A POPULAR STATIONMASTER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVI, Issue 14858, 30 September 1912, Page 3

A POPULAR STATIONMASTER.

«► Mil J. P. JIATiIivTOX aUNOUIKO U. Turner ;olA'.irm.ai <,f tim Ch-tiuhsr x Uimiw'.v:. . . .>. Jc,y.,oul, ■». J. fUiv.-!.-.-,, (J. K. A. CYa-.Y-Cr,;. : ',,..!•:. U. :" : .\j:"'-. U. 11. Kii'.l. 1\ 1 1 . Young. J. T,. W. R. Poar■■ou, L'. A. Jliu-.ui, H. J. ilor-JUi a.'d othcn;. Apo.,v;.. ;ji I'.::- unavoidable üb:»iife wore ivcoivei.i i'rui.l li:'.s the .Mayor and ii-teen other prominent Mr TiT.v-r v. as v-.,tcd to the cha : r. A good ?nj.. (■:• was provided, iu.d the function pas-itd oil verv pleas- i a-ntly. • |

The chairman, in propesir.;; the toaet of the s-aid that- m the departure o: .Mr 3!ai.h l woii, aJ! recognised that they weie lcsn>;; a man. Tima.ru !:au beci speciajiy iMVoiued wit.ii j.o. d statioiniiiis-icr.;, such as -Uejsrs Joiite, ivieintyre, llarujs, Graham and Matie.sou. Mr Aiaiheson had i>eriormeu I.U dat'.os with discretuui und had '.von ti,_- re-pect of tlie imbiio by hi.-, eu-.irte-. v.iuie at ;ho time ho ii : .d i'uithlV.lv fulfilloj his dutie., to thu LV-a.rtmen.. His aciistatice and tact had been greatly appreaud on b.ha,f of tlie Ch-im'.-or ::' Commorco the tpealter had tc sp.viaJiy thank Sir Jlathescn for his generosity and a.'-Ki.-.taneo iu placing matters before the Department. Their depu-tintj friend was worthy -of respect also, as a man of quality and character. In regard to shipping Mr ll.tthuion had always done his best with the facilities at hs disposal. a.id had always given a. ?air and square deal. The ciuirnian asked all to join in honouring "Our C4iiest. Mr Muthe-on," to whom he would express vishes of Ileal tn. wealth and prosperity in his new sphere. (Applause.)

The toast was enthusiastically honoured, and "For he's a jolly good fellow" was sung in hearty "style. Other speakers were—Messrs J. 1.. Gillies, AV. Priest. T. D. Young. R. Cuthbert, C. Sutherland, G. Partridge E. A. Crawford, and H. B. Kirk, eacli of wh<im spoke in flattering terras cf the departing siationma.Tter. Mr H. B. Kirk made the presentation, which consisted of a well filled purse of sovereigns. It was liis pleasant duty, lie remarked, to offer Mr Matheson "a sm-11 bag of golden bonds, and he war satisfied, as they all were, that he could not place them in better hands. Mr Matheson had always done hii best, and had given the marimnm of satisfaction in de-ling with the public. They were all sincerely sorry at his departure, but were glad to hoar of h's promotion, which was very well mcrted. He concluded by wishing Mr and Mrs Matheson all success in Lyttelton. and honed that the former wei:ld so:-.n attain the position of Ministo- of Railways. (Applause).

Mr Mnthesra. on r ; s. : i>g to replv. war Tociferouslv applauded. He thanked one and all. on behalf of his wife and family, for the re'r.-.rln mafV and for the toast po hc-p.rHlv honoured.. JTe w : shed deep'y to acknowledge their gift. It was not V'thwrfc regret that he was about to leave Timaru, where he had spent four of the mo<rt eniovahle vc-ars of his life. In reeard to' his busing it should be reeceni'.ed 'hat the people oovld l'.o!-> h'rn a.s miy'i as 113 could help them. "The accommodation at t!ie Tittinru station was insufficient f. r cop~ with the t'lffie. which was ra:vd'v increasinc. b-.it TiTOarir brVr-vs men bad taken any set-hc«ks in this regard in pood part. He had no but ihat etton^. : cns irotiVl s-on be made bv the iDooartment. Ti was always wise n"t to promotion in tly* s.orviee, w'se he world have been onite w.t'sn.-d io end hi s days hero. . Mr Bean, his Bocees«i>r. was a capable officer and on o'd friend of his. He was certain that T"marn would scon realise that they had a fine man in Mr Bean. ItTras very satisfa'iyiry tn know on. V-.vinn-a place thai one had the good wishes nf fhe ceop'e. because tbev irp» the T mari people -were reasonable and that was whv it was pl"-sant to work' for ffrnv He wsb l->okinc forward, to v r s : t_ ing Timaru during h's heydays +0 enlov h : s favorrite r-est'rre—?n.<rlinT. He eonclrdod bv a-ain hearti'v +:bfli.>;r.!: all Tvesent for the honour conferred •upon liim. (Amiirf. .A oord'al welcome was then extended to Mr successor, and Mr B"an made appropriate ar>knc.wlode:meni cf the cnTnn'hnen-'-, paid b''-e. His en. oVivour wonld be to fcl'ow in Mr Mathoson's stops and give a fair d?al to all. (Applause).