PRESENTATION TO COUNCILLOR HOBBS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1003, 12 September 1877, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO COUNCILLOR HOBBS.

Feeling that the many services rendered by Cr. Hobbs, both as Mayor for two years, and also as councillor, were such as called for recognition, a movement was made towards presenting him with a testimonial on the occasion of his retirement. By a happy thought, Mrs Hobbs was associated in it, and the testimonial therefore partook of a double character. The ceremony was fixed for yesterday afternoon at the Council Chambers, and the duty of making the presentation on behalf of the citizens devolved upon Mr John Ollivier. How ably he discharged this duty those who have heard him many times and oft will be able to imagine. Amongst those present were his Worship the Mayor, Crs. Hawkes, Bird, Ick, Jones, Thomson, Nathan, Turner, Messrs Sandstein, G. L. Lee, W. R. Mitchell, E. W. Roper, W. Harris, B. Cass, H. E. Alport, C. E. Briggs, H. Sawtell, Cass, Toomer, W. Pratt, T. B. Craig, the town clerk, city surveyor, &c, &c. The form which the presentation assumed was a very handsome silver epergnc, bearing on one of the branches a silver cradle, and at the foot of the tree a shield with the following inscription : —" Presented to Mrs F. Hobbs by the City Council and citizens of Christchurch, in commemoration of the birth of her son, Leonard George, on the 25th August, 1875, during the second year of her husband's Mayoralty.'' The other portion was a silver tea and coffee service, of very handsome design. This bore the monogram of the recipient, and also on the coffee-pot the following inscription : —" Presented to F. Hobbs, Esq., J.P., by the Mayor, Councillors, and citizens of Christchurcb as a token of esteem for seven years' service as Councillor, and Mayor for 1875-6, September 10th, 1877." The epergne was supplied by Messrs Coates and Co., and the service by Mr M. Sandstein, and the plate will be on view for the next week alternately in the shops of the two firms. The Mayor occupied the chair, and in a few words called on Mr J. Ollivier to make the presentation. Mr Ollivier, in a highly eulogistic speech, referred to the career of Cr. Hobbs, and to his great services to the city. He also spoke in highly complimentary terms of Mr Hobbs, and concluded by asking those present to drink long life to Mr and Mrs Hobbs. The toast was drank with enthusiasm.

Mr Ollivier then read a letter from Mrs Hobbs, thanking them for the unexpected and handsome present. Mr Hobbs then replied in appropriate t erms, referring to the progress of the city during the last eight years. He had come here when thirteen years of age, had grown with the city, and it was a feeling of nationality which prompted him to do what little ho had done. He concluded by thanking them for their kindness to Mrs Hobbs and himself, and for the enthusiastic manner in which they had drank his health.

"His Worship the Mayor," responded to by the Mayor; " The lute City Council," responded to by Mr Jones ; "Mr Ollivier "; "The new candidates," responded to by Messrs Briggs and Cass ; "The old Councillors standing for re-election," responded to by Messrs Pratt and Ruddenklau ; "The retiring Councillors," responded to by Crs. Ick, Thomson, and Bird. Several other toasts were proposed and responded to, and the party separated.