POPULAR CITIZEN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 2 June 1926, Page 9

POPULAR CITIZEN.

Mil HOLE’S RETIREMENT,

The" esteem awl regard in which Mr 'John Hole is universally regarded pa - ticu arly. bv his busings associates, was evidenced in the large gathering of members o£ the Licensed Association at the Grosvcnoi Hotel yesterday afternoon, to mark thei occasion of his retirement from active participation in business. Mr It. Marshall, who presided ovei a large attendance, read a list ot apologies from members of the: tratio from the outlying districts, who expressed their wishes for a pleasant gathering and a happy retirement lot the guC3t of honour. Mr Marshall said that tbo large attendance that afternoon -was a rttnkpirr tribute to tlie popularity of their rroest. They felt that they con'd not let the occasion pass without rciernng to the great services rendered to tho trade generally by Mr John Hole. Ill", energy m«i»r>ty and wondevinl p?r sonalitv, Mr. Hole had not onTy built np a great business, but at the present time, not even among opponents to the trade, could- it-he said that he even had one enemy in Timaru. (Applause.) He was known'as the “Lather” of tho trade, and had been always ready to help and advise anybody that came to him for assistance. On behalf of tho Association lie wished Mr Hole cveiy luippiriess in his well-earned retirement. Mr Hole’s health mas then drunk with musical honours. On behalf of the Licensed Victuallers ■Association, Mr Marshall asked Mr Hole to accept a well equipped canteen of cutlery and a handsome china cabinet for Mrs Hole, as a small token of the high regard in which both _ were ;he!d by members of the Association. ' r hc civ irp-" mU iv-’inr'--- _ we"” endorsed bv Messrs 13.l 3 . Reilly, T. Connolly, T~ Yarr, C. A. Clark, W. Coombs, and C. Maitland.

On rising to reply, Mr Hole was greeted with sustained applause. Ho said that he had been present at many send-ofl*, and on the present occasion felt that he was attending bis own farewell. He bad known a number of those present fer many years, and ho appreciated very much tire fact that they had felt it necessary to commemorate the occasion with such a gathering and such handsome presents. He also very much appreciated the many kind remarks that had been passed, and fe t that the best asset a man could have was the goodwill of his fellow citizens. Tn the early days the trade had not been regarded in a very favourable light, and ho was very pleased to ho able to say that that state of affairs had been very much altered. His association with tho trade had been one of the most pleasant experiences of his life, and during his term as president of the local Association he had mct_ with nothing but goodwill and the loyal support of all members. He bud certainly done his best to help the town along, but considered that was only tho duty of every citizen, and was deserving of no extra recognition. Towards his fellow citizens he bad also always tried to do his best, and if anything that he had been able to do bad been appreciated, be had received snitab’c reward. Tll conclusion, Mr Hole paid a tribute to the excellent service rendered lo the Assncinlion bv Mr RlMarslmCi (president’) and All- W. I). Revel I (secretary), and on behalf of Mrs Hole expressed bis gratitude for tin* very handsome and appropriate gilts presented. (Applause.) Opportunity was also taken to extend a lieartv welcome to Mr 11. Mayes, Mr Hole’s successor.