PRESENTATION TO DR. DONALD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1575, 7 March 1879, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO DR. DONALD.

At the Colonists’ Bull, Lyttelton, last ovenilng, Dr. Donald, the late Resident Magistrate at ihe Port, and one of Canterbury’s early settlers, was presented with a beautifully designed epergne, in which were placed 135 sovereigns. . The Mayor of Lyttelton occupied the chair, and introduced Mr J. Ollivier.

Mr Ollivier, who made the presentation, spoke of the high esteem in which Dr Donald was held throughout Canterbury, of the any years (thirty) he had resided and the numerous public positions he had filled. Mr Ollivier concluded by expressing the hope that Dr. Donald would be spared to reach bis native land in health and strength, and to return to resume the social friendships and intercourse he is about to withdraw from. He read the following farewell letter, sent by one of Dr. Donald a old native admirers, a prominent Maori: “Go then my letter of love to my Father Donald. This is my farewell to you about to he parted from me. I think I too will resign my office since you, my friendly adviser, are lost to me. Kapaki will be fall of trouble now you are gone. Go then, air, to the Queen. Farewell to you, the _ skilful healer of diseases amongst the Maoris. Not one patient has even slipped from your grasp all the years past. Return to your nation, return to the place where all great things originated that God has made. If you tell me to retain my office I will retain it. Send me your reply when yon reach the other side. This is all from your lovine friend. Signed, Paori Taki, Native Assessor, Rapaki.” He also read another letter in the same strain, and saying “ Go, sir, to the other side. You have been the enlightener of our village during twenty-seven years. Go, father of the people, but return again to benefit yonr people who remain behind.” Signed by sixteen prominent Maoris. Mr li. li. Webb, as a fellow-associate with Dr. Donald on the Bench, thanked him on behalf of his fellow justices and himself, for the good feeling and courtesy which he had at all times shown them, and wished him and Mrs Donald God speed on their journey to England and back again in health and strength. He also spoke of the manner in which all those who had subscribed to the testimonial spoke of Dr. Donald, nearly in every instance naming some kindness they had at one time or other received at his hands.

Dr. Donald briefly acknowledged the present, saying that he regarded his remarks as valedictory, as he was well advanced in years, and would not expect to make many more journeys. He concluded by thanking those present for the handsome gift, for the many kindnesses shown him, and for the address from his fellowcitizens presented to him in the afternoon of yesterday on board the ship Hydaspes, the vessel in which he is to return to England. A vote of thanks to the Chairman being passed and acknowledged, the meeting dispersed. The epergne which formed the souvenir in the presentation is of silver, the design being a tree fern standing on a base representing rocks, over which vines and creepers, in gold, appear. Round the stem of the fern are entwined runners and creepers in flower, worked in gold. The crystal plate supported on the pedestal rests upon the overhanging fern leaves, which are of silver exquisitely worked. Standing at the base or on a ledge of the rock is the figure of a Maori in oxidised silver. The present is peculiarly a New Zealand memento in make and design, all the metals used in its manufacture being the product of this colony. Its complete height- is 18in., and it is the work of Messrs Petersen and Co., of this city. It bears the following inscription : —“ Presented to W. Donald, Esq., J.P., late Resident Magistrate, Lyttelton, N. Z., together with a pur-e of sovereigns, by a number of his Canterbury friends, as a token of their appreciation of his services, both in public and private life. Lyttelton, March, 1879.”