Presentation.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 32, 8 February 1904, Page 2

Presentation.

On Saturday evening between twenty and thirty members 01' the H'ftllU: fciul loco stall at the New I'lyniou'ih railway station met at l:he Taiuimki Hold to honour Mr M. Stephenson, loco' foreman, who bus now relirod alter thirty years servive oil i the N'ew /.i-aUiiul railways. iMr O'l.oughlin, slationinaster, occupied the chair, and al'lcr making brief though complimentary reference to -Air fcHephenson's consitaiut and diligent application to his Important duties, asked him to accept at the hands ol' the members oi the stall', a comfortable arm-chair and mat, a case ol' line siher-moiyited mwrS'Cihamu and briar pi{M_\s, silver match-box, . knife and tobacco-jar. Kveryojie on the stall*, s-aid the chairman, liked and inspected the retiring foreman, ami wisilio.l that lie might be spared for many years to enjoy the use of the articles given him as a tokm of their respect aiwi appreciation of his kimdness to them and faithful service to the department.

Mr Stephenson, who said lit 1 was completely surprised by the magnitude of the gill—'he had expected a P*<e f perhaps—'happily repjlied, regretting that his aidvancing years utode it necessary Uittt he should retire. et he lelt that it wus but Kit diw, lor he had worked on railways for marly sixty years in various capacities, serving on t-he (Jreut Northeastern in Knglawd, in h-'gypt, and in lindia, before commencing his service* vvi'tll the Provincial Government in Canterbury in 1874. Thosu weru the "good old tluy»." .Since then lie Imd occupied responsible positions in Awhburton, Tiniani, Napier, V* linerston North, and lastly, in New Plymouth. i(e had workxid for arid aniongwt all classes of men, but had not found a better set of workers thian those with whom he had had to deal in Ne\r Plymouth. From the youngest cleaner to the oldest driver they did their work honestly and squarely. He hud worked in a cold country, on the Norti>-Eustern railj way ; in the hottest country of the world, India ; and in the most arid, P't ; 'liwre lie had found a sublimu climate, und here ha would spend his declining years in sound of th-e whistles he Knew so well, lie thanked bin friwls heartily lor the plantation, unid ottered his assistance to any who wanted his advice on matters pertaitning to their aidviajicemcnt in the service. Messrs Moris'on ajnd Munders, who had known the recipient for over 20 yeairs, amd Mr ,J. iloskbi, on behalf of the limnen, also spoke. So-ngs vvem sung and several toasts honoured, arid a pleasant evening was brought to a close by tho .singing of "Auld Lang Syne."