PRESENTATION TO DOCK OFFICIAL

A meeting of the Harbour and Dredging Department employees was held at the Harbour Office, on Monday evening last, with the object of presenting to Mr. William Artis, who is retiring from the position of dockyard storekeeper, with a suitable testimonial of the esteem and regard in which he is held by his colleagues. Regrets owing to absence were tendered by Mr. J. Thomson, general stores; Captain Thomas, dock master; Captain Ashton, p.s. “Lady Moyra”; Captain Hill, p.s. “Lady Evelyn,” and others, at the same time wishing the recipient health and happiness.

Commander Bissett, R.N., in making the presentation, remarked “I have been requested by those employes (sic) of the Harbour and Dredging Departments with which Mr. Artis has been associated for the last 40 years, to say a few words in expression of the goodwill they felt towards him on the occasion of his retirement from the position of storekeeper. What would otherwise have been a very pleasant duty is marred in the loss that they had sustained in parting with such an old and valued servant, who, from what he could learn on all sides, had carried out his work with such very great diligence and with satisfaction to the company by whom he had been employed. Speaking for himself, Commander Bissett said he had always found Mr. Artis most trustworthy and painstaking, and he regretted that, owing to a rule that is bound to be obeyed by all of them when their time came, that it should necessitate his retirement. Owing to his illimitable knowledge of the important branch of business with which he had been connected, He (Commander Bissett) would very much have desired that Mr. Artis could have stayed with him for a considerable time longer, as he would have been of very great benefit to him for some years to come. But apart from this, he extremely regretted parting with one who had given the best part of his life to the service of the company. (Applause). Mr. Artis’s fellow employees did not, however, desire the event to pass without making some recognition of their recognition of the able and zealous manner in which he had carried out his duties during the performance of which most of them, from the highest to the lowest, had been brought into contact with him. He (the speaker) had therefore pleasure in presenting with a very handsome gold albert (a kind of watch chain usually attached to a waistcoat – RMW) and pendant along with a purse containing gold, which had been most freely and heartily subscribed for by those with whom Mr. Artis had been associated in token of their earnest esteem and regard. And on behalf of the employees … he (the speaker) also desired to express their sincere gratitude for his many acts of kindness and a hope that a rest from the continuous strain of his labours might be beneficial, and that he might for many years be spared to enjoy health and happiness. (Applause)

Mr. J. Welch having supported the Harbour Master.

Mr. William Artis, in replying, said that it was with difficulty he could find words to express his thanks for the kindness shown him by those with whom he had spent the greater part of his life. He had also to thank the Harbour Master for his kindness since it had become inevitable that he should retire. He could only hope that his successor may make as many friends as he had done during his business career, and that he would be treated in the same kind and liberal manner. He thanked them all most heartily for their kind expressions and the very handsome presents they had given him to mark the event of his retirement. A vote of thanks for the chairman terminated the meeting.