PRESENTATION TO A. M. CLARK.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 1832, 6 August 1895, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO A. M. CLARK.

The late employees of Mr A. M. Clark met m the Royal Hotel, Temuka, on Saturday evening last where a social m Mr A. M. Clark's honour was held. The attendance was good. Mr Robert Edgar occupied th« chair, on hia right being the' guest of . the' evening, and Mr J. McColl occupied the vice-chair. The chairman explained that the object of the gathering was to do honour to their old employer, Mr Clark, and he was glad to see so many present. Mr Clark and himself had had a good few dealings together and always cot on well. He aJ3ked Mr McColl to make a presentation, and Mr McColl m a few feeling words presented Mr Clark with the following address : —

;' "To A. M. Cluvk, Esq. Dear sir,— The working men of Temuka and surrounding district who have been connected with work over which you have had control during your residence here, desire to express their regret at your deuarture from this neighbourhood and their loss m losing an employer, who always showed every consideration for his employees, who were honestly doing their work. We are pleased that you have settled not far away from us, but that opportunities may arise by which we may at some time be brought into the same mutually satisfactory relations that have existed between us' in the past, and we beg to assure you that we shall always have for you the greatest respect. Trusting that prosperity and happiness may follow, you and your family, we are, yours respectfully, — John McColl, James Stewart, Robert lidgar, John Cassidy, John Jones, Peter Wilson, James Milne, Hugh McColl, W. R. Mackay, John McAuliffe, Geo. Hartley, Alex. Geddes, John Mclntyre, Henry Elkis, Daniel McCaskill." The address was a beautifully illuminated piece of work, and reflected great credit on the artist, Mr G. W. Wade. _ Air McColl, m making the presentation, spoke of the excellent qualities of Mr Clark. He had been working for him for 19 years, and never worked for a better man. He had always got good advice from him. He hoped Mr Clark would accept the address, not alone for its value, but for the esteem m which he was held by his late employees. (Applause.) Several of the employees fully endorsed the statements of the last speaker. Mr Clark, m responding, was received with applause, said he did not like to reply at once, as Mr McColl was more of a friend of his than an employee, and he would only have broken down. He thanked the employees for their kind expressions and the address. He had always tried to act honestly with his men. Having had a great deal of experience he was able to judge of a mail's qualities. He felt highly honoured at having been asked to meet them ; it was an honour that few men ever received.

The chairman then proposed the health of Mr Clark, which was drunk with musical honours. Mr Clark feelingly replied,

Other toasts were proposed — "The Chairman" (by Mr Clark), "Old Employees " (by Mr Clark), " Mrs Clark and Family" (by the chairman), " Host and Hostess " (by the chairman), all of which were responded to, and expressions of good feelings passed. Mr Mason, chairman of the Town Board, and Mr Luxford, of the Bank of New Zealand, also spoke, and wished Mr and Mrs Clark and family health and prosperity. Mr Whitehead and Mr McAuliffe contributed songs during the evening, and the proceedings closed by singing " Auld Lang Syne."