VALEDICTORY GATHERING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2500, 13 May 1909, Page 4

VALEDICTORY GATHERING.

FAREWELL TO MR. E. RICHARDS

Ono of the most representative gatherings ever held in Gisborne took place last evening on the Farmers’ dub robins, Masonic Hotel. The object was to bid farewell to Mr. Enoch Richards, who for several years has resided an Gisborne. Ho was for some years in the omploy of Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. as shipping clerk, and afterwards 'he established businesses at Whatatutu and Tologa Bay, which somo time back were disposed of, Mr. Richards having recently accepted a position in Nelson. A very large number of his private friends and of the business people of the town met to say good-bye to him, fully 40 persons being in attendance. Mr. W. Pettio was voted to the chair, and in highly eulogistic terms enumerated manv good qualities possessed by Mr. Richards, which had endeared him to so many friends, a fact which, Mr. Pettie said, could not be better illustrated than by the large number of .business) people who had assembled to say farewell and to wish Mr. Richards success in his new sphere of work. On. behalf ot those present and many others, the Chairman asked Mr. Richards to accept an address and a handsome case of pipes, which, he hoped, would remind him when seeking solace in the weed, of his- many friends and well wishers left in Gisborne. . The health of the guest was then enthusiastically drunk. Messrs F. Hall, R. Johnston, A. T. Hookey, N. Hooper, G. K. Pasley, A. F. Kennedy, and J. Colley in very eulogistic terms expressed their pleasure in being present to testify to Mr Richards’ strict integrity and to their regret at his departure, and to wish him the greatest possible measure of health and prosperity in his new home. Advantage was taken of the opportunity to drink the health of the Hon. J. Carroll, who had been asked to attend. Mr. Carroll replied, but, refraining from speaking about the toast, gave an eloquent and touching farewell to the departing guest. After referring briefly to the various ups and downs of business life, and the unfortunate position to which one might] be brought by disaster, he said it was especially gratifving that Gisborne people rose to the occasion and always gave their departing friends reason to feel their friendship was none the less real, and that a man could be a man for a’ that. The remarks of the Hon. J. Carroll were deeply appreciated, both by the guest of the evening and all others present. Mr. E. Richards, in replying to the toast and presentation, said that words failed him to express his feelings of gratitude for the kindly expressions he had heard. He had been greatly taken by surprise, a nd the presentation of the beautiful address and the handsome present would never be forgotten by him. “Auld Lang Syne” was then sung, the solo being given by the Hon. J. Carroll in Maori, the assembly joining in the chorus. Mr. E. Richards left by last night s steamer for Nelson.