A PRESENTATION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue VI, 5 August 1899, Page 202

A PRESENTATION.

Mr J. Henry Lowe, who recently resigned the position of chief engineer of New Zealand railways, in order to proceed with his family to India as a missionary, was on Friday last, at Wellington, presented with a purse of 175 sovereigns and a beautifully illuminated address by the combined staff of the railway service The presentation took place at the head office of the Kailway Department, a very large gathering having assembled there for the occasion In making the presentation Mr. Thomas Ronayne, General Manager of Kailways, gave a sketch of Mr. Lowes’ thirtytwo years’ honourable connection with the railway service, referring to the good service he had rendered to the colony, and to the signal success that had marked his administration: and he also referred to the great assistance he himself had received from Mr. Lowe in his capacity as Commissioner of Railways, and concluded by saying that all branches of the service throughout the colony had united in obtaining the souvenir which he presented to Mr Lowe, and that never in the history of New Zealand railways had there been such a presentation, which must be very gratifying to Mr Lowe, who must feel by it that he left the service with the hearty good will of all. Mr Coom, on behalf of the maintenance staff also spoke in high praise of Mr Lowe’s services and popularity, and concluded by saying that every officer and every man with whom he had come in contact regretted Mr Lowe’s severance from the Department. In reply Mr Lowe very feelingly thanked Mr Ronayne aijd all present for their presentation and kind words of farewell. He said he was almost unable to express the gratification which he felt at their presentation and exhibition of friendship, and for himself could only say that his regrets at leaving the service were very deep and very real, as he had grown up with the Department since quite its earliest days. His reason tor leaving it was, however, that he Recognised a higher service than the New. Zealand railways—the service of One who had redeemed him, and Concluded .a long and eloquent farewell by assuring his hearers that he would . never forget their kindness and friendship, and would always look for news of their welfare in whatever part of the world he was in.