PRESENTATION.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 697, 6 January 1922, Page 5

PRESENTATION.

A. & P. SOCIETY PAST PRESIDENT

HONOURED.

TRIBUTE TO MR J. N. MASSEY

On Friday evening, December 16th, a very pleasant little ceremony was held in the office of the Franklin A. and P. Society. This took the form of a presentation to Mr John N. Massey, who had been president of the Society for the <two previous years. At the conclusion of the ordinary business of the Society, the President (Mr A. P. Daysh) informed the meeting that he had a very pleasant duty to perform. It was to ask Mr Massey to come forward and accept, on behalf of the members, an enlarged photo of a group of the executive, as a token of the respect and esteem in which he was held by the members, also to mark the appreciation they felt for the splendid. service he had rendered while president of the Society. Mr Daysh then called on Mr Roulston to make the presentation oh behalf of the members.

Mr Roulston, in making the presentation, said he was very pleased to be present with the President and the members of the executive to assist in marking in a sma?l way the respect and esteem they all felt for Mr Massey. As one who had taken interest in arranging the presentation, he wished to place on record the kindly feeling entertained for Mr Massey and how popular he was with the members and also the executive of Kj the Society. The committee, which had the matter in hand, decided to present Mr Massey with a photographic group of the members of the executive, and all knew this was not an easy matter to arrange, one reason being that men, as a rule, are not anxious to have their photos taken, and there was also the difficulty of all being able to meet at one time for the purpose. However, he was glad to say everyone fell in with the idea at once, giving it as their opinion that no better way could be taken of showing their appreciation, of Mr Massey, and also their association with him as president of the Society, the result being that they were here that night to present Mr Massey with the photo. He was glad to say every member of the executive was in the group, and also Mr Shipherd and Mr J. Potter, their only life members. When engaged on the matter of the presentation Mr Massey was often in his mind, and he had sometimes wondered why he was so popular, and why it was/he personally admired him so much. Sometimes he thought it was Mr Massey’s strength of mind,. and how, if he thought himself right, nothing could turn him. At others it was the belief Mr Massey held in the future of the Society, and his courage in launching out in schemes he thought would be of benefit to it. As an instance he would just mention the matter of committing the Society to the erection of the Winter Show buildings, one of the most important works ever undertaken, and one that was bound to have farreaching effect for good on its destiny. Then again, the manner in which he carried out his duties as chairman, appealed to him. Everyone present knew that when Mr Massey took office he was rather inexperienced, but the wonderful improvement he made and how quickly he grasped the details of his office, ! 'and also his untiring zeal in promoting the Society’s interest was also known to all. Mr Massey had also the gift of being cheerful under all, circumstances. He was a good sport and whether things were going against him or otherwise, kept smiling, and in doing so was a help and encouragement to others. He then asked Mr Massey to accept the photo and in doing so wished him, on behalf of bis many friends, future prosperity and a long and happy life. No doubt the photo would be hung in a prominent position in his home, and when looking at it, as sometimes, no doubt he would, perhaps it would serve to remind him of his connection with the Society and the many friends he had made while in it, and as his gaze wandered to one familiar face or perhaps another, he could rest assured he was .looking on the face of a friend who wished him well. Mr Massey, on coming forward, met with an enthusiastic reception, the members rising to sing “For he’s a jolly good fellow.” In replying, Mr Massey said he appreciated very much the kindly feeling that prompted the members to confer on him the great honour they had done that evening, and also for the very handsome present, which, he assured them he would always prize very highly. Words {■.ernetimes failed to express all one thought, but be assured them all he would never forget that even-.ng oi the friends lie had made in the Society, and was proud to accept the photo as a token of goodwill. Re-

ferring to his work as President, he had only done what he considered to be his duty, and if it had gained the approval of his committee and their assurance that the Society had piospred while president then he was amply repaid.