PRESENTATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 183, 10 August 1901, Page 4

PRESENTATION.

A lakok gathering of leading business men took place yesterday afternoon at the Customs Oiiice, when the Mayor (Mr

Townloy), on behalf of the business men, presented the retiring # Collector of Customs, Mr E. W. Pasley, with an address and a gold watch and chain. His Worship said that it had been felt, more particularly by those who had been brought more in touch with Mr Pasley in his official capacity, that they could not lot that gentleman leave without some mark of their appreciation. Pie had pleasure in handing him tlie following address, accompanied by a further token of their esteem :

“ Gisborne, N.Z., August 9th, 1901. E. W. Pasley, Esq., Gisborne. Dear Sir,— On the occasion of your retiring from’ your responsible position of Collector of Customs at this port, we, as traders who have been brought into connection with yon in your Department, wish to express to you the satisfaction wo have experienced in the able and fair manner with which you have always conducted your duties. It is with regret we learned of your departure from amongst us. In wishing you good-bye, we sincerely hope you will have long life and happiness, and we would ask your acceptance of the accompanying souvenir from us as a mark of the esteem in which we regard you. We are, yours faithfully, Union Steamship Company, Limited, Messrs Williams and Kettle, Limited, Tyser Line, Limited, Common, Shelton and. Co., Sliaw, Savill and Albion Co., Iluddart, Parker and Co., Kennedy and Evans, T. Adair, AVilliam Pettie, J. Townley, G. Matthewson, Bennett and Sherrett, A. Clark and Son, John Bright, Vincent Pyke, F. Parker, F. T. Morgan, Shierlaw and Co., William Miller, W. A. O’Meara, J. Jeune, E. Chrisp and Son, B. Johnston and Co., D. J. Barry, T. Flood, Humphreys and Davys, John H. Ormond, Wm. Good, 11. Sandlant and Co., H. Kane, Sandlant and Stevenson Bros., C. Bosie and Co., J. A. Harding, L. T. Symes, F. Hall, E. G. A. Reynolds.

The Mayor then handed to Mr Pasley a gold watch and chain, the inscription being : “ To E. W. Pasley, Esq., Collector of Customs, Gisborne, as a mark of their respect, from the traders at the port of Gisborne. —Bth August, 1901.” His Worship said that there was general regret that Mr Pasley was leaving the district, but wherever he went he would have thenheartiest good wishes. .(Applause.) Mr Pasley made a modest reply, saying that he hardly know how to thank them. He had been 6.1- years in Gisborne, and had done his best to carry out the duties well. The fair way in which he had been met by the public had helped to make things work smoothly, and though there might have been little hitches, taken altogether things had \yorkpd well. He was pleased to know that at the wharves and in all departments of the work things had proceeded so agreeably. Ho again expressed warm thanks. Mr Shelton said that it gave him very much pleasure to support the remarks made by the Mayor. Ho had a good deal to do with the Customs Department. None of them liked taxation, and therefore the work of Customs collection was not

always pleasant. Ho had had little differences with ill- Pasley in the reading of the tariff, but on talking the matter 'over they always agreed. He had always found Mr Pasley a very fair, conscientious, and obliging officer, and as long as the Government provided the port with such a fair and conscientious officer things would go aloDg satisfactorily. Ho was sorry that Mr Pasley was leaving them, and he could not see why a man of Mr Pasloy-’s ability and health should bo relieved. The port required not only an energetic man but a specially competent one. At the port there was in proportion quite as much responsible work as in the larger cities, where the chief collector would have a staff of subordinates. It was a great pity they were losing the services of Mr Pasley, becausp ho was capable physically, and from his long experience, and in every other way to carry on the work of this port; he was just what was required, a gentleman in whom the Government and public could have confidence,

After a few more words from the Mayor, and a brief reply from Mr Pasley. all present shook hands with that gentleman, who shortly afterwards, accompanied by Mrs Pasley and family, left for Wellington by the Tutanekai. From Wellington the family go io ilelson to take up their abode there.