PRESENTATIONS TO MR. AND MRS. GRAVE, O AMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, 11 March 1915, Page 13

PRESENTATIONS TO MR. AND MRS. GRAVE, O AMARU.

Balfour’s Tea Room, Oamaru, was crowded on the evening of February 23, on the occasion of a farewell to Mr. J. B. Grave, who was about to leave for Dunedin, where he has been appointed manager of the local branch, of the New Zealand Insurance Company. The Mayor (Mr. W. H. Frith) occupied the chair, having on his right the guest of the evening, and on his left Mr. E. P. Lee, M.P. (says the North Otayo Times'). _ After the customary toasts had been honored, the chairman proposed the ‘ Guest of the evening, and in doing so said he had known Mr. Grave ever since his boyhood, and had always found him a man to depend upon and trust. He was a gentleman who had not mixed much in public life, but had nevertheless always taken a keen interest in the welfare of the town. The regret felt on his departure was mitigated by the knowledge that their guest was bettering his position. Mr. Lee said that he felt they could not let their guest leave Oamaru without some marks of appreciation of the good feeling which Mr. Grave and his wife and family enjoyed amongst them. lie strongly felt such an expression to be due to their guest. He asked their guest’s acceptance of a gold albert and purse of sovereigns, and on behalf of Mrs. Grave a diamond ring, together with a gold necklet for each of his three daughters. Appreciative speeches, endorsing the remarks of the chairman and Mr. Lee, were made by Messrs. H. M. Roxby, R. Milligan, F. Marshall, O. R. Wise, and P. Duggan. • Mr. Grave, in Veplying, said he felt a. very proud man, and that he never for a moment dreamt that he would receive such a ‘send-off.’ Me had spent the whole of his life in Oamaru, and, naturally, felt keenly the severing of his connection with the town. lie concluded by thanking them for their presentations to himself, his wife, and his family. On the previous evening Mrs. J. B. Grave and hexdaughters were entertained by a number of lady friends at the residence of Mr. P. Kelly, North, road. The entertainment took the form of a musical evening. Despite the inclement weather there was a large attendance of ladies, a fact which testifies to the high esteem in which Mrs. Grave and family arc held. After a pleasing programme of musical items, refreshments were dispensed, and then followed the most important event of the evening— viz., a presentation to the esteemed guests. The present to Mrs. Grave was an oak and silver tray and epergne, to Miss Kathleen Grave a gold bracelet, to Miss Eveline a gold bangle, and to Miss Tui a pendant and chain. The Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay, in making the presentation, paid a very high tribute to Mrs. Grave and family. The Monsignor mentioned his long acquaintance with Mrs. Grave and her husband, and expressed his deep regret at their departin'© from Oamaru, where they had endeared themselves to all who had shared their friendship. He concluded by wishing Mrs. Grave and her daughters many years of health and happiness. The Plunket Committee met at Mrs. Whitten’s to say good-bye to Mrs. Grave. The president (Mrs. Lee) said how very sorry the committee was to lose such a valued memberone who was always ready to help in every way the work of the society, and asked Mrs. Grave to accept a small token of their appreciation to remind her of her work on the committee, and wished her much happiness in her now home. Mr. Grave took charge of the Dunedin office on March 1.