PRESENTATION TO MB CHRISTOPHERB.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 24 September 1901, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MB CHRISTOPHERB.

It is a pretty fair indication of a man’s character when you find those he lias presided over and has for years directed, gathering together when that gentleman is severing his connection with them to bear testimony in a cordial and substantial manner to the esteem in which he is held by his staff, and ere parting regretfully with an honest and sterling, but withal kindly officer, toast his health, iiresent him with a handsome momento of lis stay, and in a beautifully illuminated address place on record a lasting tribute to his character, as a man and officer. Mr Christophers who for close upon five years has been stationed at Greymouth as District Engineer of the Westland branch of railways was the gentleman who last night was so honored—and deservedly so; the occasion being his promotion to Petone, where his sphere of operations will be more extended, his responsibilities greater, and his position higher than on the West Coast. The gathering—and it was a notable one comprising over 70 officers of all grades in the Railway Department—took place in Mr Oxenham's large dining-room, Mr Crombie Traffic Manager occupying the chair, and Mr Nelson the vice chair. The Chairman started off with a few of his well known humorous remarks, and then treated those assembled to Burns’ well known grace. Proceedings then commenced. The Chairman proposed “ The lOng '* asking the audience as a mark of sympathy with the American people in their grief at the lamentable assassination of President M'Kinley, to drink the toast in silence.

The Chairman said the next toast was one that would commend itself to all present. It was the health of their guest and friend Mr Christopher (loud cheers). Ho was not given to buttering people up either to their faces or behind their back, but he could say a great deal in praise of Mr Christophers without straining in the slightest degree. Mr Christophers was about to be removed to a higher position in the service and those present being his friends wore gratified thereat. They could not, however, help expressing their regret at his departure. Ho (the speaker) was only a late arrival amongst them, but he could say that he never knew a man who he ccu'd work more harmon-

iously with than their guest of the - evening, who had been a long time in the service of the Department. Mr Christophers first position in the Department was as traffic manager at Kaipara, then"a very small section ; from thence he went to Picton, Nelson, Wanganui, Westport and Greymouth. Here during his term he had given the utmost satisfaction to the public and commanded the highest respect of the Railway staff (loud cheers.) If a man in his position did his duty—and Mr Christophera did his duty—he was bound to rub against some one at limes, but they were all agreed that their friend, whenever he had a disagreeable duty to perform, did it in such a manner as to leave the smallest modicum of sting. He hoped that in his now and extended sphere of operations his ability and capacity would be* apprecirted at its true value. In the Railway Department in this country there was not much seopo for rising, and certainly less on the West Coast. There were, however, one or two plums in the service, and ho trusted their guest would got one of them. He had been asked by the Railway Staff to present their guest with an illuminated address, which ho felt sure would bo held in high esteem, and would remind him of tho high appreciation in which ho was held in tho Urey District. The wording of the address was as follows :

“To St. J. Christophers, “ District Engineer, N.Z. “ Railways, Greymouth. “ Dear Sir, —Wo, the fellow-employees of the Westland section of the New Zealand Railways, have great pleasure in presenting you with this address as a token of the esteem in which you aro hold. “ While expressing onr sincere regret at your departure from this section, we lake this opportunity of wishing you every success in your new sphere. “ Wo trust the future may bring you many years of happiness and prosperity.

“We beg to remain, Yours faithfully, W. Crombie, W. J. Watson, J. N. Nelson, ». J. Crisp. “On behalf of the staff. 19/9/01."

If the address would remind Mr Christopher of his soj urn in their midst, he, the Chairman, would not say as much for the second item —a purse of sovereigns—which he nevertheless had much pleasure in presenting. Certainly it was only “ filthy lucre, and perhaps their guest would also deem it so, but if so, he advised him to hand it over to Mrs Christopher, who would possibly put it to better use than their guest. He would now ask them all to drink “ Health and prosperity to Mr Christopher’ The toast was taken in a most enthusiastic manner, and with musical honors. Song by Mr Stark “The Longshoreman.”

Song by Mr Spindeler "The British Navy.” Mr Christopher, on rising to respond, waiKgreeted with lond and hearty cheers. He said that he could call them all all friends for such he had found them, and such they had certainly proved that night. There were moments in the life of every man when pleasure was mingled with regret—-and such was his position ; pleasure at seeing the kindly feeling expressed towards him, regret at parting with such an excellent staff. He had been in daily communication with nearly all present, and he knew them intimately, as they knew him. When he came here he was anxious to do his duty and prove a success, and it was most gratifying for him to find such a large number present that evening to evidence by their presence, their action, and their words, that he had done his duty, and commanded the respect and esteem of the employees (loud applause.) He had been longer in the service than he sometimes cared to think—over a quarter of a century —for it recalled to him that he was advancing in years. During that time he had bad many pleasant occurrences, as also some that were not so, but his tenure at Greymouth had been one he would ever remember with pleasure. He had got along well with the public, and the railway staff (cheers.) He much regretted, but for one reason—that of health—leaving the Coast. He liked its people, and be liked his staff of officers (cheers.) He did not imow how to adequately thank them for their address and the accompanying gift. The send off was to him a matter of great gratification. It would fortify and encourage him in his new field of work. It was a great deal to know that he carried with him the good wishes of his fellow-workers and would give him confidence in taking charge of a larger staff. He trusted that when the time came for final his removal from the Department—as come it must to all—he would have as good a record placed against him as had that night been told to him (great applause). Song—Mr. Guthrie, “ Our Jack’s come Home to-day,” Mr. Watson proposed the “ Maintenance Department, coupled with the name of Mr. Crisp," The good feeling that existed among all grades and branches of the Westland Service was a noticeable feature, and tended to good work.

Song—Mr. Skeats, “ I mustn’t say any. imywrong.”

HjßHisp in responding, paid a very to Mr Christophers. a man that did his duty to the and the men under him. Ho him all the blessing possible in his home and regretted parting wiih an excellent manager. Guthrie proposed the " Way and This department had an itn■mense amount of work, often to perform with lightening speed, and he could bear testimony to the excellent manner in which Mr Nelson and his men did their duty.

Mr Watson song “The Anchors Weighed.”

Mr Nelson said on such occasions the mesttijg was a mingling of pleasure with Mgret. Pleasure at knowing their superior officer was being promoted, regret at losing a good officer and friend. He had known Mr Christophers for tea ye .rs, and had always found him a gentleman. He spoke out. There was no soaping over with him and then getting a sheet of foolscap next day asking that such and such should be explained. Mr M’Meekin, —Scottish recitation.

Mr Brislano proposed “ The Ladies,” He was pleased to see so many friends to give Mr Christopher a hearty send off. In his capacity as guard he had a good opportunity of coming into contact with —all officers and getting their opinion, and they are keen critics, and the general verdict in regard to Mr Christophers was that he was a capable officer and a gentleman. (Cheers). Mr Maokly in a humorous reply referred to his experiences with Boer maidens and a proposal ho made to marry one, and the reply that “She’d sooner be damned than marry a Britisher” Mr Orombie—Scottish recitation.

The Chairman in humorous toast proposed “The Press” which was responded to by Messrs White and Petrie, the latter as a citizen stating that the public had parted no more regretfully with any Government officer than they would with Mr Christophers. Mr Parkinson —song—“ The man that broke the Bank at Mo.'.ts Carlo." Mr Spindler in proposing " The Bunning Staff ” bore testimony to the general harmony in the union, and the high esteem in which Mr Christophers was held. Mr Clark—Song—" I’ll trace her footsteps in the Snow.” Mr Guthrie in responding detailed at some length the difficulties the staff had often to contend with when a rush of work came. .

Several other gentlemen spoke is high terms of praise of the guest of the evening A number of songs were further contributor, and the gathering broke up with singing of “ Auld Lang Syne,” and “ God Save the King,” every one present wishing Mr Christophers success in his new sphere of life.