PRESENTATION TO MR. H. A. STRATFORD.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 124, 14 July 1871, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO MR. H. A. STRATFORD.

Several gentlemen assembled, by special invitation, on Monday evening, at Mr. Hors well's Royal i lotel, Naseby, with the object of witnessing the presentation, to Mr. H. A. Stratford, of an illuminated address and gold watch and chain which had been forwarded for that purpose from St. Bathans. The presentation was made by Mr. H. W, Robinson, who opened the proceedings by reading a letter from Mr. J. Stewart,; the Hon. Secretary of the Stratford Testimonial Committee at St. Bathans, requesting him to act in the matter on behalf of the Committee. .

Mr. Robinson, in few, but feeling terms, expressed the pleasure he had in being tne medium for conveying to Mr. Stratford the very flattering testimonial of the people of St. Bathans, and. took occasion to add, on his own behalf, a testimony to the faithful manner in which that gentleman had always discharged his duties, aud to his general good qualities as a private gentleman as well as a public officer. Mr. Robinson said that he desired to avoid anything approaching fulsome compliments, the more especially as he was addressing a, brother officer with whom he had for many years been on terms of intimate friendship, he would, therefore, content himself with saying that he cordially agreed with the expressions of esteem and good-will in the address of the St. Bathans people, and he felt sure the other gentlemen present would join him in wishing that Mr. Stratford might long live to enjoy the use of the handsome present which it was now his pleasing duty to hand over.

Mr. Robinson then read the address, and handed it to Mr. Stratford, together with a very handsome gold watch and chain. The watch bore on its inside case the following inscription:

"-Presented to Henry A. Stea.tfoed, Esq, By the Inhabitants of St. Bathans and Vicinity, A# a Token of ftsteem. 2lst June, 1871." The address, which was beat if ally engrossed and framed, was as foilows : [copy.] To Henry A. Stratford, Esq., Mount Ida/ ¥e, the undersigned, being deputed by the inhabitants of St. Bathans and vicinity, avail, ourselves of this opportunity, on your departure from amongst us, to offer you an acknowledgment showing the feelings of esteem with which we regard you, and the estimation we hold of the manner in which you have always discharged your duties as Receiver of G-old Revenue in this district.

During the time that you have been stationed at St. Bathans, which has extended over a period of three years, you have invariably performed the numerous and arduous duties that devolved on you in a manner worthy of all praise, and we sincerely regret that your abrupt departure has prevented us from presenting you with a testimonial in accordance with ow washes.

We would, however, ask you to accept this watch and chain' as a small tribute of our respect for you, and as a token of our appreciation of your useful career as Gold lieeeiver in this district.

With our kindest wishes for your success in future life, we beg to subscribe ourselves your sincere friends, Signed— Thos. Mulvey, Wm. M'Connochie, Peter Mallan, liichd. "Wheeler, J. Stewart, John Ewing, P. Turrer, G. Purton, Griff. Jones, James M'Kenzie, E. M. Wakefield, Keenan and Morgan.

Mr. Stratford replied, Gentlemen,—Will you convey my sincere thanks to my old friends and neighbors of the Upper Manuherikia for this substantial testimony of their good-will and kind feeling towards me. When first I resided at St. Bathans I found it a cold and uninviting looking place, but soon discovered .that the great essential for one's cemfort and happiness was there—l mean good neighbors —as warm a hearted people as ever I had the, pleasure, of livino-

amongst; and I speak without any disparagement towards my many old friends ;at Switzers and ; Nokomai. I regret very much to leave St. Batbans, and had cherished the hope at one time that I should have enjoyed the suciety of those I have left behind for some years, though residing at Blacks; but I am rejoiced for their sakes that they are going to have such a sterling, estimable gentleman: as Mr. Carew as their public officer. I appreciate the thoughtful manner in which they have provided for the presentation of these watch, chain, and testimonial. By this introduction I— a stranger among stangers—may look forward (if I remain here) to the enjoyment of the confidence and friendship of those gentlemen who have consented to act on behalf of the St. Bathans Committee in presenting the testimonial. It is with a feeling of pride aud honesty that I admit that, could these presents be divided, but a small portion would fall to my lot; for, while I, being of a reserved and rather domesticated temperament, took no part in public affairs, and confined myself very much to my office, one to whom I am indebted for a happy home and life, with a truly kind and sympathising nature, has endeared all hearts to herself by her sociable and affectionate disposition. It may seem out of place to mention this, but I cannot leave it unsaid when 1 know it to be true ; and if there was any merit, it is due to her far more than to me. I did not expect, until the eve of my departure from St. Bathans, that my removal would be marked by any such event as has transpired. I not only refer to th se presents, but also to the memorial that has been sent to the G-overnmeut by the residents of the Upper Manuherikia, as well as to the nattering petition (which took me by surprise) from the inhabitants of Switzers, at which place I was formerly Warden. G-eutlemen, I h <pe you will convey to the residents of my old district my warm appreciation of their kindness and their welcome present, which has arrived so opportunely to fringe with silver lining the cloud of disappointment that has just passed by me. Permit me to thank you also for responding to their wishes, by attending on the occasion of the presentation.