VALEDICTORY.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11966, 20 June 1907, Page 1 (Supplement)

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATION TO EX-CON-STABLE JEFFREYS. On the 23rd May, at the Harbor Board's Office, a presentation oF a purse of sovereigns, subscribed to by residents of the Port and City, was made- to ex-Constable John Jeffreys, who recently retired from the Police Force after 43 years' service. The Hon. R. Keeves, M.L.C. occupied the chair, and there were a number of representative citizens' present. In making the presentation, the Chairman said he had known Mr J.' if revs for over 40 years, and in the e:u!y"days he was one of the most active members of the Polico Force. Mr Jeffreys had always done bis duty courteously and well, and while it afforded him great pleasure to make the presentation, bo expressed reyret that in Mr Jeffrey's departure from Nelson they were losing a good citizen and a good man. (Applause). Mr \V. Lock was pleased to recognise tho good services rendered this Colony by Mr Jeffrey:!, as a police oiucer'of -13 years standing. He whs a man of ability and independence, and had been eminently fitted for a Police officer, tie hoped he would be spared lonr to enjoy his well-earned ret'rempnfc. Mr MeKonzie, M.H.R., said it eff ).rdo(l him great pleasure co be present to do honor to Mr Jeffreys, whom he had known for many years. Mr Jeffreys had always; dischagred his duties, which at times had been unpleasant, in rt'n agreeable manner, and to the entiro satisfaction of the people of every place in which he had been stationed. He had left, the Force with the good opinion of his superior officers and of the public he had served for over 40 years. Mr W. Rogers (Anchor S. and F. Co.), who had known Mr Jeffreys for 25 years, said he always found him a courteous and obliging officer, and hoped Mr Jeffreys would accept their gift as a mark of esteem from tho residents of the Port. Sergeant Dougan said he had been associated with Mr Jeffreys for the past five years, and he was very sorry that ho. had retired from the Force. Mr Jeffreys was an honest and straightforward man. aud. as other speakers bad said, a courteous and obliging officer. He hoped Mr Jeffreys "would spend the remainder of his deys in peace and comfort. Mr Jeffreys, who on rising to reply was received with applause, said he wns completely taken by surprise, tho first intimation he had of the presentation being from a man who a few minutes before hsd told him he was sorry he could not be present. Ho expressed his thantrs for the gift and for the kiud words that had beon spoken by the Chairman and other geatlemsn. He had always endeavored to do his > duty j fearlessly, and ho ■ was gratified to think he had the goodwill of the people with whom he had lived. He concluded by again expressing his thanks for the kind words that had been spoken by the representatives of the public and his late superior officer. Hearty cheers were then given for Mr and Mrs Jeffreys and family, "For he's a Jolly Good Fellow" also being sung with enthusiasm. The gathering then dispersed. Departure of an Athlete.—Constable Thomasson has received notice of his transfer, on promotiop, to Bruonerton. Mr Thomaason will be greatly missed in athletic circles, he having been a most enthusiastic member of the Nelson Athletic and Cycling Club during his residence|in Nelson. At present Mr Thomasson is the New Zealand amateur champion in putting the shot, and runnerup in the amateur championship high jump, for which he hold 9 tho standard cap and badge. Valedictory. —A large number of athletes assembled at the Wakatu Hotel club room on Saturday evening to bid farewell to Mr G. Thomasson, who left for Brunnerton on Sunday. Mr E. S. Creswell (a vicePresident of the Nelson Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club) occupied tho chair, and in proposing the health of tbe guest of ~the evening, referred to tb« splendid services Mr Thomasson bai rendered the club both as a competitor and as a cornmi IteemaD. Mr Tbomagson was, he said, a true amateur and that meant a good sport, who competed for the love of athletes and not for the reward. He recommended all young athletics to follow the sterling example set by Mr Tboinasson. He ; referred to the faut that the Wellington Centre had gained the Shield at the recent "athletic championship ; meeting at Christchurcb, and Messrs , Thomasson and Uook, two members of tho. Nelson Club, (which was affiliated to the WeUington centre), had contributed largely towards securing i the trophy, the former winning the Putting the Shot competition, and the latter the 120 yards hurdles. In s all probability Nelson would be a I centre before long, and as Mr Thomasson was going to fi place where there was no amateur club he trusted he would remain a member of tbe Nelson Club, and make one of the team which he hoped would compete at future championship meet jngs. ; He then handed Mr Thomasson a silver egg cruet from the members ; of the Nelson Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club as a token of their esteem and goodwill. Other speakers • having spoken in eulogistic terms of ) the good services rendered the club i by Mr Thomasson, the health of the j departing athlete was drunk with i musical honors. In thanking those . present, for their kind remarks, and • the members of the club for their handsome present Mr Thomasson . said anything that he had done for the club bad been for the love of the I sport. He referred to tbe evening sports meetings inaugurated last . and expressed the hope that they year, would be continued this season. He regarded them as the best means of encouraging young athletes and be urged members to foster the spirit of amateurism, which meant clean 3port. Other toasts were honored, including "Kindred Sports," pro--1 posed by Mr H. Milner, who, in the 1 course of his remarks, said that in Mr Smith, Nelson, he considered had one of the best footballers in thfi ' colony, and one who should have 1 been chosen to represent the South 1 Island in their recent match against 1 the North Island. On a rceent visit [ to other centres in the colony he had ; seen members of the. redoubtable L "All Black" team play and his I opinion (which was endosed by othei persons who had seen Mr Smith play) was that he was their equal in many • respects and should have been sel ected. (Applause). Other toasts ! having been honored a pleasant evening terminated with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne. "—On Saturday j evening Mr Thomasson was the recipient of a purse of sovereigns from 1 his comrades in the Police force. Sergeant Dougan, in .making tbe ' presentation, referred to the pleasant ' associations that had existed between I Mr Thomasson, his comrades and himself during the three years Mr ' Thomasson bad been stationed in . Nelson, and while regietting his departure was pleased that his transfer 1 meant promotion. Mr Thomasson I suitably replied,