Greymouth

New Zealand Tablet, 5 November 1914, Page 29

Greymouth

-- , (From an occasional correspondent.) , : The large hall attached to the St. Columba Clubrooms was taxed to its utmost capacity on Monday night (October 19), the occasion being a farewell and presentation to Mr. K. S. Dillon, one of the club’s most prominent and energetic members. Upon the completion of the very fine musical and elocutionary programme,, Mr. H. . F. Doogan, president of the club, ° made .the presentation. He' traced Mr. Dillon’s connection with the club from its inception; and remarked that Mr. Dillon had set a very high standard of elocution for members of the club to aspire to. No more convincing proof of this fact could be found than reference to the remarks of Mr. H. Gregsoh,“ who judged the musical monologues at the recent competitions, when he stated that Mr. J ’ Dillons work in. the ‘ Dickens Monologue,’ Was of the highest order, the performance being . full of merit and vastly superior to anything he had heard * at .the many competitions at ; which he. had judged in New Zealand. Mr. Dillon had'proved his ability at : the largest festival held in the Dominion— at Wellington./ Their guest’s services had always been placed at thp disposal of the club at considerable inconvenience and sacrifice, and the . most : appreciable V trait • of - his character was the ready manner in which he placed his talent at the disposal of beginners. Mr. Dillon had.done . the lion’s share of the work in upholding the prestige of j the club, and was therefore justly-deserving of the lion’s , share of the honors. In conclusion, he asked Mr. Dillon’s acceptance of a photographic' shield" of those ■ who had represented the club in the recent competitions. !. ", Rev. Father- Le Croix (the.. club’s president) and . £- ; Mr. A. A. Adams, a very old supporter of the club, also expressed their regret at ; the ‘ departure ' of -Mr. • :• Dillon. -rv : Mr. Dillon upon rising , to-speak .was i accorded quite an oration, and said- that he t had tackled some hard tasks'..in his-time - but , v that, now confrontin g him was ’- far more '. formidable 5 than v anything he ;had yet t at-; tempted. ’ He' stated that what he had , done f-pr the ' V ’•- .Hi..... * -•, HH ' hHI-' d'iH. \ ■-. ’:

club would fade to. insignificance when compared with what the club had done for him that night. Me felt pardonably proud to :receive, such a magnificent present t?iis<represented in -the shield, and impressed# on members the advisability of . working hard to; achieve ; success. .Mr. Dillon, who was; visibly affected, resumed his seat amid a storm of applause. • ■ / ’■ A\V i On the same evening Messrs. T. Minehan and Doogari were also the recipients of prizes, the' former a gold ; medal, ' and the latter -a set of books. . * - . C A dainty repast provided by the ladies was handed round. -s - -v-v-w