OPENING OF THE ALEXANDRA PUNT TO FREE TRAFFIC.

Dunstan Times, Issue 832, 29 March 1878, Page 2

OPENING OF THE ALEXANDRA PUNT TO FREE TRAFFIC.

■ . —o— ceremony was celebrated on Monday last, the 25th instant, in a manner most creditable to the residents of Alexandra, and brought together a more numerous assemblage of people than has been congregated in that town for many a long year. The townspeople not alone looked upon the event as one worthy of special glorification, but apparently did also the entire population of the district, who, to a man, accompanied with all their belongings, answered to the general invitation, and could but the casual visitor who secs Alexandra in its every day quiet garb have dropped in on the scone ho would have made his departure with a far different and a more favorable impression of the district and its capabilities than he ever could have expected. The weather fortunately was most favorable for any out-door demonstration, and everything and everybody looked tbeir happiest and disposed to do their best in honor of the day that on which was to he broke through the bated barrier that had existed so many years, and which had been so heavy a drag upon all classes, individually and collectively. The town was gailydecorated with bunting, and by when the combined Clyde and Alexandra Brass Bands had played their first notes of welcome the street presented a lively and pleasant scene, j The programme of the day was opened by a ! grand procession, in the following order : j Brass Bands,-Members of the Town Council, i Members of Foresters’ Lodge in regalia,

Members of tha Order of Good Templars in regalia with banners, School Children, Populace, marching from the Town Hall to the Schoolhouse, and turning round, through the town, and on to the punt, where awaited the Chairman and several members of tho County Council, and a numerous party of ladies and gentlemen. As many as could with comfort and safety went on board tho punt, which traversed the stream backward and forward. On reaching again the eastern stage the punt was moored, and order being restored, J. Samson, Mayor of Alexandra, explained the object of the day's proceedings. He briefly detailed the negotiations that had led to the good work about to be carried out, and concluded with a pleasing and grateful eulogy of tha County Council, and the Chairman in particular. 1 Viucent Pyke, County Chairman, rose and said the pleasing duty again devolved upon - him of throwing open to free traffic another of the highways of the district. He said it would be remembered that ho had already officiated in his capacity as County Chairman on two similar occasions—the opining of the Bannockburn and Clyde Bridges—and ill a very few weeks he would have tho pleasure of opening a now bridge across the Clutha River, at Bendigo. He then dwelt, at some length, on the County system, 'comparing it with the old system of Provincial ism, and concluded by declaring the Alexandra Ferry free, and throwing into tha centre of the river a padlock and key. Master Bertie Pyke—on his fourteenth birthday, 1878 —said : Ladies and Gentlemen, —I have been greatly honored on thisoccasion in being allowed to say a few words • to you on the opening of the Ferry for free traffic. It will be something for me to remember and be proud of when I am a man. Then I will try to be useful to the people, like my father. I sincerely trust that tha opening of the Ferry will be a great blessing to tbe people of Alexandra and the surrounding country. Master Pyke then dashed a bottle of champagne against one of the boats. The programme was here broken through by Master Finlay rising; Ho said, tho pleasant duty devolved upon him of presenting Master Pyke, on behalf of the Alexandra boys, and as a memento of the occasion, with a writing desk, and asking his acceptance of same. Master Pyke suitably returned thanks for the present. The Band then played tho New Zealand National Anthem. Success to the Punt having been drunk, and “The health of the Queen," proposed hnd drunk, the Band playing “God save the Queen;” and tho toasts of “The Vincent County,” coupled with the name of Cr M'Ginnis ; “The Town of Alexandra,” coupled with tho name of Mr Finlay ; “Friendly Societies,” by Mr Rivers, coupled with the name of Mr Pyke; “The Visitors,” coupled with the name of Mr IVohtford ; “ The Punt Owners,” coupled with the name of Mr Theyers, and other toasts having been drunk—the Band in tbe mean i time discoursing sweet music—the Mayorstated the programme so far was at end, but in half an-bour he hoped to meet one and all in the Town Hall, when the programme would lie proceeded with. During the proceedings above narrated, Mr C. Clark, carrier, with his team of ten horses and loaded waggon, arrived on the West Bank, but perforce had to wait till all was finished. This being done the punt wais brought into play, and he was safely crossed A general move was now made to the Town, and the state,l|half-hour soon lapsin , the Town Hall doors were thrown open, ard before long tho large room was filled. Tho arrangement for the comfort of all was as near complete as possible, and if there was a trifle of squeezing at the lower end of tho room, and anoccational hum of voices that destroyed the sense of the many excellent speeches that averc made during the afternoon, it avas a misfortune tho Managing Committee could not prevent, as it never could have been thought so many would have been present to do honor to the occasion. A long table liberally supplied with everything that the season produced, ran tho entire length of tho Hall on either side, one being set aside completely to the sterner sox, the other to the ladies with a few gentlemen supporters ; whilst the stage was set aside for tho Band, who played an overture whilst the seats were being taken. J. Samson, Esq., Mayor, occupied the chair, and was supported by V’.noent Pyke, Esq., County Chairman, on his right ; and- S. Wclsford, Esq., Mayor of Clyde, on his left. W. Theyers, Esq., occupied the vice-chair. The Rev. A. G. Boyd having asked a blessing, tho Chairman proposed “ Tuo health ■of the Queen,” 1 which having been duly honored, he rose and said, his duty was now to present Vincent Pyke, Esq., M.H.R. for the Dnnstan Bistrict, with a presentation subscribed for, not alone by his constituents, but by many of his friends outside the district. Mr Samson then gave the history of the presentation, and after referring to Mr Pyke's actions as their representative, and his general history since his connection with the district, m->de the presentation, consisting of a purse of sovereigns and an illuminated address. Miss Udell here played an overture on tho Plano. Mr Pyke then rose and said, Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, —I know not how to thank you. I really cannot find fitting words wherewith to respond. I can only say with Hamlet - “Beggar that I am, I am even poor in . thanks ; But I thank yon.” The fact is that although 1 have been dnring 2” years always more or less a public man I am not yet inured to public gratitude. Twenty-seven years have elapsed since I first landed m the Colonies--in Victoria—and before I bad been there four years 1 was forced into public life by the inexorable logic of circumstances. My fellow men were being cruelly oppressed by the tyrannical government of the day, and when they called on to come to the front in their do fence, I cast all prudential consideraU6as to

the winds, and devoted myself, body ami soul to their service. Twice have I been driven by necessity into the ranks of tbc Civil Service—once in Victoria, and again in New Zealand—and twice have I returned to my first love and, thrown tip appointments of considerable monetary value. Every man must do the work prepared for him from all eternity ; and I have always felt that, whatever humble talents God has endowed me with, were of such a nature that to occupy auy—even the most exalted post—as a Civil servant, was equivalent to burying those tabnta in a napkin ; andJl am not willing so to falsify my stewardship. Y’ou may judge from,this brief sketch of roy past career that 1 ! have been exposed to many vicissitudes of fortune, but, although it be true that “Of their own merits modest men are ‘'dumb." 1 feel, on looking back, that I am justified in saying that I’ have practically applied to ‘myself the maxim of the Roman port:— .... “ Si tnrtuna juvat, cavatore tolli; Si fortuna tonat, cavatore mergi." —neither suffering undue elation when fortune smiled, nor allowing myself to despair when fortune frowned. Recurring to the subject of this handsome gift and testimonial, —believe me l am not vain enough, nor weak enough to suppose that all those who have contributed thereto, agree with me on all points, nor that they approve of all my actions. I cannot do so myself, for I have given votes, ere now, which on later consideration I would desire to rescind were it possible to do so. But, f have never given a vote, nor supported a measure which I did not, at the time, believe to bo right and just. My aim has been to “ Resolutely do tho right , Whato'er the consequences and the great and chiefest value of this testimonial, to my mind is, that it is a convincing and incontrovertible proof of your faith in my honesty, and in the purity of the motives which have influenced ray public actions 'Tis not tho mere gold for which I care, and when I say that, do not suppose that I despise gold—l have too much need of it for that matter. But it furnishes a most complete and unanswerable refutation of the foul aspersions and injurious calumnies with which I have been assailed by a contemptible and insignificant clique, and therefore I prize it very highly indeed Let me say here, that tho people do well to recognise tho services of their public men. They are ready enough to censure when they have cause for so doing, and often, unhappily, where they really have no such cause. Ido not complain of that. It is their right and their privilege to do so. But let them also award their thanks ami applause with equal readiness. Why do men servo the public? As Milton puts it—- - “ Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise.” Tho hope of winning fame is the incentive to all noble actions ; and surely it is a most laudable ambition to desire to win the aspect raid approbation of our fellow-men. To some it is given to win laurels on tho battlefield in defence of their country ; others seek distinction in the paths »f Uteratureand in scientific research ; and of others again it is the fortune, ami I will add the duty, “To govern realms and guide the state.” For ray part I know of no nobler avocation than to aid in promoting the welfare and expediting the progress of our adopted country, and so laying on a sure and solid basis tho foundations of a young empire which, in centuries yet to come, shall hold a foremost position in the comili'ot nations, and, in another hemisphere, renew the glories of our fatherland. One other remark I wish to make. I saw, lately, in a country newspaper, a criticism of myself- -apropos of nothing in particular—in which tho ■ writer solemnly accused me of tits high crime and misdemeanour of not belonging to any ‘ party.” lam told that this was intended as a censure ; but 1 accept it as tho very highest praise. ■ If by “party” is meant faction," then indeed I do not—never did, and never shall belong to a “party.” I prefer to follow the example of the men who lived in tho bravo days of old—- “ When none were for a party. But all were for the State and I will never degrade myself nor those whom I represent by becoming a mere joint in any man's “ tail.” Bat if by “ party” 1 am to understand that band of patriots who earnestly, honestly, and persoveringly adhere to a free, enlightened, 'and progressive policy, then 1 am indeed a member of tho largest and most powerful party in the world, and one which surely must bo victorious in the good time coming. Once more, my friends, I sincerely thank you for your handsome gift. I see that on the illuminated scroll presented- to me you are good enough to express a wish “ that 1 may long he spared in health and strength in my present sphere of usefulness to continue to project, and to assist in carrying out measures conducive to the public good and to the advancement of this our adopted country.” In response 1 caff only say that 1 purpose devoting the remainder of my life and my humble abilities to your service ; and that so long as tho people rally round me I will continue to serve them with zeal and fidelity, in the hope of earning raid preserving their respect ami affection whilst I live, and of leaving behind mo a reputation which shall be,as a heritage and an heirloom to ray children. Mr Pyke taking his scat, the company rose and gave three hearty cheers for Mr Fyke, and three more for Mrs Pyke and family, the Band afterwards playing. Mr Tbeyers then proposed the pastoral interest, responded to by Mr W. G. Rees ; Mr Odell, piano, Home, sweet Home; Mr R.vers, Parliament of-New Zealand, responded to by Mr Pyke ; Mr Simpson, R,M., commercial, responded to by Mr Finlay ; Mr Faohe, mining interest, responded to by Mr M'Rinnis ; Mr Pitches, Banking interest, responded to by Mr Dignan ; Mr Simmonds, Press, responded to bv Mr Faohe; Mr Welsford, Town of Alexandra, responded to by Mr Samson ; Mr Terry, the Ladies, responded to by Mr James Rees ; Mr Pyke, the Mayor of Alexandra ; Band, God save the Queen, brought the programme lo’ the close, and a general move was made, the ciders homewards, the younger staying to the ball announced for the evening, which was a most enjoyable conclusion to a good day's amusement.