The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-01-23 00:00:00

PRESENTATION TO A TOWNSMAN'S SON.

Mr. John Dodson, son of the eminent Weymouth
builder, Mr. Thomas Dodsfm having received an appoint-
ment in India, liais been especially honoured at the
Meehancis In.titution of Swindon.
A meeting of an unusually interesting character took
place in the theatre of the Institution gm Tuesday evening,
the occasion being a presentation to Mr. John Dodson,
foreman of the "T" shop (liras.-tinishers and ga.s-litters)
and the "F' and "V.' shops (fitter. and turners) in the
G.V.R. Loco. Department, who has received an appoint-
ment under the Bombay, Baroda, and Central Indian
Railway Company at Bombay. Great interest appears to
have been taken in the ceremon), as the spacious hall was
literally packed within five minutes after the " hooter"
had blown at half-past five o'clock by men and boys of all
ayes and trades, a few ladies being also present.
In the course of the proceedings Mr. SPENCER said he
had no doubt many could remember some 14 years ago a
bright intelligent lad coming to Swindon As an apprentice.
He had served an apprenticeship of which he mizlit well
feel proud : he had turned ont a clever and useful work-
man, and had riven to his present responsible position
entirely by his industry and writs. (Cheers.) That lad
was the gentleman before them, Mr. Dodson, and he
believed he had won the re.pect and esteem of his
superior officers, as well no the worktuen under his control.
lie will say no more, hut read the address, in which lie
felt was embodied all that the subscribes, felt towards
Mr.. Dodson.

'We, the undersigned employes at the Swindon Loco-
motive Warks of the Great Western Railway Company,
bew your acceptance of the accompanying toll watch on
your removal to India, after 11 years' service at Swindon,
as an expression of regard and esteem and of the regret
we feel at the severance of nor business relations. We
trust that in your new sphere you will find abundant
opportunity for the exercise of those qualities f kindness,
courtesy, and self-sacrifice which have endeared you to us
all, and that in the future poir eevires will le as readily
given for the benefit of others as in the past thay have
leen cheerfully devoted to us.
That you may find 214,111, for developing the well-
known engineering abilities which you PO.N.Sç and that
your future career may be happy and pruspenms is the
wish of . .

"Yours sincerely,
[limn follosr the names of the cowntitte., 3i,Tned on
belvtlf of 1511‘til.scrihers.)
Mr. sprcca then prw Th entel Mr. st-on with n heanti•
ful coldwstth. which bore on the inner case. the following
inscription :
"Iler.ented a4t a mark of eateran to Mr. John Do.laon by 450
sub-crint, on hit lensing, the G.w It Loc... Works,
Swindon fur India, 11311Uary 9, 1,77 "
. . . . _

. .
Mr. Joirs Housug. who WM reeeive.l with prolonged
cheers, begged to thank them roost sincerely for their kind
expression of good fveling in presenting him with the
illuminated inhiress awl gold watch. They were really
very handsome, and not what he expected. As regardal
his connection with them, and which had extended over
a number of years, he came there as a hey, and he vv.,
baring, he trusted, a true and honest Man.
lii. career in Swindon had been a narking career. He
hind striven to tle his utmost lath for hit employers and I
for those whom he had the pie:mire anti honour of con- ,
trollinz. (Cheers.) It might he interesting to recall to
some of their minds the time when he first started in
public life, Which was when he NILS VS years :ige at the
penny readings in the old ir it church schoolroom, anti
ever since that tutu ho had beau, conneeted with filet() out-
as well 3,1 in the werks. Hit utmost eel...yours lad
been to instruct the youth—he PIM" say hi: felon, youth
and he trugted that what he had dons he had done
honestly and faithfully, lie would say no more but
again thank them for their kindnews to hint, and to one
awl all say "Farewell !" (('heers.)
Mr. ALBERT SYKES, COMlSetor of the New Swindon
Choral Class, then presented Mr. Dodson with a very
elaborate gai pen and pencil-case combined and a gold
scarf pin.
Mr. llousox thanked the members of the choral society
most sincerely for their 1-intl expmed u+ of gm.' feeli..g
towards him.
The CRUKEISI. thep IS,P,SeoI three cheats for Mr.
D,slson, which W. respotobsi to most lustily, and the
inciting, which had been very orderly throughout, cable
to au end.