PRESENTATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1918, Page 6

PRESENTATION.

TO MR. FRED WATSON. i At a meeting of the Taranaki Agricultural Society, held on Saturday, a presentation was made to Mr. I'. Watson, in recognition of his years of service as 11 member of the committee of the society. In making the presentation the chairman (Mr. J. S. C'onnett) «aid it was with very general regret that the members of the society had learned at the last annual meetinjj'of Mr. Watson's intention to retire from office lie had been looked upon as one of the pillars or the association, and it was not until after his retirement that the members realised how much he had really done for the society. He had stuck to the society through all its vicissitudes, and the committee had looked upon him as an ideal committeeman, who had always carried out his duties regularly and punctually, and in that way he had been an example to all the others- They could not, however, allow him to retire without some tangible expression of their appreciation of his work and of their esteem for him personally. He, therefore, on behalf of the society, presented to him, as a token of his lifemembership, a gold medal badge, which he said was only given in rare instances, and which he hoped Mr. Watson would long be spared to wear. On behalf of the committee he presented Mr. Watson with a beautiful solid silver fruit dish bearing the following inscription: "Presented to Mr. Fred Watson by the committee of the Taranaki Agricultural Society, in recognition of his 20 years' service as a member of the coSamittee. March 23, 1918."

Mr. Watson, in returning thanks, said he deeply appreciated the kind things said and the presentation made. He felt there were others more entitled to life-membership of the society than lie was. What services he had rendered had been given in the best interests of the society. He trusted the society would continue on the up-grade. He urged the committee to work in full co-operation among themselves and with the officials, and said if he could be of any service to the society in an official capacity he \yould be pleased to render what help' lie could. (Applause)