PRESENTATION TO MR JOHN OLLIVIER.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2347, 11 October 1881, Page 4

PRESENTATION TO MR JOHN OLLIVIER.

The presentation to Mr John Ollivier of a mark of the esteem and respect in which he is held throughout Canterbury took place yesterday afternoon in tho Oddfellows Hall. The moving spirit in tho affair has been Mr Wm. Day, who is to be congratulated alike upon tho good taste displayed in tho selection ot the souvenirs to bo presented and the success attending his efforts in tho matter. The shape the presentation took was a very handsomely illuminated address, framed in Native woods, and a table centre piece, accompanied by a purse of 750 sovereigns. The address and tho piece ot plate will have an additional charm to Mr Ollivier, inasmuch ns they are both local productions. the former being from the facile pen of Mr McCardoll, and the latter from the atelier of Messrs Ooa'es and Co. The base of the stand is of plate glass, silvered, supported by frosted silver feet Upon this is placed the pillar or stem of the centre piece, of vaso-liko shape. At the apex is a place for a goblet or flower glass, which is filled with a frosted silver vase, bearing tho monogram of Mr Ollivier. and a motto. Tho workmanship is excellent, and reflects very great credit on Messrs Coates and Co. The ease, which is a very fine specimen of cabinet work, was manufactured by Mr von Scboaneberg, of Victoria street, and is of heart of totara, highly polished. The illuminated address is without doubt ono of the moat artistic ever produced here, and Mr McCardoll has certainly excelled himself in it. The border on one side is formed ot a beautifully executed convolvoln.*, and on the other by ornamentation. The nan es of the subscribers, instead of being placed in a row at tho bottom, are disposed in a series of medallions on each side of the text. These names radiate to the centre, in which is placed representations of butterflies, birds and fruits, so admirably executed as to be quite lifelike. The body of the address is relieved by tasteful illuminations of various sentences, which, in themselves, are works of art. Both the address and centre piece will be on view at Messrs Coates and Co.’s for some days, so that all who take a delight in artistic productions will have an opportunity of inspecting them Under the able superintendence of Mr J. W. Morton, the Hall presented a very pretty appearance, tho tables being nicely decorated Un Mr Ollivier and the Hon. John Hall entering tho room, they were received with loud cheers, lasting for some time. The chair was occupied by the Hon. John Hall, having on his right the guest of the day, Mr John Ollivier, Messrs Beswick, G. Gould, Peacock, Charles Clark, Dugald Macfarlane, and W. Day ; and on the left by Messrs John Anderson, W. D. Wood, P. Cunningham, A. M. Ollivier, L. M. Ollivier, H. P. Murray-Aynsley, Joseph Palmer, John Inglis, &c. The body of tho Hall was well filled, there being about one hundred gentlemen present thoroughly representative of Canterbury, whilst in the gallery there were a number of ladies. The Hon. John Hall, who, on rising, was received with loud and continued cheers, said: — Ladies and gentlemen,— We are met here to-day ©a a very pleasurable occasion to do honour to whom honour is due, to express the deep feeling of appreciation in which Mr John Ollivier is held by the community. I shall best, I think, consult the wishes of Mr Ollivier and the gentlemen present by proceeding at once to business. Mr Ollivier— A largo number of yonr friends and fellowcolonists desire to present you with some testimony ot their feeling towards you, and have entrusted me with the grateful task of making the presentation. Were Ito attempt to rate the many claims you have on our regard, I should do that which would bo unpleasant to yourself, and would trespass too far on the time of gentlemen present, I must only glance generally at a few prominent facts. There are now, I fear, not many among us who can remember your first arrival in Canterbury, more than a quarter of a century ago, and how you at once identified yourself with the public life of the settlement, and took an active and laborious part in its public aff firs. Under provincial institutions you became an energetic member of the Canterbury Provincial Council, and as a member of the provincial executive you were associated in the valuable labors of one whom we have recently lost, but whose name will long be held in grateful remembrance in Canterbury. Yon subsequently for a considerable period presided over the Council as its Speaker. In tho Parliament of the colony I had the pleasure of being associated with you as one of tho representatives of an important electoral district of this province. You also took an active part in the municipal government of the city of Christchurch, and filled the office of Chairman of the City Council. In these several capacities, yon were ever ready to take upon yourself oven more than a fair share of the duty of the work attaching to your position. In the course of time you retired, to borrow a phrase for which you are yourself responsible, into the cooler shades of respectability” by accepting an important and responsible office, and became precluded from taking an active part in general politics. Your energy and public spirit, however, found vent in other directions, and you wore found active in the furtherance of nearly every desirable public undertaking unconnected with politics, in helping every proposal for providing healthy pnbhc amusement and recreation, and in carrying cut almost singlehanded one scheme after another for benevolent and charitable purposes. Tho manner in which on such occasions you never failed to extract the contributions of yonr fellow settlers have made yon at once their hope and their dread. [Laughter.] As already stated I must pass over many other services which you have rendered to this community, and content myself by adding that no cause in Canterbury either public or private has ever asked in vain for the aid of yonr ready voice and strong hard to help it through difficulties [Cheers,] And now, sir, after labors so prolonged and so valuable a large part of your fellow settlers wish on the occasion of yonr attaining the good old age of threes: ore years and ton, to express to you their appreciation of yonr public services and private worth. [Cheers.] On their behalf and with sincere pleasure X am to request your acceptance of this address and piece of plate, together with a purse containing 750 sovereigns. They are tendered to you as a testimony to the public spirit and the usefulness which have ever marked yonr career, and of the sincere regard entertained for you by a large circle of friends. [Cheers ] Those join with me in an earnest hope that yourself and Mrs Ollivier will be spared to live among ns for many years, enjoying happiness and Health, tho affection of your children, and the general esteem of the people of Canterbury. [Cheers.] I think, gentlemen, before wo present this address we should drink our friend’s very good health. [Cheers ] This was followed by a perfect fusilade of champagne corks, Mr J. W. Morton with his usual foresight having provided au ample supply of the best sparkling. Hon. John Hall ssid—Before drinking our old friend’s health I may say that I have read a letter which was addressed to him on leaving England, which shows that he was there as ranch respected and beloved as hero for that honesty of purpose, public spirit and usefulness which has characterised him in the colony. | Cheers.] That letter was as follows :

“ St. James’, Westminster, Parochial office, Poland street, Oxford street, Cth July, 1853. “ My Dear fcir, —The announcement of your intended early departure for another and a distant land, requires that I, in common with your other friends, should bid you a long, and possibly a last, farewell. I cannot, however, allow the opportunity to pass simply with an expression of this feeling, but am prompted to make use of it for the purpose of placing on record my sense of the value of the services which you have rendered to this parish during a long period of public life. In a term of twenty-two years, it has of course been my lot to witness very many changes in parochial management. Men have succeeded one another in the important office of guardian of the poor, possessed of more or leas ability, integrity and principle, but I most unfeignedly declare that of all who ever came under my observation, you appear to have stood pre eminent in talent and business habits, always taking the sides of justice, mercy, and good order, and opposing every measure of a contrary tendency ; whilst the moderation and soundness of yonr views, and the honesty of purpose with which they have been invariably advocated, never failed to carry with them the sympathy and respect, and in several instances, to secure tho conviction even of your political opponents. “ In the pain of separation it will be a groat consolation to your many friends to' remember that your sphere of usefulness is only about to bo removed, and that in all human probability you will be called upon to exercise your abilities in some other portion of our Sovereign’s dominions, where your post conduct sufficiently guarantees that they will bo employed in upholding all lawful author, ty, and in the endeavor to benefit your fellow creatures. “That health and prosperity may attend yourself and family in all your undertakings, is the sincere and earnest hope of—My dear sir, “ Tours very faithfully. “ Georoe Buzzard. “ Mr John Ollivier, Vestry Clerk, and Clerk to tho Governors of the Poor.” The health of “ Mr John Ollivier” was drnnk amid loud and continued cheering. The Hon. John Hall—Mr Ollivier, 1 will now read the address which, with tho accompanying purse of sovereigns and piece of plate, I have to ask you, on behalf of your numerous friends, to accept. It ia as follows : “TO JOHN OLI.XVIER, ESQ. “Wo, tho undersigned residents of Canterbury, take advantage of the occasion of your reaching your seventieth birthday, to testify to you our lively appreciation of the many and great services you have rendered during jour long career as a public man, not only to this province bnt to the colony at large. Tho unvarying kindness displayed by yon privately is well known and thoroughly valued, and the untiring zeal and energy yon have always shown in the various

offices you have filled, are also gratefully recognised by us. In testimony of the esteem wo hold for yon, wo hare the pleasure to beg your acceptance of this address, accompanied by a snail piece of plate and a purge of seven hundred and fifty sovereigns as a slight but practical token of our regard.” [Cheers] The health of Mr Ollivier, coupled with that of Mrs Ollivier and the family, was thou drunk with the greatest possible enthusiasm. Mr Ollivier, who on rising was vociferously cheered for sometime, said —Mr Hall, ladies and gentlemen,—You will not, I feel sure, be surprised when I assure you that on an occasion like this, when I find myself surrounded by all my oldest and dearest friends, and by sucb an assemblage of the most influential men of the community in which I have lived so long, that I am utterly taken aback, and that I find myself with a paucity of words wherewith to express to yon tho deep and sincere thankfulness I feel towards you for your kindness to me. Sir, I cauuot find words to adequately explain the feelings of my heart this moment. bet me first say, sir, with what pleasure and pride I receive to-day from your bauds this testimonial. [Ohoers J_ It is not alone that I value the honor of receiving it from you, sir. in your private capacity as_ Mr Hall, which I do, very much, but, sir, it is in your high and honorable position as the Premier of New Zealand that I feel so deep a sense of gratitude to yon for having consented to take part in this day’s proceedings. to receive such a mark of esteem from one’s fellow settlers is indeed an honor, still more to receive it at the hands of the Premier of ihe colony. [Cheers.] Gentlemen, I am really at a loss to know what I have done to deserve such a magnificent present. I have but endeavored to the best of my humble ability to discharge those social duties which lay upon every ono of us. It must be, I suppose, because I possess more of what is known ns “ cheek ” than others, or because I have more time at my disposal than other gentlemen who no doubt would be equally as ready to do what I have dona for the public. There is one thing, however, I feel sure of, and that is that I was cut out for that sort of thing. [Laughter and cheers..l I have even been told, gentlemen, that I am nu old impostor. [Laughter.] Well, perhaps lam in tho sense that through the old impostor many of yon have been enabled to contribute towards deserving objects. The fact is that my work in this direction has been made exceedingly easy to me by tbo kindness of heart, the generosity of all with whom I have come in contact. The success which has attended tho efforts of many of you here has furnished you with so many loose sovereigns that if there was not an old impostor like me straying around your 'treats yon would not know what to do with them. [Cheers and laughter ] You, sir, have been kind enough to refer to a letter received by me before leaving England for the colony. Twenty-eight years ago, on the very eve of my quitting England, my friends there who, like you to day were kind enough to think I had rendered some service to the public, made me the recipient of a similar kindness to that which has been tendered me this afternoon through you. For some years I battled for Conservative principles, and battled successfully. A number of my friends, amongst them many of my political opponents, invited me to a dinner at Hat chard’s Hotel, Piccadilly, whoro X was presented with an address and 400 sovcr< igns. [Lov;d cheers ] Sir, I may say that I have passed through life without, to_my knowledge, making an enemy, and have gained many friends [Cheers.] It has always seemed to mo so easy, by a little study of human nature, to go through life without making enemies. Politi cally, at one time you, sir, and myself, were opposed to each other, and have had many battles, but though this has been so, it has never interfered with our private friendship. [Cheers.] Ihe gift of to day, sir, I may say, has come most unexpectedly to mo. lam deeply touched by your kindness, and I trust that this will be an incentive to those who come after mo to walk in tho way which has in mo met with your kindly approval. [Cheers.] I trust that many will so act that they will also be made the recipients of yonr kindness; and I desire from the bottom of my heart to thank yon. I should like to say all that I feel towards you, but I feel unable on the present occasion to do so. [Cheers.] I can but sayhow deeply and thoroughly X appreciate your kindness to me to-day. [Cheers.] Mr Beswick, as the oldest friend of Mr Ollivier, proposed the health of Mrs Ollivier. He had had tho pleasu o of coming to the colony with Mr ' Tlivier in 1853, and he felt this, that their large-hearted and genial friend owed a great deal of his geniality to the amiable lady whom he called his wife. [Cheers.] The toast was drunk with enthusiasm.

Mr Ollivier, after most eloquently responding for Mrs Ollivier and the family, said he had received the following telegram, which ho would road to them:—“l don’t in tho 1 ast believe yon are seventy years of age. If yon are I hope yon may live for seventy years more for your views against the Drainage Board. —K. J. S. Harman.” [Cheers | Mr C. C. Bowen proposed the health of their chairman. Of rourse, as this wm a friendly gathering of old friends and old settlors the health ot thsir chairman would be drunk, as Mr Hall was one of the oldest settlers and most energetic public men of Canterbury. [Cheers.] But, while this was so, they would, and he did not think they could help it, drink his health as the Premier of New Zealand. [Lend cheers ] Whether in Parliament or attending to the business of a Eoad Board their chairman was equally zealous and painstaking in the discharge ot his public duties. As an old settler of Canterbury, Mr Hall had taken a very prominent interest and position in pnblic affairs, and no one deserved more thoroughly than he did the thanks of the public for bis labors. [Cheers.] The toast was drnnk with enthusiasm.

Tho Hon. John Hall, who, on rising, was cheered warmly, briefly responded, expressing the pleasure he felt at being present that day, and of being able to make a speech without thinking ot tho honorable gentleman opposite. [Cheers.] Of all tho public acts in which he had taken part he conld assure them that none gave him siccorer pleasure than that which they bad been kind enough to ask him to perform that day viz., to present to his old and valued friend, Mr Ollivier, tho testimony of Canterbury to his worth. [Cheers ] He now desired to ask them to drink tho health of a gentleman, through whose instrumentality mainly they wore assembled that day. [Cheers.] In some measure, at least, tho mantle of their old friend Mr Ollivier appeared to have fallen upon that gentleman, and ho now asked them to drink the health of Mr Wm. Day. [ beers.] The mass was drunk amid cheers.

Mr Day, who was warmly cheered on rising, said he was proud to be present that day, and of the warm and enthusiastic manner in which the matter had been taken up by those on whom ho had called. It had not only been a labor of lovo to himself but had been greatly enhanced by the kind r unner in which ho had been received. Ho wished to call Mr Ollivier’s attention to the fact that the subscribers were most representative in their character. Every profession, every mercantile industry was represented, and indeed he might say tho signatures comprised the whole provincial district of Canterbury, and indeed beyond it. This concluded tho proceedings.