PRESENTATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3736, 22 September 1886, Page 3

PRESENTATION.

Yesterday was ■witnessed one of those reunion* which tend to recall to mind the many happy and pleasant days spent m the company of the central figures of those ceremonies and to cause fellow-men to hold out tho hand of friendship to those who are about to depart from their midst to seek fortune m fields and pastures new, and whose absence causes a blank among the ranks of the many \rho wero assembled to bid an only too painful farewell to their parting friend. Wo refer to tho presentation which was made yesterday to Captain Bobert Storm, lat-e assistant harbourmaster to thoTimaru Harbour Board, •who took his departure for Melbourne last evening. When it became known that Captain Storm had tendered his resignation to the Harbour Board, very general regret was expressed that he had considered such a step necessary. Not wishing to let the opportunity slip by those with whom he had been connected during hia active duties m Timaru, for the last five years, determined to present him with some tangible token as a mark of the respect and esteem m which he had been held by those whom he had been brought m contact with, during the discharge of his duties. The presentation was mado shortly after noon yesterday, on the wharf, and a more fitting place could not have been chosen, situated as the wharf is about the centre of the scene •where Captain Storm's past duties had lain. Tho assemblage which congregated to bear testimony to the high abilities of Captain Storm, was a very representative one, comprising a number of the leading business men connected with shipping, and the wharf generally ; Captain Storm's fellow-employees, and a large number of friends. Captain T. Fogarty, the representative of the Bail way Department, m charge of the wharf, waa elected to preside, and after stating shortly the object for which they were assembled, called on Mr Hamilton, Clerk of Works to tho Harbour Board, to make the presentation m the namo of those assembled. Mr Hamilton, on stepping forward, said he hod Tory great pleasure, on behalf of Captain Storm's fellow-employees and a few gentlemen connected with the shipping interests of the port, m preeentiug Captain Storm with the purse of sovereigns those employees and gentlemen had so heartily subscribed. He assured Captain Storm that it was with the •very deepest regret that they had heard he had severed his connection with the harbour board and intended leaving the port. But as lie had made up his mind to do so, they had decided not to let him go without tendering him some mark of their esteem. He (Mr Hamilton) had never before been ponneoted with a thing of the kind that bad met with more hearty approval than had tbiß, or was moro heartily responded to by those appealed to. He only rogretted that the gift had not teen larger, but as it was contributed cheerfully, it would, he felt sure, be rondered doubly ewcet to the recipient. In handing the purse of sovereigns to Captain Storm, Mr Hamilton asked him, with it, to take the true old maxim, "Trifles show respect." Although Dame Fortune had not perhaps dealt rery well with Captain Storm, yet Mr Hamilton assured the captain that he had created all round him a host of warm-hearted friends, m whoso memories he weuld find a place for many years to come, and who were only too sorry that lie was to leave theii midst. In bidding good-bye to Captair Storm, Mr Hamilton said he knew it wbb the hope and wish of all those present that tb( next port he dropped his anchor m mighi provo a safer, surer and more comfortabli holding ground than the port of Timaru hac teen to him. Captain Storm, who was visibly affected expressed his heartfelt thaoks for the munifi cent gift that had that day beou presentee him, and said that as long as he lived hi should always remember, with inexpressibl feelings at pleasuro, the days he had spent ii Timaru. Ha was a man of few words, anc was not able to express himself as well as hi should like, but for all that, he assured thosi present that, he wat deeply gratef v} for the*

■ gift ; it was more thun ho deserved. (Cries i of " No, no.") > Ringing oheera were then givon for Captain r Storm, Mrs Storm, and "all tho little Storms," and after nil had heartily shaken hands with the captain, and wished him God speed, the proceedings terminated.