NEW ZEALAND CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1243, 27 September 1911, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND CLUB.

. FAREWELL TO SIR. H. N. HOLMES. The New Zealand Club yesterday bado farewell to its secretary, Mr. .11. X.: Holmes, who is leaving New Zealand shortly to take a course of study la America. Tho club met as usual in Iho Y.M.C.A. rooms at luncheon. Mr. P. C. Frccth, president,' was in the chair.' Tho Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, telegraphed his apologies for his non-attend-ances, at the same time expressing cardial appreciation of Mr. Holmes's work in Wellington, and wishing him success in. his future career.

Tho president said the club had met to do honour to the man who was instrumental in founding it, and who had (lone moro than any other to advance its interests and bring it to its present ststo of maturo development. Tho .members heartily wished him well, knowing Hint in whatever part of the world he might find himself, lliofo eminently practical qualities which bod made him" so successful here, and those endearing attribute!) which had made him eo popular with the men amongst whom he had worked, could not fail to secure his advancement, and to enhance his power for public usefulness. It was tho hope- of nil of them that Mr. Holmes's .ibsenco would bo only v a temporary one; that ho miiht return full of vigour and health to help our forward movements and strengthen our citizenship. We jS'cw Zoalamlcrs had entered upon a stage of development whoa we required tho best services of our worthiest citizens, and the loss of a man of Mr. Holmes's typo was a serious ono to our giwin<r nationhood.

Mr. Frcetli handed to Mr. Holmes, as a token of tho regard in which members of tho club held him, a pair of prismaticbinoculars.

The Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.C., a vice-president of tho club, alfo added his testimony as -to tho good Mr. Holmes had done in imparting to the young men in this city thoso principles which made for nobility of character, and purity of life. He, with (he chairman, looked forward to (he lime when Mr. Holmes would come back to Wellington to work cgnin as head of tho Y.M.C.A.

Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., nlfo a vicepresident, expressed his appreciation of Mr. Holmes and his Work as"n practical Christian. Ho would leave behind him many friends, and ho would take away with him many good wishes. Ho could assure Mr. Holmes of a hearty, welcome should ho ever return to' New Zealand: meantime ho wished him God-speed and unbounded success in his career.

Mr. Holmes, on rising to respond, was greeted with a round of hearty applauso and three good cheers. He (hauked members for their handsome- gift, and for the kindly thought that had prompted the luncheon, and for the kind things (hat had been said about him. Ho believed that the New Zealand Club had como to fill a needed place in tho civic life of Wellington. Ho hoped that it would uplift civic ideals, and that it would foster the best kind of patriotism in Now Zen-' land. Ho wished tho club success, assuring members that he had made few friendships which ho valued more than thofo lie had acquired by his connection with tho New Zealand Club.

A farewell smoke concert (rill be given to Mr. H. N. Holmes by (he Wellington •Football Association at the Tiffeu Tea Rooms this evening at S o'clock.