PRESENTATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2198, 12 March 1881, Page 3

PRESENTATION.

Last eTening a presentation was made to Mr J. T. Warren, for some time manager of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand hero, who is about to leave _ Christchurch. A number of friends who desired to record their appreciation of the many good qualities of Mr Warren, met at the store of Messrs P. Cunningham and Co. to present that gentleman with a tangible expression of their goodwill towards him. The form which this manifestation took was a silver salver and a velvet purse containing 310 sovereigns. The gathering on thei occasion was a thoroughly representative one, embracing as it did the mercantile and business community of Christchurch. Mr Peter Cunningham, who presided, SaidGentlemen, — We are mot together to-day for the purpose of performing a duty that is always a sorrowful one, that of parting with a friend. We should, however, be guilty of great unkindness had we allowed _ our friend, Mr Warren, to sever his connection with Christchurch without saying good-bye and wishing him God speed. It was thought that, collectively, we could show our friend some little respect, and we have also thought proper to do so in more than words. We wish this farewell to be remembered as coming from true friendship, and not altogether as a formal gathering. Mr Warren’s occupation in life requires his removal to another part of the colony, and I am sure I express the feelings of this meeting when I say that we regret this, that gentleman having mode so many friends during his short stay in Christchurch, and those who enjoy true friendship will he sorry to lose his company, (t is somewhat difficult at a meeting of this kind to express one’s feelings without the appearance of descending to flattery, which I am sure would be painful to our friend aed altogether out of place. I will therefore ask Mr Warren to accept from those assembled and others whom they represent, hearty good wishes (that should always be given to those we respect), and we trust that he may continue in good health, that his course in life may be prosperous, and that at no distant date he may find it to his advantage to again return and live among ns. Mr Warren, you are requested to accept the gift I now offer as a sincere token of regard, and should yon accept it in the same spirit in which it is given it may truly be considered a bond of friendship, I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without expressing the kindest regards of your personal friends for Mrs Wa-ren, and we trust she may long be spared in health, and I can safely say many Christchurch homes will regret her cheerful company being taken from them and given to others to enjoy. I am instructed to read this letter, which I have signed on behalf of about eighty of your friends, and then my only remaining duty will be to drink the toast, “ The health and happiness in a largo measure for the future of yourself andJMra Warren.” lief ore X do this I should like to read the following testimonial, which will bo suitably engrossed. It is as follows : “To J. T. Warren, Esq. “ Dear Sir, —We, the undersigned, having hear-1 that you intend leaving Christchurch, where for more than four years we have known yon as friend or in yonr official capacity as manager of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, desire to express onr very great regret that yon are going away, and also the esteem in which you are held not only by ourselves, but, we are well assured, by all those with whom you have come in contact. We wish yon health, happiness, and prosperity in whatever sphere yom experience and ability may ho directed to, and would beg your acceptance of the accompanying purse of three hundred and ten guineas as a slight testimonial of onr regard. “ We are, dear “dr, faithfully your?, “ Signed on behalf of subscribers, “ P. Cunningham.” Mr Warren said that there were periods in c man’s life when ho felt perfectly inadequate tc respond to the calls made upon him. This was one of those periods so far as ho was concerned i i! e felt that he had not deserved the warm re i cognition of his poor services which they hac i that day presented him with. [No, no.] S< I far us ho was concerned, ho bade adieu t( Christchurch with feo'inga of regret. He hac ’ made many friends here, and trusted tha i though absent he should still live in thei , memories. He desired moat specially to thank then j for their kind reference to Mrs Warren. The; i had been pleased to siy things of him whicl , were flattering, hut he could assure them tha 3 nothing which might be said of Mra Warre;

could 100 regarded as flattering. He was n--speaker, but he desired simply to say this, that from the bottom o i his heart ho thanked them most sincerely. The health of the chairman, Mr P. Cunningham, having been drunk and responded to, the proceedings terminated.