VALEDICTORY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16040, 26 January 1918, Page 6

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATION TO MB.. P. N. JEFFREYS. BY LOCAL BUSINESS MEN. On Friday afternoon, in order to say good-bye and to express their appreciation of his business methods, a number of leading business men of Aow Plymouth waited upon Mr. P. N. Jeffreys (who has been promoted to the charge of the Union Company’s branch at Greymouth). Mr. C. H. Burgess (Mayor of New Plymouth) said the deputation, which iiad necessarily been very hastily got' together, wished to express their sincere, regret that Mr. Jeffreys was to be transferred from New Plymouth to Greymouth. He had also to express, on behalf of the business portion of the community their very great appreciation of the manner in which Mr. Jeffreys had conducted the work of his office. (Applause). In their dealings with him they had always received at liis hands nothing but the greatest of courtesy and the greatest of help. Everyone knew that in this time of war, shipping arrangements were anything but regular, but at all times when he was approached for information Mr. Jeffreys had given every possible assistance. They wished to congratulate him—for they knew the company would not think of transferring him unless ii meant promotion—and to wish him every success in his new position. The Mayor then presented Mr. Jeffreys with'a handsome silver tea service as a small token of the sincere good wishes of the business people of the town. He expressed the hope that Mr. Jeffreys and his family might live long to enjoy the gift. (Applause). Mr. Walter Weston, vice-president of the Employers’ Association, said that in the absence of the president, Mr, Brooking, it fell to him to add tho congratulations of the association to what had been said by Ith© Mayor. They wore very sorry Mr. Jeffreys was leaving them, but they knew it war, well-deserved promotion. Ho was sony Greymouth was looked upon as bigger than New Plymouth, but of course the Union Company’s interests there must be infinitely greater. In any dealing between his office and the Union Company, Mr. Jeffreys, while doing his duty, to the .company, had always given Him fair.' honest treatment. This had been tho case?; too, with the other business men of the town, and on behalf of the association which he represented he desired to agaih congratulate Mr. Jeffreys on his piomotiou. • ' Mr. S. W. Shaw, on behalf of Mr. Newton King said he wished to support what had bean raid. The firm’s relations with Mr. Jeffreys Ifad always been marked by tho entire absence of ary friction whatever, and it had been a real pleasure to do business with him. (Hear, hear). In the course of any dealings Mr. Jeffreys had alwayS kept up his end for tho company, but he had always been most courteous and fair to the other party. Mr. Shaw expressed his best wishes for Mr. Jeffrey’s future success, and, hoped that when the direct boats from Sydney c-me to New Plymouth they would get Sir. Jeffrcvs hack again. Mr. A. Goldwater said he would like to add his little mead. Ho bad to thank Mr. Jeffreys very much for the work he bad done during bis period here as manager, and it was bis experience that any lnisin?s§_ which he had with the company was made very much easier by Mr. Jeffrey’s willing help and consideration. He wished to congratulate him heartily on his promotion. ■ Mr. J. R. Cruickshank said his firm’s interests brought him somewhat along the lines of competition with Mr, Jeffreys, and that was the supremo test of a man’s sterling worth. It had always been a pleasure to discuss difficulties wit’u Mr. Jeffreys, for he was ever ready to give advice and assistance, Hi? shipping interests at Greymouth were to ho congratulated on having Mr. Jeffreys as the manager for the company at that port. Mr. J. Patou, representing the New Zealand Insurance Company, said his dealings with Mr. Jeffreys had always been most pleasant. Naturally they had both carefully watched their company’s interests, but there was never any" fear that Mr. Jeffreys would not give him a fair deal. Their relations had always been most pleasant. Mr. Burgess said that was what it was—Mr. Jeffreys was always so courteous and straight in his dealings that it was n pleasure oven to be on the losing side. Mr. Fred. Watson said he had had a. great deal to do with Mr. Jeffreys both in the way of importing and exporting, and also in tho competitive line. Ho expressed his pleasure at Mr. Jeffreys’ promotion and his regret at New Plymouth’s loss. __ Mr. Jeffreys, in reply, said no had to thank them all most heartily for this expression of their regard for him. He scarcely knew whether all the kind things that had been said that afternoon were deserved. He had, in addition to watching the company’s interests, always made it a point to seo that the interests of the client wore looked after too. It had been a pleasure to him to be 2i years in New Plymouth, for he had made many friends during that time, and; he was sorry to be leaving them. He r could only say again: “Thank you, most heartily.” “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was then sung, followed by cheers for Mr. Jeffreys, his wife, and children. In addition to tho speakers named, tho following gentlemen were also present: Messrs. W. J. Penn, B. P. Webster, John Avery, D. K. Morrison, T. Avery, H. Cocker, W. Amhury. The Mayor announced that he had to apologise for tho president and vicepresident of the Chamber of Commerce who were both out of town, also Messrs. J. D. Sole, R. T. M'Qnade, G. Ramson. Newton King, T. C. List, and very many others who would have liked to be present had there been time to lot thorn know earlier. Mr. Jeffreys left for Greymouth today.