PRESENTATION

Western Star, 31 March 1911, Page 2

PRESENTATION

Upwards ol soveutty citizens assemb 'held in the Town Uali on Tuesday evening, ttx spend a social hour with. Mr Cavell, postmaster, who has been promoted to the position of Inspector at Christchurch. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J, It, Mills) presided, and Said that when it became known that their Worthy friend and citizen was about to leave them they thought U

would bo proper, in some way, to show their appreciation oi him. ft had, therefore, been decided to make him a presentation, and he had fdeasure in requesting the member lor Wallace tMr d. C. Thomson ) to perform, that ceremony.

in doing so Mr Thomson said while they all regretted the necessity for the gathering, still they were all pleased to be present to do honour

to a gentleman whom the Mayor .ad called their worthy friend and citizen. Mr Cavell had been wHth them us postmaster for eight years and by bis uniform courtesy, consideration and tact, coupled with the highest elliciency in the office, he had proved himself to be a most valuable officer—one who had earned the confidence and esteem of o!i

classes. The post office was a most important tins titut ion, and it

brought

t'ho officer fa charge into

very close relations with the public What Mr Cuveil’s were was

abundantly testified by the large and representative 'gathering, and should be highly gratifying to him. but Mr Cavell had proved hinwe-i a

citizen of iho right stamp. Ho had taken ,tho keenest interest in school

affairs, having been Secretary of the committee, had been president of the unobtrusive but exceedingly useful Beautifying Association, had taken

an active part in the Debating Society, had been chaplain of the Aparima Masonic Lodge, a prominent Odfl fellow, and lay-reader i'cr the Angli-

can Church. And while heartily and actively supporting these institutions lie had. found time to act as sec re tary of the Riverton Rowling Cfub. Socially, he had proved inlmspif one of the most genual of men, and in parting with Air and Airs' Cavell, the people felt they were parting with those whom it was an honor to , know. On behalf cf the citizens he ha; * very great pleasui'e in handing to Mr Cavell a purse of sovereigns, and requested the recipient to accept with it the heartiest good wishes of all lor the future prosperity, health,and happiness of himself and family. And on behalf of the office staff', t ( .o younger members of which recognised the value of the careful training they had received under Mr Cavell, ho had pleasure in handing him a cigarette case, accompanied with all good wishes. As Mr Cavell rose to receive the present, hjC was retch ed with rounds of applause. The Mayor, then, in m humorous ■speech, proposed the health of Air and Mrs Cavell. In doing so he referred to the happy relations that always existed between ‘Mm and me business people, to his activity to prompue the well-being of the plaice, congratulated him on his promotion, expressed the hope that he would re-visit Riverton occasionally, when he would receive a hearty welcome,, and concluded by wishing them every prosperity in their new sphere The toast was drunk with musical honors. Mr W. IT Pankhurst said Air L. W. Petcheil and himself had taken pound the list, and the pleasing feature of the duty was the spontaneity with which people subscribed—an eloquent testimony in itself of the ostima/won in which their guest was held.; Mr John Petcheil said their guest w a s not one to take credit and do nothing. He had been a worker. Air Geo. Robertson, said ho had been spoken of as the most courteous postmaster they had had in RivC££oni

In conveying ; their best wishes, Messrs A. E, Willett, H. Ahhurst, J. Armstead, E. C Hewat, the Rev, J. Morland, and Drs Trotter, and Gordon each made eulogistic references to the guest, Mr Akhurst -spoke of the Beautifying Association, the Rev. Morland of his great help to the Church, and Dr Trotter of the good example he haci given in interesting himself in those institutions which benefitted the young, this being enlarged upon by Mr Eewat, In time to come, when many of the young had grown up, ‘they vvgjukl bfess the name of Mr Cavell.

On rising to respond, Mr Cavell was greeted with continued applause. He thanked them most sincerely for the manner da which they had honored the toast, for their presence that night to show him' respect, and for the token of regard they had given him in the purse of sovereigns, also the office staff for their cigarette case. He need hardly say that with the sovereigns ho would purchase something that ■ would ever servo-as a memento of - eight happy

years speifi in Riverton, an J vemu:

him ;of the many good people with whom ho had been associated. His ve_ la lions had been of the niosti cordial nature, and in carrying- out his duties he had had to recognise that -his

first duly was t Q his employ ns the State. It was gratifying to hi

to know that he had given satisfaction. The little he had done on behalf (hi local institutions had been a pleasure, and he washed them all success. He regretted exceedingly that he was leaving them, but the nature of his duties would be such that he would have to come to Riverton oc-

casionally, and they need hardly bo surprised when ho told them that nothing' would give him greater pleasure, He extended a. cordial invitation to any to visit him rin his mew home, and concluded a le ding speech by again thanking them for their great kindness, During the evening Mr li. E. I’kiilp gave a recitation The proceedings terminated with Die singing of Aukl Lung Syne and I die

National Anthem. It. only remains to add that an excellent light repast was provided by Mr J - Andrew.

<in Tuesday afternoon Mrs Cavell

was entertai&ed at afternoon tea eft

Mr Andrews’ tea-rooms by the ladies and presented with a pair of ebony and silver brushes and hand mirror

(lie prescii'calion being maoe in w uit-* able terms by Mrs Lyle, who expressed the best wishes of all for the future of Mr efrul Mrs Caveil ami family - And last evening the Rev. . Morlancl, on behalf of the parishioners of the Anglican Church. presented Mr Cavell with a cheque. In doing so iw paid a* high tribute to

the work which had “been performed for the church by the recipient who thanked .them lor their kindness-