Illuminated Address to Mr. Edgar

Date: 29 Jul 1880 [unknown]
Location: South Shields, England
Surnames/tags: Edgar South_Shields

Shields Daily Gazette (South Shields, Eng); 29 Jul 1880; p.3, c.3

The following is the copy of the address to be presented to Mr John Edgar at the dinner to be held at the Golden Lion Hotel:

—"Respected Sir, —
We cannot allow you to leave the town of South Shields, in which you have spent the greater portion of your life, without expressing our appreciation of the public services you have rendered to this borough during a period of fifteen years.

We would more especially refer to your work as member of the Town Council; of the South Shields and Westoe Burial Board ; and of the Guardians of the Poor of the South Shields Union (and, in connection with the latter, as chairman of the New Workhouse Committee during the past five years.)

Throughout the whole of your public career you have always maintained an intelligent and thoroughly independent course of action, and have been ever alive to the intellectual and social improvement and well being of your fellow townsmen. We feel sure that in leaving Tyneside you reciprocate the regret we feel in parting with you. You may, however, rest assured that the fruits of your labours will be reaped by those you leave behind, and that your name will be borne in grateful remembrance.

As an Englishman you showed your love to your country, on the first note of warning, by becoming a member of our National Volunteer Forces, and during the past twenty-one years you have ever been known as an ardent and prominent supporter of, and active worker in, the movement. On your departure from these shores the old country loses one of its most enthusiastic volunteer defenders. You started in the ranks, and, by your assiduity and industrious devotion to the cause of the volunteers of Great Britain, you leave your adopted town a captain of your regiment—a position of which you have reason to feel proud.

We have no doubt you will carry with you to your new home the same business tact, industry, and perseverance which has raised you to the position as a business man which you hold here, and that in seeking a larger field for your commercial abilities you will reap a reward commensurate with the boldness of your venture.

In conclusion, we wish you and your family every success in any undertaking in which you may engage;and we feel assured that in whatever sphere your lot may be cast you will display the same lively interest in the advancement and progress of the community with whom you take up your abode, which you have evinced during your residence in the borough of South Shields.

That we shall ere long hear that you are prospering in the great country to which you go, and whose interests are so nearly allied to our own, is our fervent desire."

—[Here follow about two hundred signatures.]