FAREWELL TO CAPT. SIMSON

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2880, 19 September 1916, Page 9

FAREWELL TO CAPT. SIMSON

PRAISE AND GOOD WISHES." The farewell to Captain Donald Simson, a ceremony arranged by the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke), was held in tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. The hour (3 o'clock) was not a suitable ono for speech-making indoors, and tho audienco did not quite fill' tho hall. It was an enthusiastic audience, however, and it included a good muster of returned soldiers. Among -the guests on tho platform were Mr. H. N. Simson (father of Captain Simson) and Mr. H. Lan Simson (brother). Tho Mayor paid a high tribute of praise to Captain Simson for his work in New Zealand in awakening public sontiment in regard to tho responsibility of tho State and the community generally to returned soldiers. Captain Simson liad offered his services very soon after tho outbreak of war, and had joined with tho troops of his native country, Now Zealand. When ho was wounded he returned' here but instead of resting quietly and doing nothing, ho busied himself in the interests of roturncd soldiors. His work for these men would bo an imperishablo monument. (Applause.) No other man in New Zealand could possibly do what ho had done for soldiers, for Captain Simson hatL special gifts and special advantages for tho carrying through of his self-imposed tasks. He bad been much criticised, but who was not? No man had a right -to ho free from criticism.- But it was a- fact that tho general opinion of Captain Simson was a good one —well above par. (Applause.) Wellington City, Mr. Luke declared, was all tho better for Captain Simson's brief residence here, and oil behalf of citizens he*, wished liim goodi luck in the portion of tho war still to come. Ho handed to Captain Simeon an. illuminated address, p r rather a series of addresses with an illuminated frontispiece, all bound in a handsome portfolio. The addresses were signed 'by returned' soldiers all over New Zealand, and tho Mayor asked Captain Simson to accept the gift as. a token of tlio goodwill and affection oftho signatories of the docilment and of the people of Now Zealand'. The Hon. Dr. M'Nab said he was unablo to spare more than a moment or two because ho had to be present at an important meeting of the Recruiting Board. But lie had taken advantage of tho few moments available to bo present at the gathering to pay his tribute to Captain Simson. These returned soldiers' 'organisations would be .1 great influence for good in New Zealand in tho days to come, and they con® not have been well and truly founded but for the singleness of purpose and untiring energy of Captain Simson, the man who was mainly instrumental in founding them. Captain Simson had made enemies, but. lie had made hosts of friends also. • Personally ho wished to congratulate Captain Simson' upon the success ho had achieved in the work he had taken; un. and in bidding- him, good-bye he would wish him good luck, long life; and prosperity. (Applause.) Mr. C. R-; Smith spoke of.tho Returned Soldiers' Club, and tho nart taken by' Captain Simson in; establishing it. Members of tho Civilian Committee of the club knew how whole-, heartedly .Captain Simson had worked for the returned soldiers. He congratulated Captain Simson on having made such a recovery from his wound that he was -now able to go.back to the war again. Mr. Smith concluded with good wishes. Mr. ,C. D. Harper (President of tho Returned • Soldiers' Club) said that, he believed the work done by Captain Simson for the soldiers would be assessed at even; a higher value in .the futiiro than now. (Applause.) . The company sang "For Ho's a Jolly Good Fellow," and cheered when Cantain_ Simson rose to speak. Captain Simson said that, his throat was in _ such a state (lie was very hoarse indeed) that he could make no long speech, but he would ask his good friends of the Press to publish a few lines of farewell. He expressed his deepest gratitude for the remarks-the speakers had made concerning him. (Applause.) ■ The National Anthem was sung and three cheers were, given for Captain Simson. '