PRESENTATION

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 95, 11 July 1902, Page 5

PRESENTATION

JLI * t-'Bi 4*'f-frf %-i ? ;T *j^rj .t I the -public at the. Church qf England Schoolroom; on: Tuesday .evening,. the occasion being thfe presentation of a handsome tea apd .coffee service to Ex - '< Constable Thomas. Boyes■. by a ; number of residents of the district in recognition of his past services —extenpSpg over 36 years—as a guardian of the : peace. ‘ The chair was taken by His Worship the Mayor, Mr J. S. Wratt, whp said' they had met that evening to perform a.very pleasing duty, namely to recognise, in a small manner, the services of Mr Thomas Boyes, who for a period of over 36- yeaifs had performed . his duties in a conscientious , manner. Iu fact he (the speaker) had heard, wince Mr Hayes’ retirement, that he had sho vv n a great d eal of forethought in the discharge of his duties---duties at times unpleasant, especially when the,constable was the bearer .■ of a bit of blue paper, which was served without needless expense. It spoke well of a man when such actions were appreciated -and also of the support the canvassers had received at the hands of the people, of Motueka. and surrounding districts. The chairman concluded by asking Mr and Mis Boyes to accept the gift before them 'as a slight token of the esteem in which they were held and trusted they would*be spared to enjoy long life and to thoroughly enioy a cup of tea through the use of the service, (applause.) Mr 11. E. Gilbert said he came to do honor to Mr Boyes and with no intention of making a speech, but he would mention that he had, in hi s official capacity, a lot to with their guest who, if die had committed any error, did so out of kindness of heart, and by his ®on!-cientiousness had often not claimed mileage etc., which he was legally entitled to charge. Personally he had been associated with Mr in many matters. If his services were not recognised by the Government it would be a matter for regr et ; the more so as he was not like other officials who were entitled- to pensions upon retirement. He hoped those U-ho were making efforts to secure sou e tangible recognition by the authorities of Mr Boyes’ services, would be successful. The present made that evening, would be a lasting memento and would serve to show that Mr Boyes’ efforts had been appreciated by lx number of residents; he hoped Mr and Mrs Boyes would be enabled to enjoy the use of the articles for many years to come. The Chairman agreed with the last speaker that .Mr Boyes’ services sh >uld be recognised by the proper authorities. A movement had been made locally in the n atter and he hoped it would bear fruit.

Mr Boyes, in reply, said the present was a surprise to him aod he 'thanked them, heartily for the gift.

Three hearty cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Boyes, after which the meeting ended.,

The service, which is of silver and consists of five pieces was greatly admired by those present at the meeting. It was procured fr an Messrs Brown and Kerr, the local watchmakers and x