PRESENTATION TO W. G. REES, ESQ.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1086, 16 February 1883, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO W. G. REES, ESQ.

On Tuesday evening last Mr W."G. Rees, who is about to leave tho district, was entertained by a number of his friends In the Alexandra Library. Mr Finlay occupied the chair, supported by Mr J. Simmonds as vice-chairman. There were about thirty gentlemen present, comprising most of tho . business people of the town, and number of friends from tho surrounding district. After the usual loyal toasts the chairman preposed the health of Mr Rees in a highly ( eulogistic speech, in the course of which he refei red to the many services rendered hy ( Mr Ileus to all their social gatherings, and j the interest he had always taken in any < movements for the advancement of the town and district ; he had secured ttio es- | teem and good will of all classes, and his I ) departure from the district caused a general * t feeling of regret. The Chairman then called J uron the company to drink a bumper to the healtii and prosperity of Mr Rees. ; After the toast was drank, the Mayor (Mr McDonald),on behalf of the subscribers presented Mr Rees with a handsomely illu- 1 ruinated address and a purse containing one ’ hundred and eleven sovereigns. The purse i was a very tasteful one of purple velvet < artistically embroidered with forget-me- ] riots and gold beads, presented by Miss M. 1 Ryan. Mr Rees, in an appropriate and feeling reply, remarked that if anything could lossetr his regret at leaving the district , it was the evidence of good feeling with i which they regarded him, which they had ( shown on this occasion, andjthe conscious : ness that in departing from the district he , loft nothing but friends behind him. Ho i had not taken a very prominent part in any great public questions, but in all those social movements which go so much towards making up the sum of human happiness he had much pleasure iu giving his assistance to the best of his ability. In conclusion, ho thanked them warmly for the honour which they had done him. A number of other teats followed, including the Vincent Comity Council, piopoaed by Mr Simmonds, and reponded to by Mr Forrest; the Alexandra Borough Council, proposed by Mr Rivers, and responded to by Mr McDonald ; the Banking Interest, proposed by Mr Thoyers, and responded to by Mr Wincfield ; the Pastoral Interest, proposed by Mr F. Williams, responded to by Mr Rees ; the agricultural Interest, proposed by Mr Finlay, and responded to by Mr Gregg; tho Mining Interest,proposed by Mr Wingfield, and responded to by Mr Forrest; the Commercial interest, proposed by Mr Ryan, and responded to by Mr Thoyers ; tho Press, pronsed by Mr Simmoods, responded to by Mr Forrest ; Mr Gunion, proposed by Mr Finlay; the Ladies, responded to by Mr Bcresfnrd ; Mr H. Tolu!!, the caterer for the meeting, aud a number of other toasts. During tho proceedings a number of songs were sung by Messrs Williams, Rees, Thompson, Finlay Ryan, and other gentlemen, which tended to enliven the .meeting, and God Sivo the. Queen hy the company brought a very enj lyable evening entertainment to a close.