PRESENTATION TO MR FLOWER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 4, 14 September 1880, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR FLOWER.

On Saturday evening a ceremony of an interesting character took place at Whyte's Hotel, when a presentation was made to Mr J. N. Flower on the occasion of his departure from Foxton. Mr E. S. Thynne presided, and a number of the principal people of the township were present. Mr Thynne, addressing Mr Flower, said those present regretted to learn that his presence was demanded elsewhere, and he had been so long a time in the district that they could not allow him to go without a slight recognition. He referred to his personal friendship for Mr Flower, and regretted that he should be called upon to preside, as his regret would prevent his doing justice to the duty placed upon him. Looking back six years, when Mr Flower arrived in the district, and upon Foxton as it is now, he was sure great progress had been made. He (Mr Thynne) was agent for the landlord of the building the Bank had first occupied, and in which it had gained the largest share of the Banking business of the place. Then they had a wooden tramway to Palmerston and a small wharf. Mr Flower had seen a railway substituted for the tramway, and two extensions made to the wharf; he had seen the largest hotel on the West Coast erected in Foxton ; and had been the main mover in the erection of All Saints' church. Also, many of the entertainments given in the township his energy and kindly spirit had provided. He referred especially to the services Mr Flower had rendered as secretary of the Choral Society. The business of the New Zealand Loan Company had also expanded rapidly in his hands, as evidenced by the published returns of the business done. Personally he deeply regretted Mr Flower's departure from the district. Although his firm had removed their account during the past year to another Bank, the friendly feeling that exissed between him and Mr Flower had never been broken. The present was a most trying time for a banker, as he had to do harsh things, and yet try and keep the esteem of those who differed from him in business matters. That Mr Flower had succeeded in doing. He then proceeded to read the following address, which had been written on parchment : — "To J. N. Flower, Esq, " Agent of the Bank of New Zealand, " Foxton. " Dear Sir,— On the eve of your departure from Foxton, the undersigned, on behalf of a number of the residents of this township, beg to present you with the accompanying purse of sovereigns and piece of plate, which they trust you will accept as a remembrance of your lengthened residence amongst them. " We need scarcely say that your departure is deeply regretted by those whose good fortune it has been to have your personal acquaintance, and from your management of the banking institution over which you have for so many years presided, and the ready interest always displayed in the business and social progress of the township, we feel that your place amongst us will not be easily filled. " Since we must say ' Good bye,' allow us in doing so to wish you success and happiness in your new sphere of action, and that you may there make as many friends ns you leave behind you. " We are, dear sir, " Yours faithfully," [Here follow the signatures.] Having read the address Mr Thynne presented it to Mr Flowear, accompanied by a purse of 30 guineas. He also explained that the Committee had retained in hand a sum sufficient to purchase a silver salver, upon which suit[illegible] inscription would be engraved. Thi[illegible] duly forwarded to him. (Appl[illegible] Mr Flower, who was [illegible]ably affected, said that at no time was he a good hand at speechmaking, and on this occasion they would not expect much from him. He ex pressed the extreme gratification he felt that during the six years he had been in Foxton he had been successful in winning the esteem and respect of his friends, but when they accompanied their kind words by such an address and present he certainly felt they had far overrated what little he had been able to do for the place. He had had great faith in Foxton, and still had. He would have liked to have seen it in the full tide of prosperity he believed was in store for it, but it was not to be, — at least not yet, for he was to go. Still he ould remember the kindness he had received from the friends he had [illegible] Foxton. He could only return his [illegible]elt thanks for their expressions of esteem. One thing he would disclaim, that he had been the means of getting All Saints' Church erected. They all knew well to whom the credit was due. Whatever he had done in connection with the Church had been done as a duty cast upon him, but to Mr Hulke was due the position they had assigned to him. Another point he would refer to. It had been said in the Press that to him was due the credit of securing the additions to the Foxton School. This he disclaimed. The thanks of the people were due to the Committee as a whole, all having worked heartily in the matter. Once more he would thank them most heartily for their kindness, and would ask them to extend to his successor the same kind consideration and good will he had ever met with from them. (Applause.) Mr Thynne then proposed the health of Mr and Mrs Flower, and in doing so re ferred to the assiatance Mrs Flower hod always given in local entertainments and other matters. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. In reply Mr Flower thanked them for the kind manner in which the toast had been received. Referring to Mrs Flower, he would say that whatever she had been able to do for the amusement and good of the people in the district she had had great pleasure in doing. (Applause.) Mr Hankins then proposed the health of Mr Maclean, Mr Flower's successor, which was replied to by that gentleman in a very neat speech, in which he referred to the high esteem in which Mr Flower was held by his superiors, and hoped that when he had lived in Foxton as long as Mr Flower, he would have at many friends as Mr Flower was now leaving. Mr Flower then proposed "Success to Foxton," and in doing so said he believed in the place, and that there was a good future in store for it. He would have liked to have had a share in that future, and still hoped he would. He would couple with the toast the names of Messrs Gray, Thynne, Hulke, and Russell. Referring to Mr Hulke he hoped in the interests of the district he would stay in it much longer. He himself was under a deep debt; of obligation to Mr Hulke for the labour he had bestowed upon his children at School, and the parents were all in the same position. The gentlemen named briefly replied. Mr Hulke, in replying, said he had striven to do his duty in the school, and had to thank Mr Flower for the assistance he had given him in his work, by insisting on bis children working at home. To the home work done by Mr Flower's sons, he attributed the fact that his school was the only school except the Wanganui High School that had carried off a scholarship this year. Not only so, but the Foxton boy who won the scholarship had gained a sufficient

number of marks to place him second on the whole list of those examined in the same subjects. The other feature of Mr Flower's action regarding the school was the regularity with which his children attended. His son, who secured the scholarship, was absent only once during the year. Mr Flower had disclaimed being the principal mover in the election of the additions to the School but he (Mr Hulke) could say from a knowledge of the correspondence relating to the matter, that by good generalship Mr Flower had landed the Education Board in such a position that they were compelled to make the additions. Mr Flower was the best Chairman the Committee ever had, his experience as a teacher having peculiarly qualified him for the position. Personally he deeply regretted Mr Flower's departure, as he had found in him a true friend and adviser, and he thought his place it would be impossible to fill. The following toasts were then proposed, drunk, and responded to : — M The Legal Profession," coupled with the name of Mr Hankins; " The County Council," coupled with the name of Mr Gray; "The Local Board," coupled with the name of Mr Palmer ; " The Ladies." ALL SAINTS' CHURCH. On Sunday evening, after the close of the service, a number of tho Church members waited upon Mr Flower at his house, and presented him with an address. Amongst those present were Messrs Burgess, Symons, Mankins, Russell, Jay, Easton, Coley, and others. Mr Russell acted as spokesman, and in a few appropriate remarks conveyed to Mr Flower the r gret of the Church members that he was about to leave, and their appreciation of his services. He then presented him with the following address, which will be illuminated and engrossed on parchment, and will be accompanied by a suitable present to Mr and Mrs Flower: — " To J. N. Flower, Esq., Foxton. " Dear Sir, — As your departure from us will sever at least for the present your connection with All Saints' Church, Foxton, we take this opportunity of heartily thanking you for jour long-continued and self denying services as Lay Reader and Churchwarden in which offices you have shown earnestness and fidelity. But for your efforts we should have been for a considerable time destitute of regular services, and in many other ways we feel that in connection with the Church we are under deep obligation to you. " We also take th s opportunity of thanking Mrs Flower for the great assistance she has rendered in the musical portions of the services, and feel that we shall miss you both in many ways. " In conclusion, permit us to express the hope that the blessings of Providence may rest upon you and your wife and family, and that in your future home you may enjoy health, prosperity, and the consolations of our holy religion. " Signed on behalf, &c. " Mr Flower replied in feeling terms, acknowledging on behalf of Mr Flower and himself the kind farewells of the members.