Accompanying this was an address which sets out so well the reasons for the gift, that it is enough to give it in extenso:—Shanghai, dth February, 1902.
Dear Sir:—
Upon the occasion of your leaving Shanghai, we, the undersigned members of the Municipal Council, desire to express to you our regret at your departure and our appreciation of the loss which we and the foreign Community in general will suffer from your absence. It is almost unnecessary for us to allude hero to the yood work which you have done in years past for Shanghai, since in the minds of those who are concerned in the administration of the settlement your name ever be asccciated with its best trad and much of its progress. Nevertheless we wish to place on record as representing the Community which you have served so frequently and well our appreciation of your high personal qualities and public spirit. In offering you this bowl as a souvenir of this occasion we wish you and Mrs. Morrison a pleasant journey and we hope that in your new home you may long enjoy health and prosperity We remain, Dear Sir.
Yours very sincerely, Jou PRENTICE, 0. Mevser, Hexry R.' Krswear, S. A. Harpoos, R. Ixcras.
G. J. Morriso:
Shanghai.
The presentation is the more noteworthy, and does Mr. Morrison the greater honour, since it is the first of its kind.
Thomas Weir, superintendent of the Com-Puy, WO Is suUsuy leaving Lor WoUKe. Ar. Weir Was prescaved Wits a gud warch and cham and with an auuress Wom the contrivucors to the testimomal, 4u making the presentauon, Captain Favterson referred to Air. Wenr's cany departure and the loss it would be to the community. Ho remarked that that day had been chosen for the presentation as, being holiday tume, it gave almost everybody an opportunity of being present. He was glad to sve so large a company there; their presence in such large numbers showed without any words from him the high esteem in which a.r, Weir was held by his friends and by those with whom he had business relations.
Captain Patterson then read the following address Dear Sir,—Anticipating your early departure from Shanghai on a well-earned furlough, the foreign employees in the Service take this opportunity of recording their confidence in, and high appreciation of you a8 a man, an Engineer, and Marine Superintendent.
During a period of 25 years you have by the impartiality and fairness of your dealing (consistent with the Company's interests), the exactness of your knowledge, the correctness of your judgment, the tactfulness of your methods, and above all the ability and kindliness of your manner established for yourself a high place in our esteem.
Owing to many changes in the Company during that period, your position—has sometimes been a difficult one, but you have always displayed such marked abu and resourcefulness as to blend faithfulness of service to the Company with the utmost consideration 1or our " interests. You have not spared yourself in conscientious untiring efforts for the good of the Company (as your recent serious illness proves) and our best interests have always had your sympathy.
As a token of highest respect and deepest regard we beg your acceptance of this Address, accompanied by a cold watch and chain, trusting you may long have the pleasure of wearing them. Our sorrow at losing you is compensated for by the thought that it is only temporary and our best wishes for an enjoyable holiday in the home-land with your wife and family. and a return to us with renewed health and vigour ce with you.
In reply, Mr. Weir thanked Captain Patterson and those present for the kind words which had been said and for the handsome present which ho has just received. He referred to the go oil-feeling and fellowship which had always existed between the employees of the China Merchants' Company, and to the excollence of the whole staff.
Captain Patterson then asked Mr. Weir to accept for his wife a prosont. in the shape of a handsome gold bracelet.
Mr. Weir, on behalf of his wife, thanked one and all for the handsome' present. remarking that he had been one of those fortunate enough to draw a prize in the matrimonial lottery.
This concluded the ceremony.
£5,000 Boxes would not be the arge an amount—to pay for the blessing "f health by many wretched suffeers who by day and night are tartared with the racking peculiar to your and rheumatism, f, however, can be procured at a much cost by the aid of Holloway's Pills and Ointment. The former are of so purifying nature, thata few doses taken in time are fan effectual preventive against an attack of either. The Ointment should be thoroughly rubbed into the parts affected at least twice a day after they have been sufficiently fomenter with' warm water, which opens the pores and facilitates the introduction of the Ointment to the glands.
Mr. P. F. Lavers being at present away from Shanghai, the address is to be sent to him to sign.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.