VALEDICTORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1923, Page 1

VALEDICTORY.

AIR AND AIRS HENRY JONES. There was a representative gathering

at the Railway Hotel yesterday afternoon at the invitation of the YVestland Licensed Victuallers Association for the purpose of making a presentation and giving expression to the goodwill felt for Air and Airs Jones on the occasion of their retiring from the management of the Railway Hotel. Air \Y. Keller {Chairman of the Licensed Victuallers' Association) presided. and apologised for the absence of the Alayor (Air CL -A. Perry) who sent a letter of appreciation u! the public services rendered by ATr and Airs Jones and good wishes for their future, and for several others who were unable in lie present.

Alter the usual loyal toast had been honored, the Chairman proposed the health of Air and Airs Jones. In doing so AI r Keller referred at length to the highly successful maimer in which Air and Airs Jones had conducted the well known hostelry which was so favourably known throughout the Coast and other parts of New Zealand. Ho trihtiled the many sterling qualities of Airs Jones, who bail proved a very fine helpmate, and had won many friends for her many kind attentions to tlm.se requiring her services. Air Jones had also at ail times done his utmost to advance the best interests of the district and was always ready with his pocket to assist generously any worthy object. Reference was made to his ac-

tive interest in mining propositions ami in the various spotting institutions. notably racing and trotting. Afr Keller concluded by regretting that the ill health of Alls Jones had necessitated their retirement from the management of tht hotel, and on behalf of the Association asked acceptance of two handsome .Morris chairs as u mark of their appreciation. Air Keller also took the opportunity to welcome Air and Alls Snell, who had taken over the hostelry. He said they came with capital recommendations. He would give any possible assistance and wished them every success in their venture, lion H. L. Aliehel endorsed the re-

marks o; the Chairman and those contained in the .Mayor's letter which had been read. -Mr and Airs Jones were an ideal couple and as licensees of the Railway lintel had nun the esteem and regard of the whole community. ITo congratulated them on the manner in which they had carried mi the hotel • luring over twenty years. The houso was recognised as one of tin: best conducted in the district, and their successors would do well if they followed ill those footsteps. He trusted that Hie rest would result in Airs Jones being hilly restored to health. lie joined heartily in expressions oi goodwill j and tin' hope ol a long life uf happiness for them. To Air and Airs Snell.

who came with high recommendations alter over ’2O years of public service, he extended a hearty welcome and assured them that the community would extend them a similar hearty welcome. He was glad of the opportunity to he pro scut to personally ennvev Ids good wishes. Air J. J. .Mclntosh heartily endorsed the previous remarks and voiced his long connection with Air Jones who had proved a line example of what an i hotelkeeper should he. lie was i,,i every movement- for the advancement nt the town ami district, was a goo- 1 j spill and Irii-ml and was always ready to give help to those needing it. Afr Jones had conducted his hotel in a I mtinner that was a credit to himself and the community, lie regretted the] ill health of Airs Jones. Imt l rusted that now she would he able to have a spell - lie would speedily recover her good health. He also took the opportunity of extending good wishes to Air and Airs Snell who had succeeded I in the charge of the hotel, wishing

them (‘Very success. .Mr I). K.vatls also joined in | lie expressions of goodwill lo Mr anil Mrs Jones, who had made a name for their hotel that had travelled right through the Doiiiiiiion. They were good citizens ill every respect ami were held in very 1 1 ilt1 1 esteem hy the whole community. With the other speakers he regretted that ill health had cutlsed them lo retire, hut he trusted Mrs •lottes would speedily he returned to wood health. Mr dunes was a wood sport ami in every way had done his host to push the town ahead. lie was pleased also to extend a welcome to Mr and Mrs Snell and assured them that the hand of friendship and goodwill would he warmly extended to them.

The toast was then musically honored. Mr Jones on rising to respond, thanked them lor the hearty manner in wliirli they had honored the toast and the speakers for their flattering rnmarks. lie knew he did not deserve half they had said as lie lelt that on many occasions lie had been a shirker instead of a worker. Kellrence had keen made to his mining speculations, hut he assured them that if they had not heen successful ho had always enjoyed them, even if there were too many stones and too much dirt for tho amount of gold obtained, lie thanked them especially for the references to Mrs Jones who had heen a true helpmate, and thanked them for their kino present which they both deeply appre-

ciated. Mr .T, ;nes then proposed the health of his successors, Mr and Mrs Snell, which was supported hv Hon 11. L Michel and heartily honored. Mr Snell in replying, said he appreciated the very hearty welcome given him and recognised that he had a hard task to live tip to the standard set hy Mr and Mrs Julies. However his wife and himself were triers and they would do their best to live op to the requirements, and he felt sure that ho would have their hearty co-operation. He concluded by again expressing his appreciation of the hearty reception of the toast. The health of the ladies present was proposed hv Mr Kvans and responded to by Messrs Devaney and A. Dowell. After Messrs Mclntosh and \V. Burroves had also spoken the very pleasant function came to a conclusion.