NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2365, 4 December 1908, Page 4

NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER.

FAREWELL TO MR. HALL-JONES

DEPARTURE FOR. LONDON

[Press Association.]

n , WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. llio Hon. W«. Ha 11-Jones yesterday was the recipient of an. illuminated address, contained in a massive rimu frame, by officers of the Public Works Department, as a marie of esteem. At the head ol the address was an excellent colonial picture of the Raurimu spiral.

The Premier; Hons. J. A. Millar and J. McGowan, and nearly every head m the Civil (Service attended the Cabinet room yesterday to say farewell to Mr. Ha 11-Jo lies. Appropriate reference was made to his many qualifications. It was mentioned that when he became Minister of Railways the annual expenditure was £700.000, nnn T° ar had reached £1,900,000.

About a thousand persons were at the wharf this afternoon to see the Hon. W. Ha 11-Jones off by the Cortntluc, for London, to take tip duty as High Commissioner. All the members of the Ministry in town, several members of Parliament, and many hclnls of Departments were there. Mr. Hall-Joncs was iheartilv cheered' as the steamer moved off. Presentations were made to Mr. and Mrs. Hull-Jones by the members of the Cabinet this •morning, Mr. HallJonois receiving a gold sovereign case and his wife a gold crescept brooch. One of the last"acts of the High Commissioner in New Zealand was to visit the grave of his former chief, the late Mr, R. J. Seddon.