The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Ora Mota Iwi.” FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1902. COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 83, 30 May 1902, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Ora Mota Iwi.” FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1902. COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL.

l The complimentary social and dance » tendered to Mr R. Hursthouse, on Wednesday evening, was a distinct success, and furnished unmistakable proof of the esteem in which that gentleman is held by the residents. Every neighbouring district was represented at the gathering, even remote Sandy Bay settlers were there ; indeed, ,ve question very much if there has ever been such a representative audience in Motueka before. His Worship the Mayor, Mr J. S. Wratt, occupied the chair, and having stated the object of the gathering, the first part of the programme arranged, the musical portion was begun by a selection by Miss Gilbert and Mr A. Miller, ou the piano and violin. This was followed by a song “I Promise Tnee” by Miss M. Brougham, which was sung with taste and highly appreciated by th )se present. Miss Gilbert followed with "Three Wishes’ to whicii full justice was done by the vocalist. A stranger to Motueka audiences, Dr Adams, gave the song “At the King’s Command” in fine voice, and at its close was lustily encored. “Through the Woods,” by Mrs Batchelor, was well received and the musical portion was brought to a close by “Woodland Beranade” by Miss E. Crofts, whose cultivated singing is always listened to with attention and appreciation. After a short interval, the Chairman said they had met that night to recognise Mr Hursthouse’s many services to the district during his long residence among'st them. He had been associaO ' -,ed with all the public bodies—Educ tion Board, Land Board, Road Board, Bohool Committee. Cemetery Trustee, a id he had also occupied the Mayoral since the inception of the Bor*V<>uVh ; in fact, he had filled every public position except that of Churchwarden. He also, represented them in Parliament for eleven years and -.vas for a short time a Minister of the Crown, Although always differing from Mr Hursthouse on political matters, he (the Chairman) had been on friendly terms with him and he hoped the time had not arrived when Mr Hursthouse wouldleave them for good, butthat eventually he would come luck and settle amongst them. He wished Mr Hursthouse- to understand

they had met to entertain? him and not! to say goqdbye. . Mr Hursthouse had experienced changes and the loss of dear ones which it was difficult to speak of, and he hoped the holiday he purposed taking would be enjoyable. His mcst pleasant duty was to present their guest with a purse of sovereigns, contributed voluntarily and in. small amounts,.and he trusted Mr Hursthouse would accept it in the same spirit as it was given. (Applause). At. the request of the Chairman, Mr J. H. Rankin, secretary to the Committee, read the following address which accompanied the gifts:— To Richmond Hursthouse, Esq. Dear Sir: —It is with feelings of the keenest pleasure that we, your fellow citizens and co-workers, assemble to night to show our appreciation of the many years of labour given by you on behalf of the public interests of this community. It speaks volumes for one who has served so long a time in public capacities as you have, that, though your opinions may have engendered a few political opponents, yet the respect held for you is participated in by all* and is a convincing proof of the integrity and uprightness that has characterised the discharge of the onerous duties appertaining to the many public positions held by you during your sojourn amongst us. As some slight token and earnest of our goodwill, please accept the accompanying purse of sovereigns, and vve would have you believe that every coin carries with it a thousand wishes tor your future welfare, and that you may be long spared to give us the benefit of your advice and counsel, now so matured by past experience.

111 conclusion we express the hope, that this may not be the only occasion on which your fellow citizens may have the opportunity of tendering to you their good will, and that you will help to guide our public affairs for as many years in the future as you have done in the past. Motueka, May 28th, 1902.

Mr R. H. Rankin, on behalf of Motueka residents, said he had great pleasure in endorsing all the statements made by the Chairman. He had known Mr Hursthouse for the past twelve years, personally, and before that by repute--as an able politician whose name was known throughout the colony. They had met that night for the purpose of making him a small presentation and he ventured to say no man had given more time or energy to the v el fare of the district than the one whom they had met to honor. He ah so asserted that had the electorate not been cut up Mr Hursthouse would be their member at the present time and they would be proud to have him. After referring to Mr Hursthouse’s conspicuous abilities, not sufficiently recognised by the presentation, the speaker said they did not wish Mr Hursthouse to leave the district for g' o 1 and that after he had taken a holiday and decided to settle once more amongst them he would receive their hearty welcome and support. Mr Rankin concluded by stating that on behalf of the public of Motueka he wished Mr Hursthouse health and prosperity wherever he located himself. Mr H. Everett, of Riwaka, referred to the differences of opinion in local and colonial politics held by himself and Mr Hursthouse. For over 20 3 r ears he had been opposed to him politically—and may be again--but" there was about Mr Hursthouse which forced him to like and esteem him and he gave him credit for having honestly endeavoured to do his best. Mr Hursthouse was a stout party man, staunch and true, and they could not but honor him for holding fast to his principles ; had he been false to his colors he would still have been a member of the House, and he had reason to say y-so. |:Mr Hursthouse had proved himself a kindly man and a good citizen, who used his abilities to advance the district and it was fitting they should give him their hearty thanks, at the same time wishing him continued health and prosperity. Mr Th )inas Heath, of Pokoraro, said

‘that be had known: Mr Hursthouse personally ever since he. bad been a resident of the district, and bad always supported him as a representative in Parliament, of the Electorate. He endorsed the remarks of the pre-virus speakers, and concluded by wishing Mr Hursthouse success in his future career. .

Mr A R. Edwards, Lower Moutere, said it gave him great pleasure in assisting to publicly recognise the services of Mr Hursthouse, whom he looked upon with the greatest respect; as a neighbor of his (the speaker) he had been a most kindly one. As fa’* as education was concerned Mr Hursthouse bad always been to the fore and was a good member of the Education Board. The speaker mentioned several important works, etc., which were obtained through the efforts of Mr Hursthouse, notably the Motueka bridge, the Takaka hill track, money for river protection and when the Moutore people were flooded out a grant was obtained through the influence of Mr Hursthouse, whom he characterised as one of the men who built up the colony ; a man amongst men, a gentleman amongst gentlemen, the best of neighbors. Mr Edwaids concluded by wishing Mr Hursthouse prosperity and happiness in the future. Mr Jas. Drummond, Upper Moutere, said that when in Parliament Mr Hursthouse had done all he could to advance the electorate, being always ready with his time and talent to help. He richly deserved all the credit that was accorded to him and trusted he would remain and represent the district once moie in Parliament. The Mt utere people had always loyally supported Mr Hursthouse. Mr Drummo: d c included a most interesting address, which was warmly received, by extending good wishes to Mr Hurst-

house. Mr Winn, Dovedale, apologised for the absence from the gathering of his father, who was an old friend and supporter of Mr Hursthouse, who had represented them for a long time in Parliament in a m'si satisfactory manner - He was pleased they had seen fit to recognise his services and on behalf of the Dovedale people he wished Mr Hursthouse long life and prosperity. Mr Hursthouse, who was accorded a hearty reception, said his heart was filled with extreme thankfulness and gratitude in listening to the many expie sions of goodwill, especially from Mr Jas. Drummond who had come a long way 7 to pay a tribute of respect to one he had supported f6r twenty five years. With reference to politics he (the speaker) was no politician and never had been, but he had always endeavored to represent the people to the best of his abilities. He had his own opinions and always did what he conceived to be right. That he had done his duty with more or less satisfaction to the residents was evidenced by their presence that night, and the substantial recognition made him. He was given to speaking his mind, sometimes too freely, but he had never intentionally given offence to man, woman, or child. He had never been beaten in Motueka (where he was best known) for any position he had occupied and after 40 years residence amongst them it was a sufficient guarantee they did not think badly of him. Regarding the statement that he had not filled the position of churchwarden he might say he had never been baptised in the Church of England and that was the reason why: He was a cosmopolitan in religious matters and held that it did not matter where a man worshipped the Almighty. His Worship the Mayor had expressed a hope he would come back and 7 " settle down amongst them. Well, he had no

fault to find with the people, who had treated him (to use a well known phrase) like a white man, and he felt he owed them a great deal for their hospitality and the generous over-look-ing of deficiencies. After forty years ha.jttl physical and mental work he proposed taking a short rest and eventually settle in Taranaki, Stoke, or Motueka and that night’s reception would act as a magnet to bring him back again. In any case, wherever fate or Providence found him he would always have kindly recollections of Motueka and the people and he trusted the district would flourish. Mr Hursthouse concluded an interesting speech by thanking the speakers for their kindly references and also foi the generous gift oi a purse of sovereigns, the proceeds of which he would devote to the purchase of a useful article to bring 1 back daily remembrances of the people with whom he had lived (applause). Speech making having ended, bountiful refreshments were handed round by the Committee, after which the hall was cleared and dancing indulged in till an early hour on Thursday morning, when the Terpsichorean votaries, numbering about 40 couples, departed to their respective homes after singing Auld Lang Syne. The Committee (of which Mr J. H. Rankin was Secretary) wotked harmonously and with a will to make th© gathering a representative one and a success, and they are to be congratulated upon the results of their labours^