PRESENTATION TO DREDGEMASTER DONALDSON.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4895, 28 September 1901, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO DREDGEMASTER DONALDSON.

The directors of the Tuapeka Dredgiug Co. (Limited) on Thursday night presented Mr John Donaldson, late dredgemaster of the Tuapeka dredge with a handsome marble clock with a suitable inscription on a silver plate.

'ihe Chairman of directors {Mr B. Hart), in making the presentation, referred to the good work done by Mr Donaldson during bis term of office as dredgemaster. He need not say how sorry they all were to lose his services.he having voluntarily resigned in order to improve his position. While in the com pay's employ Mr Donaldson at all times had the interest and welfare of the company afc heart, and, like a £ood skipper, was always afc bis post in the hour of danger night or day; and hence the success that had attended his labors as evidenced by the regularity of dividends during his tenure of office. He was well abreast of the times in dredging knowledge and knew how to work his dredge with economy and efficiency. In river dredging he bad a long training and experience and had also proved himself a past master in the art of flat dredging, combined qualifications that would ensure him success in any position he undertook and as an all-round dredgehand his services were invaluable.

Each of the other directors testified to Mr Donaldson's ability and efficiency, and all expressed regret at losing his services and unfeigned pleasure. at his well-deserved promotion.

Mr Donaldson, iv reply, said he felt at a loss to find words to express his thanks for the valuable present handed to him that night, also for the many kind things tbat the chairman and directors had thought fie to say about him. He had simply done his duty and endeavored to carry out his work as their dredgemaster to the best of his knowledge and ability. If his labors had been attended with success the company was principally indebted to the directors, who were all thoroughly practical men and understood the working of a dredge perhaps better than himself. With such a directorate the duties of dredgemaster were comparatively lighfc, and he might say that if all directors were equally capable there would be fewer failures in dredging companies and greater confidence in the mining industry. The same gentlemen practically directed the operations of three local companies —the Reliance, Evans Flat and Tuapeka, and in none of these do we hear of preference shares, debentures or liquidations, whioh is mainly attributable to their knowledge and foresight as practical men. These were, perhaps, the three cheapest and most efficient dredges in the district for the work which they were designed to carry out. Although he had left the employ of the company to improve his position be would always have a warm corner in his heart for the Tuapeka dredge and felt sure that his successor (Mr Montgomery) would give every satisfaction. He would treasure the present they had given him as a memento of the happy days passed in the company's employ and again tendered his sincere thanks to the directors for their kindness and conrtesy.