SIR JAMES CARROLL, K.C.M.G.

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 281, 22 August 1921, Page 4

SIR JAMES CARROLL, K.C.M.G.

HIS BIRTHDAY HONOURED; The presence in Wellington of Sir James Carroll, synchronising with his sixtv-fourth birthday, suggested commemoration of some sort among his fiends, and on Saturday morning they gathered in force at the Chamber of Commerce to make him a presentation. Mr. J. JM'Grath took the chair, and among those present were the Hon. J. G. Coates the Hon. D. J. Guthrie, and. Messrs. 1. M. Wilford and R. M'Callum. M.P.’s. After proposing the toast of ino King,” the chairman called upon the Hon J. G. Coates, Minister of Public ■Works and Postmaster-General, to express to the guest the good wishes of the gathering and of the Government. Mr. Coates spoke of the long service to tho country of Sir James Carroll, commencing actually when he volunteered with other boys in the Urewera campaign of 1870, and running on till IJD. Tho old adage of "youth at the prow and age at the helm” still held good in all its force, and the Government of Now Zealand fervently hoped that the good services of Sir James Carroll would arniin be available in the interests of that healthy rivalry which promoted the best in practical politics and in the interest of the community at large. After all, the true test, of a man’s worth was the esteem in which Im was held 1 as a man. and according to that test no man stood higher than Sir James Carroll. The guest, said Mr. W. J. Bridson, had blazed a- trail from the days of the Ma y 6ri Boy Scouts io the office of the Primo Minister, and no man could, do more, unless ho became King of England. Mr. R. W. Armstrong, president of the Central Club, on behalf of the members of the club, conveyed very hearty greetings. nnd, incidentally, read a poem which was declared the property of the guest. The presentation, in the form of a gold mascot, was made by Mr. M. Carr in a bright speech, nnd in responding Sir James Carroll thanked those present in au eloquent and feeling speech. There was perhaps a tendency nowadays, he said, to make life too materialistic,’ but, after all. the crowning blessedness of lite was friendship, friendship, and yet more friendship. ’Whether within or without the Legislature, lie assured the gathering he would do his best to help things along. Opportunity was also taken by lhe gathering to express its appreciation of (ho work done by tho Hnn. Mr. Coates, both ns a soldier'and as a Minister, but Mr. Coates, replying. deprecated ' his work. It wns not easy to speak of oneself, Im said, but he could promise that with the help of older heads be would do his best. Toasts were drunk, several songs were sung, and cheers were heartily given.