Farewell Smoker.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 34, 28 March 1913, Page 3

Farewell Smoker.

PRESENTATION TO MR J. \V. WILSON. On hearing that Mr J. W. Wilson was about to leave Huntly on a trip to the Old Country after an absence of nearly twenty years, it was decided to accord him a send off that would show the respect an 1 esteem in which he and his family are held. Accordingly, a committee of the Huntly Rod and Gun Club, consisting of Messrs J. A. Parkes W. Jolly, F. Littleproud, Wm. Speirs and C. Starr, was appointed, the best testimony to their work being the huge sue- j cess attendant up >a the function, 1 Which t .ok the form of a smoke ! ■ > ch ; 'President of the Club presided in place of Mi’ J. P. Hailey who w. ( s detained in Aucklan 1 on important business con looted with the welfare of the town. Some fifty g mtlumea wore present and with s ags, recitations, toasts and stories a most enjoyable and happy evening was spent, everything from the opening toast of "I nc King t ' the singing of “ Auld Lang Syne going off wit !v oat a hitch. G “I fellowship prevaile 1. while the key-note of the various speeches was a sincere wish for the enjoyment of Mr and Mrs Wilson during their voyage and trip. Mr Farrar it a- aceimpanist, was a host in himself, and the various concerted it ms played by him and by Idesssrs J. and \V. Darby added greatly t - the general enjoyment. During the evening songs were rendered ly Mc -rs- T. Britton, W. Darby, J. Doupios. H. Hanson, G. Shaw, W. Jolly and C. Starr, and recitations were contributed by Messrs .1. Douglas, Pringle, J. W. Wilson and W. \Y i Is. the nam i • t msts being proposed in a fitting manner an I responded to with enthusiasm. Da presenting the guest of the evening, whose health was pledged again and again with musical honours, the chainuan ref: rred to Mr Wilson’s connection with various local institutions such as the school committee and the Public Library, and eulogised his efforts to help the progress of Huntly, in the growth and expansion of which he had played his part so well. As a reputable citizen their guest had done well for the town in which lu> had established a prosperous and growing business, whi’e a: a clean and ardent sportsman his example was well worthy of emulation. Mr J. Parkas fully en lorsed the remarmks of the chairman, and in a humorous vein touched on the characteristics of Mr Wilson, Mr J. Valentine, win followed, speaking on the IiKimihift residents had sustain'd when Mr Wils ;:i left t’i it. “ suburb ” to take up his residence in the mining iown. On behalf of the roU-lents of Kimihia Mr Valentine expressed the hope that Mr and Mrs Wilson would have a mosi enjoyable trip, and return rejuvenated from the Old Land t > settle darn agiin in his home where, ha trusted, a and useful life would be pasteed. As a tangible token of the esteem and respect of his numerous f. lends, and as a momonto of their good v. tshes, the chairman asked Mr Wilson to accept a handsome dressing case which would sometimes remind him of tile pies cult ncMsiwi as well as the pin -ant times he had -lit in Huntly. Mr Wilson in feeling terms thanked all present for the honour conferred on him, and stated that the dressing-case and the many kind things said of him would always be a pleasant memory and a reminder of the many Huntly and Kimihia friends whom lie hoped to meat again in the course of a few months. With cheers for Mr and Mrs Wilson and their family a enjoyable evening came to an end.