PRESENTATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13832, 18 February 1909, Page 3

PRESENTATION.

TO MR A. GRAHAM. Last evening a number of business men, together with representatives of the carriers and cabmen of Timoru met m the Arcade Cafe to make a presentation to Mr A. Graham, the late stationmaster, who lias recently been transferred to Port Chalmers. When Mr Graham left a few weeks ago, the notice of his departure was so short that .there was no time to get up any formal farewell ceremony, but business men thought that- the good service done by the genial railway official was worthy or a substantial recognition. In the unavoidable absence of Mr J. Hole, Mr T. D. Young was voted to the chair, and opened the proceedings by reading out a lis.t of names o£ those who had sent in apologies for absence. The chairman, after the usual loyal toast had teen honoured, proposed the toast of the guest of the evening, Mr A. Graham, which was tfcunk with I great enthusiasm and ■ accompanied by musical honours. The chairman said that Air Graham had recently been transferred to Port Chalmers. The idea of a presentation to Mr Graham had been enthusiastically taken up by a large number of people, and had met with considerable support. He thought they would all admit that their late stationmaster had done a great deal for the people of Timaru in general, mid the business men in particular, and though there had doubtless been a certain amount of grumbling amongst some who thought they had been hardly dealt witli in the matter of trucks, yet Mr Graham had clone his best both for his employers, the Government, and the public. Anyone in Mr Graham's position was held in the bonds of red tape td a certain extent, and might not be able to do all that he might feel inclined to do fur his numerous 'clients. Nevertheless he could safely say without fear of contradiction that "a more courteous and obliging official was never on the Timaru platform. (Applause.) The chairman then made the presentation to Mr Graham. of a handsome gold hunting watch and gold sovereign case, suitably engraved, and added the wish that* the recipient might long be spared to use both the gifts. Mr J. Hurdley expressed his pleasure at being present, and corroborated the chairman's eulogistic remarks, adding that Mr Graham's generous nature had always prompted him to come forward among the first to relieve any cases ot distress that might occur in the town or district. Mr D Moore said he had known Mr Graham since 1889, when he was in Gore' and in 1909 he still found him the same kindly and courteous man he had alwavs been. . "Air H. B.- Kirk spoke highly ot his cordial business relations with the guest of the evening, and wished him the best of health and prosperity in his new sphere. , , ~ Mr J Gale also referred to the able manner in which Mr Graham carried out his arduous duties, and contrasted the present facilities for the transaction of business with the chaos that sometimes, reigned before Mr Graham came to Timaru. Sub-Inspector Green testified to esteem in which Mr Graham was held and the smart way he performed his tasks and concluded with good wishes for their guest's future welfare. Mr S Mcßride said he had never come in contact with Mr Graham officially, but he could say that in private life he had always found him the best of companions and a right good fellow. Messrs Orwin, W. Angland and VV. Mr.Bride all endorsed the sentiments of the previous speakers and expressed their regret at the departure of Mr Graham and voiced the hope that good fortune would attend him in his new place of residence. On behalf of the carriers and cabmen of Timaru Mr J. Davidson, after a short but highly eulogistic speech, presented Mr Graham with a splendid dressing case, fitted with all the necessaries of the toilette.

In responding, Mr Graham, after fchanking the tiuiiuis ot the presents most sincerely tor their handsome gifts said he had ueen in 'timaru tor nearly five years and during that time he had grown to like the place aim the people very much. He could honestly say thac he had always, m his official capacity, tried to do his duty with strictness and impartiality ana as fairly as possible both to his employers and to the public. (Hear hear;. Perhaps he had trodden upon the corns of some people, but in carrying out duties such as his some people s feelings were almost bound to get hurt. He had quarrelled with the chairman about trucks, but he was happy to say that the quarrel was entirely without malice, and he was sure that no viiKiiciiVi.-n.-s.-i was feiton either side. However, even though he felt he would like to oblige peopie sometimes, the line had to be drawn because of various circumstances over which he personally had no ( control. During the time of his service in Timaru he had always tried to preserve good-fellowship among the men and could say he had succeeded fairly well. He was proud to say that he left Timaru a station up-to-date in nearly every particular, and considerably different to what he found it. The section of line over which he had charge was a large one, extending from the Rangitata to Pukeuri Junction and the interests of the settlers and their traffic he had always made his special business to look after. Mr Graham concluded with tracing the growth of the railway traffic in Timaru during the past five years and drew attention to the prices now charged for transhipments, which he characterised as outrageous. After again thanking those present for the handsome present and the public of Timaru for the uniform courtesy that had been extended to him. Mr Graham sat down amid loud applause. Further toasts honoured were, Local Industries, proposed by Mr Orwin and responded to by Messrs Kirk, Harris, and Palleson ; the Army and Navy, proposed by Mr D. , Moore and responded to by Mr Stephens and Local Bodies, proposed by Mr Kirk and responded to by Messrs Harney and Satterthwaite. Musical items, were rendered by Messrs Crawford, Mcßride and Orwin, and an enjoyable gathering terminated at a later hour.