Valedicetory.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 24 November 1904, Page 5

Valedicetory.

On Monday evening last, the holding capacity of the Alexandra town hall was taxed to the utmost, the occasion being a farewell social tendered by the townspeople to Mr and Mrs G. R. McGregor * and who are proceeding to Burmah. .~zziZ2 After a few dances bad been indulged in, the Mayor of Alexandra. (Mr Geo. Spencer), in an appropriate speech, referred •. to the object of the evening's gathering, and said he was ,ure everyone wou d regret .the departure of the guests of the evening. Re had been acquainted with Mr M'Gregor since his arrival in the district some years ago, and could say that he bad known him not only a thoroughly competent dredgemaster, but also as a thorough gentleman (Applause.) He (the speaker) had known Mr Symone rom boyhood, and he was confident he would give agood account of himself in Burmahl (Applause.)TheT speaker asked Mr M'Gregor's acceptance of a travelling bag and a handsome gold Maltese cross pendant, Mrs M'Gregor's of a lady's companion, and Mr Symons' of a writing case, as small tokens of the esteem in which the recipients were held by the townspeople, and he assured them that they would take with ithem- the best- wishes of the whole communityfor their'future success and prosperity (applause). The presents to Mr M'Gregor bore the following inscription :—" Presented to Mr G. R, M'Gregor by a few friends on the occasion of his leaving Otago, N.Z.for Burmah, 21/11/04." Mr Symons' present bore a similar inscription. Mr F. Williams said that he had also a pleasing duty to perform; and he asked Mrs M'Gregor's acceptance, on behalf of the members of the Anglican Church, of a gold bangle and a gold and greenstone, buttonhook, as a small token of the esteem in which she was held, and in appreciation of the work she had done for the church.

Mr W, T. Talboys (of Dunedin) said he was glad of the opportunity of being present on that occasion. He said that Alexandra could congratulate itself that it had led the world in the matter of gold-dredging, and this was the reason why so many of their best men were being enticed to distant fields. As one of the directors of the Enterprise Company (in which Mr M'Gregor had so long held the position of dredgemaster)i he desired to express the very high esteem in which Mr M'Gregor was held by tbe directorate. His resignation was received with much regret by the directors, and one and all of them wished him every success in Burmah. If Mr M'Greuor decided to again return to New Zealand, they.would only be too glad to welcome him back.

Mr M'Gregor suitably replied, on behalf of himsef and his wife, thanking those present for the splendid way they had been entertained, and for the several handsome presents given, them. He said that neither himself nor his wife would ever foiget the kindness of the people ot Alexandra, and the ye.irs they bad spent here were among the happiest of their lives. Mr Symons also replied in a few well-chosen words.

: The audience sang with great gusto at the end of each reply "For he's a jolly good fellow " -■■; ' ..." '• .'...'.. _ Songs were given during theevening by Messrs Williams and Richards, and dancing was kept going merrily till about 3 a.m. next morning, to excellent music supplied by Miss Thomas and Mr Briasco. Mr Bellamy, of the Bendigo Hotel, supplied supper and refreshments io his usual finished style. At the usual monthly meeting of the local Masonic Lodge on Friday evening last, Mr M'Gregor was the recipient of a gold Masonic charm," subscribed.by the brethren of the lodge as a mark of the esteem in which he was held. The Worshipful Master (Bro D, Bringans), in making the presentation, referred in highly complimentary terms to the many excellent qualities of Bro. M'Gregor—not only as a mason and a citizen, but in his official capacity as a jt was the unanimous wish of the brethren that every good fortune would attend him in tbe distant land in which he proposed to sojourn. Other brethren present also spoke, endorsing the remarks of the Worshipful Master ; and Bro, M'Gregor suitably responded.