VALEDICTORY.

Shannon News, 26 April 1927, Page 3

VALEDICTORY.

FAREWELL TO MR AND MRS JAS. MURRAY. A public farewell was tendered to Mr. and Mrs J. W. Murray at the Druids ’ Hall on .Thursday evening a..d the high esteem in which the depaTtin guests are held in Shannon and district w'as evinced by a large and i. presentative gathering, visitors being 1 resent from Wellington, North, Feilding and the sunoundi g townships, apologies for be-ing-/received from Mr. and. j^ r£ L?; r ' Garter (Levin), Dr. McDonald (Wellington), Messrs. A. Mitchell. < Z^ H. Bartholomew (Kaikoura), H. Jo es (postmaster), Mr and (Te Puke), Messrs W. and T. Moymhan (Shannon) and Messrs J. A. Nash and J ’The D hali e had been tastefully decorated with gold and black streamers and ferns and presented a pleasing siR • • The evening took the form of a dam. and social, items being rendered by. The commercial travellers (Messrs Pizzey, Roberston, A • Simpson and Huggms>; C.. Cronqiiest and H. McDonald. Dance music was nlaved by Mrs Butler and Mr. Mason, and Miss Neale and her pupils, Mr. Huggins (Palmerston North) playing the accompaniments for the vocal items. Messrs Watterston, Blackwood, Morgan, Cronquest and Gagliardi were in’ charge of the programme, the ladies providing th On U their 'arrival at the hall the guests were greeted with musical honours, Hhe gathering, singing For tue* are Jolly Good Fellows”. It is 22 years'.-since-Mr. Murray cam-, to Shannon and his first job was on a dairy farm. He left there to work in a sawmill, afterwards securing employment as an assistant in a grocery store owned by the late Mr. Geo. Hall. Some three years later he purchased a general stori business which he conducted for some years, later giving up business and joining the Shannon CoOp. Dairy Co. as secretary and- store manager, a position Which he has filled •with marked ability -for the eleven years. He has also been agent for the State Fire Insurance Co. for some L vears. Mr Murray has helped the town in a very useful public life. He was one of those who advocated forming Shannon injto a borough, acting as honorary secretary for' twelve months in the work in connection with ■ the formation of the borough and was at terwards a member of the Council for s,ome seven years during which he ren dered valuable service. He .Iso took a great interest in /education, being chairman of the local school committee for eight years. From a sporting point of view Mr. Murray ,has always shown a keen interest in all sport, having at different periods been president of the Football, Bowling ienms Clubs: being a honorary member. tor life of the latter Club. He also a keen golfing enthusiast. In fact, ah classes of. general sport have been strongly supported by him,. By his de parture, Shannon is losing a citizen, who is a valuable asset to the town in which he resides. . ~ Opportunity was taken during _ the evening to present Mr. Murray with a well-filled wallet as a token of the citizens’ good wishes. Prior to this Mr H.' Spencer, speaking on behalf or tne sporting bodies, said that he was probably one of Mr. Murray’s, oldest chums, having been associated with him in business, sport, the social hour, and in public life. In all he had always given of his best and given freely. As the years slipped by Shannon was losing old familiar faces, and Mr. and Mrs Murray’s departure was yet another break in the chain. I hey were all exceedingly sorry to bid rarewell but it would be with the wish that, their guests would reap happiness end prosperity in their new home. The hand of welcome would always be extended to them should they visit Shann°Mr. Morrison (Palmerston North) paid a tribute to Mr. Murray as a busmess man and friend, Who he said was held in the highest respect by business men with whom lie came in contact. He would have the best wishes of them all in his new sphere. Mn Blackwood also spoke a few woids of farewell, th'anking y Mr. Murray on behalf of the Public Works Department’s staff, for the many courtesies received. He had helped at their social functions and he had always found him one of the good old sports. Ombehalf cf the staff he wished Mr. and Mw Murray and family every happme-.s, trusting that tllcir life in Featherston would be even happier than that spent in Shannon.

On behalf of the citizens of Shannon and surrounding districts, His Woiship the Mayor, in asking Mr. Murray to accept the presentation, stated it was a token of the good fellowship and high esteem in which he was held. 7*e < itizens of 1 Featherson, he felt su-e, would soon realise the loss Shannon had sustained by their gain. After wishing the guests health and prosperity in their new home he called upon all present to rise and sing “For They Are Jolly Good Fallows,” the singing being followed by hearty cheexs.

On rising to reply Mr. Murray was greeted with rounds of applause. I have met you,” he said, “during past 22 years under very different circumstances from those under which I meet vou tonight, I have met you in public life, and in private life, but I did not expect •to meet such a large gathering at this our farewell evening. I had not the slighest idea that in the 22 years I would have so many real friends to say farewell to. I think I can say; without wishing to boast, that this gathering reflects credit on myself, there being so many genuine friends, some of whom have come a long distance to pay tribute to me I think I am justified in saying I have not got an enemy.” Referring to his arrival in Shannon 22 years ago, he said he was not ashamed to say he was “rignt, up against it”. Being a single man, he had been floating about the world enjoying life regardless of finance. He then traversed his career up to his pressent position. During l\is eleven years’ servies, with the dairy company he could safely say he had never quarrelled with any/ of the shareholders. His object in resigning. was. simply to bet-

ter himself and he was going therston with hopeful expectations. On behalf of his wife and fam-ly he thanked them all for the wonderful gathering and many kindnesses and fer the friendship'extended to them by the business, sporting and social world. He said that among his first friends m Shannon were Mr. and Mrs John .Mitchell and Mr v and Mrs M. Moynihae all of whom had since, passed away, and here he .referred to the sad loss sustained by the Moynihan family by the recent death of Mr. Rewi Moyuil.an and asked all present to stand in silence as a mark of. sympathy to t.ie relatives. In conclusion, lie said it was not possible to leave Shannon and such a wide vircle of friends without marv iegrets. Should any visit Featherston they would always find an open hand and a welcome to their home. Mr. Murray then introduced his successor, Mr, Stewart, who extended his hear'y good wishes to Mr. and Mrs Murray and family. . . A most- - enjoyable function was brought; to a close shortly after mid , night by all joining hands and singing “Auld Lang Syne”, after which Mr. and Mrs Murray were chaired around the room. presentation from dairy COMPANY. Oh the occasion of Mr. Murray severing his eleven years’ service with the Shannon 00-operative Dairy Co., a vdeasing function took place at the company’s office on Saturday, when he was the recipient of a substantial cheque from the company as an apprec iation of the services rendered by him, ..The chairman (Mr. R. Waring Taylor), on behalf of the directors, also presented him with .a very handsome Tudnc pewter tea service. Later Mr. Am., manager of the factory, on behalt of the store and factory employees,- asked Mr. Murray to accept a beautiful bronze smoker’s companion mounted bn a twofoot ebony stand, as a token of the high respect and esteem in which he was held by his fellow employees. He feelingly eulogised Mr. Murray’s fine qualities, stating that in different departments they had worked togetlur side by side in harmony and lie. sincerely regretted his departure. Mr Murray has also been the recipient of quite a number of presents from private persons and (letters from business firnis paying their tribute to him as a business man and friend.