ADDRESS TO MR. REEVES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5270, 13 February 1878, Page 2

ADDRESS TO MR. REEVES.

At one o’clock yesterday the employes on the Queen’s Wharf presented to Mr. Reeves the following address, accompanied by a very handsomely framed collection of their photographs, which many of our readers may have seen exhibited in Cuba-street »u Saturday evening last. Mr. Kennedy, after a few suitable introductory remarks, read the address : “ To Edward Reeves, Esq., on his retirement from the office of Wharfinger to the City Council of Wellington : “Dear Sir, —We, the permanent staff and employes on the wharf, being desirous of expressing our feelings towards you, take advantage of the present time, when you have been obliged to sever your connection with us, to say how much we regret the necessity that has arisen to cause you to do so. During the two years you have filled the office wo have found you a steady friend, always willing to promote our interests when consistent with your duty, and anxious to smooth over any difficulties that tended in any way to disturb the mutual good feeling which should always exist amongst the members of the staff. We shall always remember the kindly spirit evinced towards us all, and can only express our deep regret that circumstances did not permit you to retain your post, which you filled so worthily, and to the entire satisfaction of the City Council. Permit us, in conclusion to present you with a slight memorial of the past. It has taken the form we believe you wished it should, and may servo in after years to bring to your memory the few friends who worked for and with you on the Queen’s Wharf.” Mr. Reeves replied as follows : Gentlemen, X beg most sincerely to thank you for the very handsome gift you have now presented to me. If you had thought for a mouth you could not have chosen anything I would value more or which would keep fresher in my recollection during future years all the pleasantest part of my duties here. These duties were not of uumixed pleasure at first, as I had much to contsud with, which it is as well, now that the worK is thoroughly well organised and works smoothly, not to forget; and if in the discharge of my duties I have offended any, or come in the way of any interests, I trust that no illfeeling will now remain. When I first took the management of the wharf I found a very different state of things. My office was a sinecure. The labor and tolls were divided, and I speedily discovered that if things went ou as they commenced the city would lose about £IOOO a year. I am happy to think that by my individual efforts, among other improvements, I effected the junction of the toll and labor departments, which not only enables me to see all your friendly faces f round me ou

this occasion, but also saves the city a clear £2OOO a year. Another difficult duty was to do justice to each of the staff, without preference or favoritism. You have no idea how anxiously I weighed that duty in every change made amongst you. There i* an old adage—“ When two ride on one horse one must ride behind.” I heartily wish every one of you could have had a separate horse, so that you could all have ridden in front. Gentlemen, I beg again to thank you heartily for this flattering address and handsome gift. It shall have the place of honor in my home.