Valedictory.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 361, 9 April 1903, Page 4

Valedictory.

FAREWELL TO MR MALCOLM MACDONALD. On Saturday evening last the members of the Alexandra Brass Band entertained Mr Malcolm Macdonald at a farewell banquet in Mr Geddes's Criterion Hotel. Mr Wm Fraser occupied the chair, and Bandmaster Bringans the vice-chair. Apologies for unavoidable absence wero read from his Worship the Mayor and Mr J G Closs. After an excellent supper had been done full justice to, the usual loval toast was duly honoured. The chairman then proposed the toast of ' The Guest of the Evening' -In exV ?l? n & th l regret that was generally felt at Mr Macdonald's departure, he referred in eulogistic terms to'the active and useful part that their guest-had taken in connection witn tlie Band. It was mainly through Mr Macdonald's efforts that the Band had be<fe equipped with new instruments and uniform* and his loss would be keenly felt not only by the Band but by the town generally. The speaker referred to Mr Macdonald's worth as a citizen and to his ability as a profess sional man, and he would take away with the best wishes of all for his future success. Ihe toast was also spoken to by Bandmaster Bringans, Bandsmen Kinraid, Gallie, Briasco and Popplewell, and Messrs Pattison and Buchanan. Each of the speakers paid a. high tribute to Mr Macdonald's efforts on behalf of the Band and the ■ Orchestral Society, and to the esteem in which he was held in the community. The toast was drunk with musical honors. Mr Macdonald, in returning thanks for the honor done him, said anything he had done for the Band or Orchestra had been a work of pleasure to him, and he hoped that, under the guidance of their excellent bandmaster, the band would soon take its place as one of the leading bands in Otago. He advocated the inauguration of band contests as being a stimulus to further improvement. He extremely regretted having to leave them, but he would always have with him pleasing recollections of the associations he had formed among them. The following toasts were also honoured | —The Band (proposed by Mr Macdonald and responded to by Bandmaster Bringans) J The Dredging Industry (proposed by Mr Buchanan and Mr Pattison); The. Orchestral Society (proposed by Bandmaster Bringans a £f P T? ded t0 by Con ductor Briasco); and The Host and Hostess; '

Songs were contributed by Bandmaster Bringans, Bandsmen Campbell, Popplewell, V Smith, Oallaghan, and Mr Clarke Pater' son: while a couple of excellent instrumental trios were contributed by Messrs Bringans, Briasco, and Thomas The singing of ' Auld Lang Syne 'brought a very enjoyable and enthusiastic function to a close.

Prior to his departure on Tuesday morning, Mr Macdonald was met at the Bendig© Hotel by about 30 leading citizens. His Worship the Mayor (Mr James Kelman) expressed their regret at Mr Macdonald's de--parture. and in doing so referred in highly eulogistic terms to Mr Macdonald's usefulness as a citizen and to his ability in his professional capacity. Mr ¥ JBurgess, S.M.. said he was glad of the opportunity of being present to bid farewell to his friend Mr Macdonald. whose departure he much regretted. He had -H known Mr Macdonald long enough to appreciate the excellencies of bis character. During the time he had presided over the courts here, he had met with nothing but courtesy and consideration at Mr Macdonald's hands, and he wished hini every success in his new sphere; nature had indeed endowed Mr Macdonald witfyall the elements of success. The speaker paid a high tribute, to Mr Macdonald's ability as a professional man, and referred to his great experience in mining cases, he having sue* cessfully conducted some of the largest minine cases in Otago, . .' Mr W C Macgregor (of Dunedin), 'speaking on behalf of the members of the bar in Dunedin, expressed regret at Mr Macdonald's departure. They had known him as-a keen fighter in the courts, but he was always fair* He wished Mr Macdonald every success in his new sphere. •

Messrs L B Grimstone and W Theyers also spoke to the toast, and endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. Mr Macdonald feelingly replied in an ap. propiate speech. ■:■>;• v

Mr Macdonald intimated that he intended to present a Union Jack to the town, and another flag (the Scottish Standard) to the Caledonian Society, t The Mayor thanked Mr Macdonald for Ma kindness, as also did Mr I Ryan, on behalf of the Caledonian Society. The Mayor took the opportunity of wel» coming Mr Bartholomew, Mr Macdonald'a successor.

Mr Bartholomew, in thanking the Mayor, said it woujd be a difficult task to follow in the footsteps of such an able advooate as Mr Macdonald, but he'would do his be?fto discharge the duties that might be entrusCJ to him. fT

Mr .Macdonald shortly afterwards left en route for Dunedin, hearty cheers being given as .the trap drove away/ . 5 | We understand that it is Mr Macdonald's intention to, thortly, resume the practise of his profession, 8S barrister and solicitor, ab Greymouth, . t ■

On Monday evening, the members of tfcft Orchestral Society met Mr Macdonald and, presented him with a gold lyre (the Society's badge) as a memento of the esteem in which they held Mr Briasco, in making the. presentation, referred to the valuable assist* ance given by Mr Macdonald to the society, whose president he had been since its in* auguration; Mr Macdonald suitably replied.