PRESENTATION TO MR. JOHN BROWN, KURANUI COMPANY.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 26, 6 November 1871, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO MR. JOHN BROWN, KURANUI COMPANY.

On Saturday night the employees of the Kuranui battery assembled at the Governor Bowen Hotel to present the late Manager, Mr. John' Brown, with a token of their esteem and respect on his {giving up his position as manager of the battery. Mr. Kernick was voted to the chair. Ho said he felt pleasure at being in thebosition lie then was, and was very glad indeed to see the men taking the action they were doing. Mr. Brown had been manager of the battery for nearly four years, and during that time he had gained the entire confidence of the company and the respect of all those under him. For two years lie himself had known him personally, and they had got on most amicably together. He (Mr. Brown) seemed to have struck the happy medium so hard to get at, and whilst doing his duty honestly and uprightly towajds the Kuranui company, he had also gained the respect and esteem of the men under him. He might say that one of the directors when informed that Mr. Brown was about to leave, had expressed his regret that the company should lose his (Mr. Brown’s) services. He (Mr. Kernick) hoped that now that lie would be brought more into contact with them they would agree as well as the gentleman about to leave them had done. He would now call on Mr. Fisher to read the address and make the presentation to Mr Brown. Mr Fisher read a neat and and appropriate address signed by all the men, and presented the gift, a very handsome French timepiece, about two feet in height the principal ornament being a representation of Diana and the Fawn beautifully finished, supplied by Mr Kohn of Auckland.

Mr. Brown, in reply, said that he thanked them all from the bottom of his heart for the kind manner in which they had behaved towards him by presenting him with a valuable timepiece, such as that now before him. He did not value it for its intrinsic worth but as the spontaneous and unanimous gift of the men who had been so long working under him. He did not think he would have left so many friends behind him as he was doing, or that they would have behaved in so handsome a manner. During his time with them he might have often been sharp with them at times, but he hoped that would now all he forgotten, as he very often said more than he really meant, and that all those things would be buried in oblivion. He was proud to see so many friends present, as he placed great value on the opinion of all good and true men, nearly as much as he did on that of all good ladies. Again thanking them kindly lie told them that that evening would always be a sunny spot in his memory as long as he 'lived. (Applause.) A vote of thanks having been proposed to Mr. Kernick, the company proceeded to discuss some good liquors provided by host Anthony. Mr Brown proposed the health of the Kuranui Company in a neat speech, and it was enthusiastically responded to. Mr Perrier proposed the “ Prosperity of the Field,” coupled with the name of Mr William Rowe.

Mr Rowe, juu., responded. The “Commercial Interestwas proposed by Mr S. Young, and responded to by Mr Briton. Mr Brown proposed the “ Press,” which was responded to by Mr llopcraft and tlie other gentlemen of the Fourth Estate present. After a song or two the company dispersed, having spent a very pleasant and enjoyable evening.