GULGONG. After trying for some years Mr. P. J. Wade (manager of the Bank of N.S.W., who takes a interest in agricultural matters) has succeeded in obtaining from the Queensland Government some seed of the mazzagua fodder plant, which he has distributed among the farmers of this district for experimental purposes. Mazzagua is a native of Northern Nigeria, Africa, and has been cultivated with considerable success in Queensland. At the Warwick State Farm it has yielded 28 tons of fodder per acre. The best time for planting the seed is said to be in September, October, and November. The plant revels in heat, and is said to be a great drought resister, and to be capable of standing big spells of dry weather.
1913 - A Gulgong Farewell. A Good Citizen Leaves. Mr. P. J. Wade Honored.It was a very large and representative gathering of town and district citizens that met at the Town Hall, at Gulgong on Thursday afternoon to say farewell to Mr. P. J. Wade. The Mayor (Ald. Heard) presided. Apologies were received from Messrs. J. J. Dowd, W. Davis, E. C. Trouton, W. Morgan, L. Rowbotham, C. M. Lowe, C. Stoll, D. Rognini and E. J. Lowe.
The Mayor, after referring to the reason of the gathering that afternoon, said he sincerely regretted the departure of Mr. Wade, whose 13 years' residence among them had proved he was a sterling bank manager and worthy townsman and citizen.
He heartily congratulated Mr. Wade on his well-deserved promotion, and felt it was the forerunner of greater' success in the very near future.
Mr. J. Loneragan also regretted Mr. Wade's departure. What the Mayor had said of him was strong evidence of his popularity. The speaker did not like to hear of the removal of a bank manager for obvious reasons. A bank manager was a strong buffer between two springs. Those present would know what he meant. But while they sincerely regretted the departure of so able and conscientious a man as Mr. Wade, they all rejoiced to know that he was getting well deserved promotion. Personally, the speaker was exceedingly sorry Mr. Wade was going away because, although he (the speaker) was a much older man, Mr. Wade had often given him advice, which he had always found reliable and valuable. He was sure Mr. Wade would meet with the same esteem and respect from the people he was going among that he had received from the people of Gulgong and district. The speaker was pleased to be present to join in the congratulations, and hoped he would have success wherever he should go. (Applause).
Rev. Gribble endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker. He thought the large attendance was evidence of the popularity of the guest, and esteem and respect one and all had for him. (Applause). His was the excellent character and manliness of a true and thorough friend and gentleman. He had always conducted himself as a man should do. He had been a devoted worker for the Church, while as a citizen and townsman his manliness, integrity and high sense of honor, and also his application for duty won for him a wide circle of friends there as it would do for him in his new district. The speaker's wish was every success, happiness and prosperity be with Mr. and Mrs. Wade and family wherever their lot might be cast.
Mr. A. Baldwin said that the occasion marked the departure of one of Gulgong's best residents. For this he expressed regret, but joined with those present in congratulating Mr. Wade on his well-merited promotion, and his transfer to such an excellent district as Mansfield (Vic). Mr. Wade had not made enemies, but he had made many, many friends. The speaker also expressed sincere regret at the departure of Mrs. Wade, whose disposition and kindly manner, her charitable acts and numerous kindnesses won far her the high, esteem and regard for everyone.
Mr. M. H. Bennett agreed with Mr. Loneragan that Mr. Wade had acted as a very good buffer, smilingly adding that the strongest spring was on the side of the bank. (Laughter). A deep feeling of friendship existed between, the speaker and their guest, because Mr. Wade had given him an invitation to visit Mansfield on a fishing excursion. But he desired to know something about, the river before he went! Whether it be subject to rapid rises and if so, is there a cave handy wherein fishermen might get in out of the wet, and a boat available to bring strong and light refreshments. (Laughter). He, too, regretted Mrs. Wade's departure. She possessed a winning personality, which had won her the esteem of the people. In conclusion he expressed the hope that their life would be filled with happiness and prosperity.
Rev. E. P. O'Donnell regretted the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Wade from Gulgong. For some months past there had been an exodus from the town of good citizens. They could not afford to lose good citizens, whose actions were always in the interests of the town and district. If they did lose them they wanted to fill their places with men who would follow in their footsteps. Mr. Wade was highly esteemed and respected right throughout the district. He was sure there were many who were very sorry he was departing. He (Mr. Wade) had been a good friend to many people, and besides was a good man to have in the town. If any man knew the state of the district, its resources and its prospects, Mr. Wade did, and the speaker felt sure that if Mr. Wade was asked for his opinion, he would say it was one of the best. On behalf of the people of the Catholic Church, Father O'Donnell thanked Mr. Wade for his kind and considerate treatment they had received. Personally, he regretted the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Wade, and hoped that their time in Victoria would be one of greater success than that which they had spent in Gulgong, and that the promotion Mr. Wade was receiving would be the forerunner of greater official recognition of his services to the institution.
Mr. Stacy said that it came as a surprise to him to know that Mr. Wade was going away. He regretted very much his departure. Mr. Wade had watched the town pass through a transition stage. He came to Gulgong when it was a sleepy township, and was leaving it a progressive industrial and rural centre. The speaker did not think Mansfield would keep Mr. Wade for long, because he was a man who would climb the ladder of success rapidly, and, consequently, better things were in store for him. In Mr. Wade they were losing a man who was careful, painstaking, yet considerate, and whose honour and integrity was beyond question. They would all wish him and his good wife the success and happiness they deserved.
Mr. C. E. Hilton endorsed the remarks of previous speakers, adding that he was pleased to be present to join in offering his regrets at Mr. and Mrs. Wade's departure, and congratulated him on his well meritted promotion.
Mr. W. U. Gardner was glad to be present to add his quota. He did not like changes in bank managers, because when a man got to know the district and its people, and had earned their respect and esteem as Mr. Wade had done, they had confidence in him. Mr. Wade had taken an active part in charitable and religious matters, and had been a good townsman and citizen. The speaker expressed regret at Mr. and Mrs. Wade's departure, concluding by wishing them every happiness and success.
Mr. Arthur Croft was present to thank Mr. Wade publicly for his kindness, advice and assistance when the speaker was a young man. Personally, he. was deeply indebted to Mr. Wade, and was very sorry he was leaving the district. He was extremely pleased to know that the transfer meant promotion to Mr. Wade. In conclusion, he trusted that success might be with him wherever he might go.
Mr. E. O'Connell said that he had always found pleasure in doing business with Mr. Wade, for whom and his wife the speaker had the greatest respect. All were sorry to lose Mr. and Mrs. Wade, and they could say very regretfully, 'Mansfield, our loss is your gain.' 'May the sun of prosperity never set upon, you" were the speaker's concluding remarks.
Mr. H. C. Rouse, while regretting very much Mr. Wade's departure, was pleased to be present to congratulate him on his promotion. He had taken a deep interest in all movements that had for their, object the welfare of the town and district.
Mr. R. White was very sorry Mr Wade was going, not because he was a bank manager, but because of the friendship existing between them. The speaker would always be pleased to hear of Mr. Wade's success, and felt sure that he would get on wherever he went.
Mr. H. D. Richards expressed himself as being honored to be present at such a representative gathering to say good bye to so worthy a citizen and banking official. He congratulated Mr. Wade on his well-earned promotion, and, as he understood, his substantial increase in salary. Personally, the speaker was sorry he was going, because any business transactions he had had with Mr. Wade, as manager of the opposition financial institution, they were of the most cordial nature, and the speaker was indebted to Mr. Wade also for other acts of kindness. He would be missed by the people, the bank's customers and the officers of the bank. Everyone spoke well of him. Mr. Richards was sure that he would be respected and appreciated in Mansfield or wherever else he might go.
Mr. Bloore (Mudgee) said that he was present to do honor to Mr. Wade as a friend, and to congratulate him on his promotion. That Mr. Wade had obtained and made good friends and retained their friendship, and at the same time conducted the financial side of their business affairs redounded to his credit. The large gathering of visitors present that afternoon was eloquent testimony of the popularity of their guest, of the esteem and regard they had for him, and solid appreciation of his efforts as bank manager and citizen. Whatever success or credit accrued to him may be stated to have come from his wide knowledge of financial questions and broad views on matters affecting the welfare of the town and district. Mr. Wade had done his duty, and in extending to his successor a welcome he (the speaker) remarked that if they could say at the conclusion of Mr. Boulton's term that he had shown the same capacity for progress in business and citizenship they would not be the losers (Applause)
Mr. Gregory said that although practically a newcomer to the district, he regretted Mr. Wade's departure, because his business relationship with his had always been both pleasant and satisfactory. All the same, he was glad to be present to congratulate him on his success. The people would miss him when he had gone.
Messrs. Reg. Campbell and E. Allen endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers.
The Mayor, on behalf of the citizens, presented Mr. Wade with a purse of sovereigns and an illuminated address. The address was as follows: —
