PRESENTATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 267, 9 April 1914, Page 7

PRESENTATION.

TO REV. J. W. BURTON. TOURIST AND EXPANSION LEAGUE. .SOUK INTERKSIIXU IU2.MABKK. A very plea-sing gatherim? took place at Messrs. May and Arrow-smith's tea rooms yesterday afternoon, when members of the executive of the New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League were the guests of the chairman to afternoon tea, opportunity being taken of the- occasion to say farewell to the Revd. J". AV. Burton, who has been tin active member of the executive since the inception of the League. There were present:—Messrs. 'J 1 . 0. List (chairman), W. A. Collis (secretary), 8. Teed, Jas. Jlorey. E. Whittle, J. McLeorl, K. Webster. A. E. Sykes, P. G. White, J. R. Cruickshank. S. W. Shaw, W. 0. Weston, G. W. Henderson, and Geo. Tabor.

After a dainty afternoon tea had been discussed, Mr. List expressed pleasure at so full an attendance <of members of' the executive, which could bo taken as evidence of appreciation of Mi. Burton's services on behalf of the League, and of the reeret -which all felt at -his coming departure. The executive felt ithey could not allow Mr. Burton to leave without marking the occasion in some tangibl manner. 11-3 ■need not say that from its inccntion Mr. Burton had been of great assistance to the League, for the- knew 'him for a man who, excelled in anything he took up. H,e was a man brimful of ideas, pushful and progressive. No member of the League had done more useful work. On the literary side of .the League's efforts he had been of great assistance, and he had been looking forward to Mr. Burton's help in the somewhat more ambitious literature which the League would in the near future compile. Mr. Burton, he remarked, woukl have excelled in any department of life. He would have made an excellent Cook's manager, for be knew the value of organis : n" unit advertising, and., what ms even more important, how to pet the bent results from advertising. No concern, he continued, in this or anv other town had secured better results from' its advertising campaign in the newspapers and by booklets, envelopes, and the cinematograph. H,e could' not help saying, howover, that the League was capable of more work than it had done. The greatest drawback was the lack of money. On the extent of financial support accorded to it by the townspeople depended the measure of the success of its ef-. forts. The members of the League had from its inception worked loyally and effectively, often at preat sacrifice and inconvenience. The town was deeply indebted to them, and partitularly to Mr Burton. Men like liim ! were few. mid New Plymouth coijld not* afford tp lose him. Mr Burton would, however, be able to do a lot for the town and the League in Australia. Recently hi' had told them that whilst in Australia lately he had hardly met anyone who knew where New Plymouth wit?. Mr. Burton could, in his own way, help to remove this ignorance, lie had. ou belialf of the League, to present him with a souvenir ofthe district that would enable him to convince people with who,.lie might discuss the scenic attractions ami beauties of New Plymouth anil district 1 that he was not unduly enthu-ias-tic. lie then handed liim an album containing a splendid selection of views of the town and district, some specially taken. The album born the inscriptions "Presented to the Rev. J. \Y. Burton by. his fellow-members of the Executive of the New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League, on the occasion of his leaving the district." Mr Lisl concluded by wishing, on behalf of the executive, Mr Burton long life, good health, and success in his new sphere of labor.

MR BURTON'S REPLY. Air Burton l , in acknowledging the gift, runmrked that lie deeply appreciated the souvenir, which lie would prize highly ana hand down to bis family. Tie appreciated not .only the gift hut the fact that it was made at a gathering of so many pi the fellow-townsmen and members of the League oil which hi l had worked. He had taken a keen interest in the work of the League, beeau-c he Imd felt that the district had not trot all it* goods in the shop window, and could well afford to advert i-» New Plymouth's scenic assets. He had travelled \"cw Zealand from t!#> North Cape to the P.lulV, and seen something of most, of its towns and villages, and could .-ay. without, fear of contradiction, that, • part from liotonia. thert were in Npv Zealand no more attractive types of scenic heautv than were to be fmiml in profusion in New Plymouth ami district, lie thought the reason that there wis not a greater tourist traffic to the town was Jifcauie this fact was not. well enough known, and in this conned ion the League had done much to proclaim to all sections of the public the fact that New. Plymouth was a, resort for lioliday, recreation and rest, among nniipie scenic attractions. One thing I hut lie had appreciated, very much was the harmony with which members of the executive of the League—on which were all sorts and condition? 1 of men—linn worked. Though ko diversified in tvpe. the executive of tile League had worked in perfect unanimity, and with consist, cut. loyalty, lie th'anked them a! 1 ;'ncercly for their gift, which, hj" believed, carrred. with it the good wishes of all hi- fellow-members, nnd lie would eiwnvtreasure the niemorv nf his association with the League. He had been traited, not. ju.-t as a parson, but as a m:>:i ainoni:' men. 1 thanked theie N'v M.er' courtesy, frankness and alTe'tioa. a~el wished the League a future, of va-t prosperity. Hi- reference-.to the future work of tin' League are reported elsewhere. The galherini; broke up i.'ith "'For l)e\ a -Mlv Good Fellow," r.-.d cheersfor Mr liurtou.