Major Atkinson

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 58, 3 November 1887, Page 3

Major Atkinson

-«. Some interesting reminiscences were given at the banquet tendered to Mr : ichmoud Hursthouse, at Neson by his supporters in bis recent contest with Mr Kerr. Mr Bawson mentioned that when Mr Hursthouse was first induced to enter public life, the deputation which waited upon him, found him hard at work in his hayfield. Mr Hurthouse corroborated this and said : " Our first political meeting was held in a paddock, my committee and myself perched on the rails like so many rooks, and we then determined to fight and win — and win we did — honorably as we have just now lost," Mr Hursthouse later on, in proposing th*» health of the Mayor (Mr Fell), said he did so with some hesitation, as he, too, was " connected with Major Atkinson." (Laughter). Now he would just like to say a word or two about this terrible Major Atkinson, as than himself none knew him better. He had known him as a bush farmer carting firewood into the town at 7s 6d a load, had borne arms under him in the Maori war, and had known him as a member of the Government ; and ho would say this of him, that not a man could lay a finger on a single spot in his character. A pluckier man never lived, nor one who was more thoughtful of and considerate to the men under his command. That was the sort of man they wanted just now at the head of their affairs.