A SURPRISE PARTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 135, 16 September 1910, Page 2

A SURPRISE PARTY.

A WARM WELCOME HOME. Messrs. Geo. Ramson and J. C. Morey, jun., who returned to New Plymouth yesterday morning from a trip to Jiurope, were surprised—when they responded to an invitation to "come across and have a dry soda"—to find at the Imperial Hotel about forty of their personal and business friends and a wellfurnished luncheon table waiting to do them honour, and their surprise was' good to see. When the glotee-trotting guests had received the hearty handshake of the colonial from each and every one present, the Mayor launched the toast of "The King," which was loyally honoured, and then Mr. Tiseh, on beiiaif of friends present and many others, tendered a yery hearty welcome to the guests. Whilst these gentlemen had practically • encircled the globe in the last seven months, their friends here I had followed them in their imagination! through all the sights of the big cities and their pleasures in "gay ' Paree," along the boulevards and in the Moulin Rouge. So, when they returned, it was but natural that they should all foregather and say "good-day" and "welcome home." Mr. Geo. Grey proposed the health of the guests, whom he described as per-j sonal friends as well as valued members' of the business tommunity—men who had become, endeared to their fellow-, men by the kindly word, the warm grip of friendship, and a good turn to their fellow-men in due season, —men who left a blank when they went away. | Mr. Ramson expressed his surprise and pleasure at the honour conferred on him by this gathering, and remarked that they had had an excellent holiday, seen some of the largest cities, of the world, and returned more than ever satisfied with their "own little lot." Mr. Morey also replied in similar strain, and, referred to some ol the places visited en route. What had impressed most on his travels was the affection of the Londoner for the late King, and the grief which pervaded the whole community from coster to duke. They had visited America, and Canada after leaving and though there was much to interest, he was quite satisfied with New Plymouth, the town that had treated him so well, and with the best people he had ever met. \ Mr. J. D. Sole was asked by the Mayor to say. a word or two, and he welcomed the travellers home. He had worked under Mr. Ramson, who was one of the best "bosses" a man could work under, and now as an opponent in business he knew of none who was fairer or more just. Mr. N. K. MacDiarmid, in asking the assemblage to drink to the continued prosperity of New Plymouth, said it was generally admitted that there was more prosperity in the North Island than in the South Island, and there was more prosperity in Taranaki than elsewhere in the island. Taranaki had had good seasons, produce exports were steadily increasing, prices were high, and the people were in good heart. The only drawback was that the people were not becoming permanently settled. There was too much selling out of farms. ' Mr. T. C. Schnackenberg, in responding, expressed the, opinion that there could be no doubt of our continued prosperity, now that we had a 'good harbor. If they could persuade "the powers that be" to open up some of the idle lands in the back-blocks, it would be all the better; . !: "The Host" and "The Press" were also toasted, and the gathering dispersed. I