of “Qur Guest.” He said that most of those present had been closely associated with Mr Cuthbertson in connection with the Association, and they realised his great worth; in fact from the commencement the name of Cuthbertson had been one to conjure with. The Association would not be the same without him, and he hoped that soon they would have him back again. They realised the selfsacrifice that Mr Cuthbertson was making. and they wished him the best of luck and hoped that he would return safe and sound. .Anyone who had worked with their guest realised what an enthusiast he was; he was always optimistic, and the marvellous work he puts in during show time proved that he had the interests of the Association at heart. Not only in regard to his work in connection with the Association did they appreciate him, but as a personal friend also. They knew what a go>od fellow he was, a man whose word was his bond. He had much pleasure in handing Mr Cuthbertson a purse of sovereigns that had: been voluntarily subscribed by their guest’s friends in the Association, and he asked Mr Cuthbertson to accept it in the spirit it was ottered. Mr J. B. Sutton said that, speaking as an old identity, on every occasion he had occasion to do business with Mr Cuthbertson it had been transacted satisfactorily and agreeably. He esteemed their guest for his honour and his ability, and to whatever good luck or good wishes that might be conveyed to Mr Cuthbertson the speaker would say “Amen.” Mr Jas. Callendar said that he must heartily endorse' what had been said regarding Mr Cuthbertson, whose work they most sincerely and heartily appreciated. He had been in close contact with Mr Cuthbertson, and could speak with a personal knowledge of his work. He did not think that they could meet a more thorough, sincere or active secretary, for it was not only the time that he gave to hie work that had to be considered, but the acumen, forethought, and judgment that he brought to bear. If they found a man doing his work in the way the speaker had indicated, then it was only right that they should express appreciation of his services, especially at a time like the present when their guest was offering his services to his country, which many of them were too old to do. Just as Mr Cuthbertson had made such a success of his work with the A. and P. 1 Association, Mr Callendar said he believed that Mr Cuthbertson would be successful in the work he was entering into. They all sympathised with Mrs • Cuthbertson, and hoped with her that It would not be long before her husband returned safely to Invercargill. They 1 wished him God speed, a successful career, and a safe return. Mr W. A. Cox said that it gaye him very much pleasure to support the toast. Ever since he had had anything to do ’ with Mr Cuthbertson, their guest had • been foremost in bringing the Society to its present high pitch, and he hoped that Mr Cuthbertson would come back . and place the Association in a position i second to none in the colonies. It was owing to men like Mr Cuthbertson that Britain had been in the proud position of being able to raise voluntarily an army of three million men. It would be a proud thing for Mr Cuthbertson when he came back to be able to think of his present laudable action. He wished their guest a safe return, and hoped that Mrs Cuthbertson would soon have the pleasure of welcoming him bock. Mr John Gilkison stated that from his boyhood he had known their guest’s late father, and had attended school with his older brothers, and knew that an excellent home life had produced the product in evidence in their secretary. There was one thing that pleased the speaker at the present time, and that was that our fellows were sports; they knew how to play a losing game as well as a winning one. That was why he liked the present outlook, as the Germans were not sports, and when they were not winning their tails went down. He joined in wishing Mr Cuthbertson God speed. Mr E. B. Pilcher, on behalf of the Southland League, conveyed best wishes to Mr Cuthbertson. He did not think that ail tiie nice things that were being said about their guest would cause him to have a swelled head; he was not constituted that way; but the speaker thought that when Mr Cuthbertson returned it would be found that he had physically so benefitted that he would be even better able to fight the, battles of the Association than hitherto. ,Mr F. A. Price said that he had known Mr Cuthbertson from childhood, and had always held him and his family in the highest regard. The toast was drunk enthusiastically, and with musical honours. In responding, Mr Cuthbertson said that he thanked them very much indeed. He felt greatly honoured, and so long as he lived he would look back with pride to that day’s proceedings. He thanked his many old friends for their presence, and for the presentation they had made him. He had been connected witli the Association for over twenty years, and could truthfully say that he had its interests at heart. He was sorry that lie was leaving them at a time when the affairs of the / -'-iation required their very best attention in order to place it in a sound position, but the secretarial duties were being left in good hands. If lie had the. luck to come back, lie hoped to again take up the work with renewed energy in order to justify their appreciation of him. it might lie, that in regard to the war the beginning of the end was already in sight, hut, if he had tlie luck to get (here before final victory was achieved, lie hoped to keep his end up and so merit the good things that had been said about him. He thanked them for all they had said regarding him, and for all the kindness and consideration lie had received at their hands. Mr C, S. Longuest proposed the toast of "The mother and the wife of our Guest.” In doing so lie said that those present realised that the two ladies they were honouring would not do anything to prevent Mr Cuthbertson from taking ttie step tie had taken. Relatives were always proud of young men who took such | a step. Mrs Cuthbertson. senr.. was | well known to all, particularly to the ! old identities. .She was an old resident, j and had been a woman who had con- , initially gone about doing good. She ! had been one of the most charitable of i women, without guiie, pride, or any I nonsense about her. Mrs Cuthbertson, junr., was not so well known to them, I but she bad taken her part in public | life, and had earned the esteem of the I whole country. He hoped that thedr I guest would soon be again with his j mother and wife. j Mr ( ’uthbertson. in acknowledging, j said that he greatly appreciated the toast. Although a younger brother had | already gone to the front, his mother had never said a single word against the ' speaker's going. As for his wife, she j was lire daughter of a soldier: ail her people were soldiers, and. naturally, site had approved of his action. (Ap- ' plause). | The gathering dispersed after a verse i of "AuUI Lang Syne” hud been sung.