Presentation to Mr E. J. Allen.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 280, 2 June 1896, Page 2

Presentation to Mr E. J. Allen.

Yesterday afternoon an address was presentad to Mr E. J. Allen, who has acted as agent, at Feilding, of the Bank of - New Zealand for the past eight years, by the Mayor, W*lter,A. L. Bailey, Esq., on behalf of the pro-/ fessional and business men and settlers : of Feilding and district, Mr having been promoted to the position of manager of the New Plymouth : ')wnmcfiv'y^ of the bank. About thirty persons were present in the Borough Council ? Chambers, where the presentation was made. In making tbe presentation Mr Bailey said it was intended a 8 a' y souvenir of Mr Allen's stay in Feilding, and read tbe address as follows :— ■ •' To E. J. Allen, Esq., " Sik,— lt is with a mixed feeling of pleasure and regret that . we hear you are about tq leave Feilding for the Tara* naki district. It is with pleasure we learn that the change for yourself means ". promotion. Your gain, however, ia our Toss. You have for the last eight, years represented the Bank of New Zealand in this town, a position of responsibility and trust not only to yonr immediate superiors in that institution, bqt'to a S large number of residents the district,: and one requiring no small amount of tact and good management. Men in your position must of necessity/, at times cause some little vexation. However, we have no hesitation in saying but few ; would, under somewhat trying circum* , stances, have given such general satisfaction as yourself. That your good qualities have been seen andappreciated by those under, whom you serve is suf* ficently vouched for by the promotion on the staff of the Bank of New Zealand which you have received. As a citizen so well have you responded to all calls leading to the prosperity of the town and district and the fostering of good fellowship amongst, the inhabitants that we felt it would be remiss on bur part if some record was not left of the respect and esteem with which you are so generally regarded. We ask you, sir, tp ; be good enongh to accept the accompany* ; ing present as a small token of our united ' good wishes for your future prosperity y ■.. and happiness, and in full sincerity we one and all wish ybu 'God speed.' " ...' :-. ? The address was signed by Walter/ A.L. Bailey, Henry Cornfoot, Barr tholomew Bros., W. G. Haybittle, J. TVI. Johnston, J.H. Stevens, W; Light; H. L Sherwill, C. E. Bryce,;yß. AL. ? Pudney, G. Wheeler, Jas. Glorhriv B. A. Barton, Gorton and Son, O.jCaippe.r, / M iss Isabella Manson, Edmd. .Good: ']'■'. behere, Kirton and Curtis, W. Carthew, W. A. Sandilands, Jas. Scott, Martha Hastie, L. Holden, 0, Carr, . P. Thomson, John Holden, W. HodVy ren, John G. Cobbe, W. B. Girien,y John Prior, A. Richmond, Thos: -8.- ; Taylor, P. Clark, B. R. Curtis. V y yd In his reply Mr Allen sdid : thaok you most heartily for the kindly sentiments expressed towards mem; the address presented by His Worship tbe Mayor, on behalf of my f nends idy the district. Tbe address I shail always view with pride, ahd it* vfilll: -Y occupy a prominent place in my home wherever I may be. I cannot sayy that 1 deserve such recognition at your bands. In anything I have done in my official capacity I bave endeavored tb do my duty first ta: the bank and secondly to -tbe bank's customers. ; Outside of the bank I have lived: quietly and tried to do my duty as a private citizen. If I have at any time done anyone harm by word or deed f I ana truly sorry for it. I must confess that I am sorry to leave Feilding; '; I have always liked the place and the people. Tbe people of Feilding and district stand very high in mine ahdy tbe bank's estimation— tbey are second to none in the colony. <*Anjjryi:; measure of success I have obtained in :' the bank's management at Feilding is in a sense largely due to the very excellent lot of customers I have had the pleasure of transacting business with. I must add that the Feilding branch, since I have assumed charge, has not caused a shilling loss to the bank, and I may here express a hope that it never will, and thus establish a unique record. New Plymouth is not very far removed froni Feilding, so that I hope I shall have the pleasure" of seeing some, if not all of my friends again, and should any of you come to New Plymouth you will meet with a hearty welcome from my wife and self." The Mayor having announced that. Mr Allen's health would be toasted, champagne was handed round and Mr H. Cornfoot proposed the toast in a very eulogistic speech, it being heartily responded to. MrC. Bryce, on behalf of the staff in the bank, expressed their regret at losing so courteous a chief. Mr E. A. Barton, Manager of the local branch of the Bank of Australasia, expressed bis regret at Mr Allen's departure, saying that their relations had always been cordial. Mr W. G. Haybittle explained that the names attached to the testimonial were only a few of those which would appear on the illuminated address, a number of gentlemen desirous bf subscribing their names to it not having been able to do so owing to the limited time at their disposal, Mr Allen having suitably replied to tbe expressions of good will the gathering dispersed.