PRESENTATION AT KOWAI PASS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 164, 14 December 1874, Page 3

PRESENTATION AT KOWAI PASS.

On Thursday evening a dinner was held at Redfern’s Hotel, at which eighty guests assembled, for the purpose of bidding adieu to Mr Charles Wheeler, lately the driver of the Malvern coach, which, by the opening of the railway to that township, had been withdrawn. So choice and elegant a dinner has scarcely ever been served outside Christchurch, for besides the delicacies of the season and the introduction of all the early vegetables, pastry and confectionery in every variety of ornamental design were introduced by the host and hostess, who must have spared no pains or expense to make the dinner a success. The chair was taken by the Hon Colonel Brett, and around him sat Messrs T. H. Anson, J. White, M.P.C., H. Williamson, W. R. Mitchell J Waddington, and all the principal inhabitants of the district. After the usual toasts had been proposed, including the army and navy, responded to by Colonel Brett, The chairman then called upon Mr W. R. Mitchell, of Christchurch, who, upon rising, was received with cheers, to propose the next toast. He said that he had left Christchurch intending to be present like those around him as a visitor, but upon his arrival upon being requested to undertake the presentation, although unprepared, he accepted the task most willingly, as no one present more thoroughly appreciated the object for which they had met ; and, although somewhat at a loss after the warlike and powerful response of the honorable chairman to continue the same strain of enthusiasm, yet he would ask them to remember that there were heroes in the more quiet paths of life, who, by performing the duties allotted to them in a conscientious manner, had merited the good opinions and esteem of their peaceful comrades. In this respect he should introduce the guest, Mr Charles Wheeler. He (Mr Mitchell) had known him since his youth, and, as his former employer, could bear testimony to one great principle, honesty. He had very large sums of money entrusted to his care for conveyance through the district, and in no case was its safety neglected, or its delivery forgotten, whilst the attention shown his passengers had often reached the speaker in complimentary terms. He had now the great pleasure of handing Mr Wheeler a purse containing 110 sovereigns presented by the inhabitants of the district for the careful, obliging, and cheerful manner he had at all times carried out the duties of his employment, and as a testimonial of their appreciation. He hoped that the future might be marked with the good sense he had exercised in the early career of his life, and he doubted not that he would remember many years hence this friendly greeting, and the numerous assembly present. Personally he wished him a hearty success.

The toast was responded to in a feeling manner and Mr Wheder, after thanking his friends for the valuible present, sat down amid cheers, frequently repeated. Toasts of “ The Agricultural Interests,” responded to by Mr Anson. The “ Coaching Interest,” responded to by Mr W, U. Mitchell. “ The Press,” by Mr Coulthavd, and “ The Host and Hostess,” concluded one of the most enthusiastic meetings ever Held in the district.