AN HONOURED CITIZEN
PRESENTATION AND BON VOYAGE TO MR. ALP.' FRASER. Mr. Alf. Fraser, who leaves for a holiday in England early next month, was tendered a farewell and presentation at last Tuesday night’s special meeting of the Borough Council. Prominent business, professional and local governing body representatives were presents The Mayor (M. E. Perreau ,Esq.) in welcoming Mr. Fraser to the meeting, said that he had a pleasant duty to perform and on behalf of the public of Foxton lie extended Mr. Fraser a hearty welcome'' to the room. He was not a stranger to the Council Chambers, however, as lie had done good work for Foxton as Town Clerk and afterwards as Mayor. Mr. Fraser had also been interested in educational affairs and was a Justice of the Peace and the people of Foxton could not see him depart on a wellearned holiday without taking with him some slight token of their appreciation of services so well given. He hoped Mr. Fraser would accept the gift in the spirit in which it was given. Mr. Fraser did not like “back-scratching” and was of a retiring disposition hut, nevertheless, was highly esteemed and anyone would lie proud to follow in his footsteps as Mayor of Foxton, member of the Wanganui Education Board for 20 or 30 years, a successful business man and a pattern of good citizenship. On behalf of the citizens of Foxton lie asked Mr. Fraser to accept a travelling rug and straps as a small token of the esteem in which - lie was held. Mr. B. J. Gower, cx-Ma.vor, said that he had known Mr. Fraser for a long time and'had possibly been more in contact with him than anyone else. For four years, when the speaker was Mayor of Foxton, Mr. Fraser was Town Clerk and then for another four years when Mr. Fraser was Mayor, the speaker had served with him on the Council. He could say without fear of contradiction that Mr. Fraser had carried out his public duties wonderfully well. In shipping, the captain is regarded as the man who runs the boat, but the man at the wheel was responsible for the safety of the ship. It was the same with municipal affairs. As Town Clerk, Mr. Fraser was ever faithful in the discharge of his duty. The speaker said he had much pleasure in being present to farewell Mr. Fraser and to take the opportunity of wishing him a very pleasant trip. Mr. J. Chrystali, ex-Mayor, also expressed pleasure at being present to farewell Air. Fraser. Personally lie had been connected with the Borough Council for 15 years and during that period Ah’. Fraser had acted as Town Clerk. The borough had been particularly fortunate with its Town Clerks. During Air. Fraser’s period as Town Clerk, every penny of the rates had been collected. This, of course, was not possible to-day owing to the increase in rates. The present Town Clerk, (Air. Win. Trueman) was a very worthy man and also highly esteemed. Mr. Fraser had occupied the position as Mayor of Foxton very creditably on two or three occasions. He was of a retiring disposition, however, like the speaker, and the value of retiring men was always underestimated. Plenty of advertising or boost was necessary to get on in life. The speaker considered Foxton owed Mr. Fraser a debt of gratitude for the excellent manner in which he had served their interests for over 20 years on the Wanganui Education Board. He concluded by wishing both Mr. and Airs Fraser a very happy holiday and expressed the hope that they would both come back again in good health.
On behalf of the local Justices of the Peace, Mr. J. K. Hornblow wished Air. Fraser a happy and enjoyable trip, and under Divine guidance, a safe return to Foxlon. Referring, to the guest of the evening he said that Air. Fraser did not possess that suave manner that made for popularity, but given a job, lie did it, and did it well. If anyone deserved a rest and change it was AD. Fraser, and he lipped that he would come back after his' holiday abroad rejuvenated and be spared many years of health and happiness in Foxton.. Cr. Thompson said that he had sat under Mr. Fraser as ADiyor, and had always found him a good manager and at all times courteous. He endorsed the sentiments expressed by previous speakers
Contable Owen said he had been associated with Mr. Fraser for the past six years as a Justice of the Peace and Coroner. At all times he had given every assistance possible and it was a pleasure to work with him. Mr. W. E. Barber spoke of a life long association with Mr. Eraser. He had done well for the borough. He said Mr. Fraser deserved all the good tilings tligt had been said of him that night. He also made reference to Mr. Fraser’s ability as secretary of the Moutoa Drainage Board. Mr. F. Woods, as chairman of the School Committee, said that during his 20 years on the Wanganui Education Board Mr. Fraser had done all he could for this end of the district. His would be a hard place to fill and he hoped the best talent possible would offer itself for the position vacated by Mr. Fraser. Mr. F. A. Mason (headmaster)
said Mr. Fraser had always been kindly, considerate and courteous in manner. He had been unfailing in his duties in connection with the educational welfare of the district. Air. D. Christie said he had often heard Mr. Fraser quoted and he was always spoken of in complimentary terms. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce he wished him a pleasant holiday and safe return. ii i^l Rev. W. IT. Walton, referred to Air. Fraser’s association with the Anglican Church. He had represented the parish in Synod for several years and had been a lay reader in the Church. Mr. Fraser had always held the esteem of all who knew him. Air. M. B. Bergin referred to Mr. Frser as being a man of the highest integrity and soul of honour. Ilis services on local bodies had always left a clean record. The public was the hardest task-master and keenest critic and it was a high testimony to AD. Fraser’s character and ability that he had left such a reputation behind him in all the positions he had held. On rising to return thanks, Mr. Fraser was greeted with applause. It was hard to reply, he said, as he did not deserve all the kind things that had been said of him. He had done his best in whatever was before him. It was the greatest gratitude and pleasure to him, after livfor 30 odd years in Foxton to know that he held the esteem and respect of the citizens. He thanked them for their gift and said that the warmth of the rug would serve to remind him of the warmth in the hearts of the people of Foxton. It was true, as had been said, that there had been differences of opinion, but the nian who agVeed with everyone had the backbone of a jellyfish. He had held adverse views during his public life, but had always respected other people’s views. It was 37 years ago last September since lie came to Foxton and he had served 21 years on the Wanganui Education Board. When he first arrived in Foxton he had taken a keen interest in public life and it was very gratifying after all this time to receive such a farewell as he had that night (applause.) “For lie’s a jolly good fellow” was then sung and che.ers given for both Air. and Mrs Fraser.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19260429.2.12
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3029, 29 April 1926, Page 2
Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,294AN HONOURED CITIZEN Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3029, 29 April 1926, Page 2
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Manawatu Herald. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.