VALEDICTORY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7940, 13 January 1906, Page 5

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATIONS TO MR BERT F. TOi.

Yesterday afternoon a pleasing function took place at the Wairarapa Age office when the various staffs of the paper gathered round the 4 "stone" to bid farewell to Mr Bert F. Toy, who has been sub-edi-tor for the past three years, and who is leaving to day on his return to Australia Mr A. C. Major, proprietor, speaking on behalf of the staff, made a presentation of a handsome watch, suitably insoribed, and chain, and a set of Leowe pipes, to Mr Toy, and in doing so said that tney had met together to bid goodbye to Mr Toy, and to show their appreciation of him and his good fellowship. During the time MiToy bad been associated with the Age it had made marked prugress, and Mr Toy had done his share ip the work of development, and done it well. '.Applause). They all regretted Mr Toy's departure, and on behalf of all ho wished him every suoceas in the future. Mr Major then formally presented the souvenirs. Mr F. Richards, foreman of the night staff, and Mr J. A. Robertson, accountant, also spoke a few words, and referred to the good feeling existing between Mr Toy and the staff, and to the former's many good qualities. They wished the departing journalist every success in the future. Mr Major then proposed Mr Toy's health, which was enthusiastically drunk. Mr Toy, in replying, said it was not often that ho was "stuck" for something to say, but on this occasion he was at an utter loss to express appreciation of their kind action. He had been in many States, and towns, and had met many journalists at different functions, but nothing had impressed him so much as the one that afternoon. The staff had always worked amicably together, and" ho felt leaving old friends in the office more than he could express. It was more than an ordinary wrench. The Age itself was well established, and must continue to go ahead with the good chief to pilot it along, and a capable and enthusiastic ataf*. The health of Mrs Toy and family was then drunk, after which Mr Toy proposed the health of "MiMajor and success and prosperity to the Wairarapa Age." A most nleasing function thou concluded. The watoh bore the inscription: "To Bert F. Toy, Esq., from the staff of the Wairarapa Age, Masterton, Now Zealand, January 12, 1906." In the evening the whole staff sat down to au enjoyable supper at Maltby's restaurant, Mr Major pre. siding.