PRESENTATION AT MAEREWHENUA.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1929, 3 July 1878, Page 2

PRESENTATION AT MAEREWHENUA.

In view of Mr William Gardiner's proposed removal to Tap\ii Downs, a marked evidence of tho osteem in which himself and his brother, Mr James Gardiner, are held by the residents on tho Waitaki was given yesterday, when a largo assemblage of friends met at Messrs Borton and M' Master's woolshod, for the purpose of making a valedictory presentation. Tho testimonial to Mr William Gardiner consisted of a purso of sovereigns and a splendid service of silver plate, value 150 guineas, comprising a massive salvor richly chasod, with filagree border, an elegant claret jug, cake basket, tea and coffee sorvico (in four pieces), and a sot of dessert knives and forks with pearl handles, in walnut case, tho larger arti«les bearing the following inscription: " Presented to William Gardiner, Esq., by the tenants and his Waitaki friends, as a token of their esteem. Maorewhonua, June 1878 " ; that to Mr James Gardiner consisting of a handsome gold lever hunting watch (by Rothorams — London), with massivo chain and richly chased locket (value 40 guinoas), bearing tho inscription : "Psosontod to James Gardiner, E^q., by his friends of Maere whemin, Juno, 1878." Tho company, among whom* were a number of ladies, having assembled in tho woolshod, whero tables, furnished with champagno and refreshments, had been arranged, tho proceedings wore initiated by Mr Androw Bell, who, I on bohalf of tho tenantry of tho estate, said that he felt highly honored in being selected to bo their mouthpiece on this occasion, and could cordially testify on his own part, as well as on behalf of all others who woro joined in this testimonial, to Mr Gardiner's excellent qualities. He would bo greatly missed, as by his kindliness and courtesy, and by his many good acts ho had endoai'ed himfiolf to every tonant of tho estate They all wished him long life, health, and prosperity. \s he had been connected with those gontlemon in arranging for this little expression of goodwill, ho would ask Mr Campbell, on behalf of other friends on the Waitaki, to supplement what ho had said. • Tho Hon. Mi* Campbell said that *he had been requested, on behalf of the residents of the Waitaki, to express to Mr Gardiner their deep sonso of the loss they would sustain through the fact of his removal to a distance from his old home. ' They would all miss his familiar face ; in- I deed his removal "vould be liko removing an old landmark, and it would be a long timo before th"y could l'o^.ml anyone who succeeded him in the same light. Ho (Mr Campbell) had known Mr Gardiner for nearly sixteen years, and had luid a good opportunity of appreciating his good qualities us a friend and a neighbor. Thero was, happily, one consideration which, to somo extent, softened their feelings of regret at hiq removal, and that was that he would still, bo within hail, and would, thby 1 felt «Ure, bo always willing still to give them 'in tho future a

helping hand in their sports, ploughing matches, &0., as ho had dono in the past. (Ohoors). Tlio health of Mr Gardiner wai then drunk in champagne with all the honors. Mr Gardiner foelinglv responded. Ho had always been treated with the utmost kindness and courtesy, during a residence of seventeen years among them, and hoped that the tenants of Messrs Borton and M'Mastev would see their way to leaso their farms, and would continue to bo resident in a district the progress of which thoir energy in tho past had dono so much to promote. Bettor tenants it was imposhiblo to wish for, and he could only hopu that in the pkrt of the district to which ho was going he woftld moot with neighbors and friends of as kindly and estimable qualities as those ho now saw around him. They knew that eloquence of speech was not his forte, and the voiy valuable and substantial expression of thoir esteem which ho had received to-day rendered him all tho less able to reply to the kindly feelings they had expressed in the manner he should like to do. However, ho hoped they would take tho will for tho deed, and believe that he felt a great deal moro than ho could say, and that he should always cherish thoir gift, and valuo still moro highly the kind feeling of which it was tho expression. (Applause). Mr fi. Cf. Smith, in presenting tho watch to Mr James Gardiner, said ho had much pleasure, on behalf of his nu-. merous friends, in asking that gentleman to accept it as a small' token of their esteem of his many aots of kindness and courtesy while residing among them, and they, wishing to be kindly remembered by him, hoped that ho would wear it for their sakos, and would cherish a kindly recollection of tho donors, who all wished him long life, health, and happincsi. (Cheers). Mr Jame» Gardiner's health having been drunk with musical honors, that gentleman said that he was not a good speechmakor, but could most hoartily thank them for this substantial expression of their kindly esteem which, as ho was now going away from among them, would serve always to recall pleasurable recollections of tho many acts of kindness he had experienced at their hands. (Applause). The Hon. R. Campbell then proposed tho healths of Messis Borton and M 'Master, stating that after the many years they had resided upon tho property it was a pleasing fact that they loft behind them no enemies, but a great number of friends. They had given an excellent example in dealing with their property, by endeavouring to establish upon it tho greatest possible number of men instead of the largest possible numbor of sheep, and in ao doing they had benefited tho district as woll as themselves. (Cheers.) Tho toast having been drunk with musical honors, Mr M'Mastor said that it was unfortunate that tho proposer had asked thorn to toast a dofunct linn, for the firm of Borton and M'Master.did not exist— it diod on Saturday night. (Laughter.) While they had been carrying on business they had, however, been doubly fortunate—they had boon fortunate in possessing excellent country, and thoy had boon fortuni to in having tho services of Mr Gardiner, tho father of tho two young men whom ho was proud to see thus honored to-day. When Mr Gardiner died, tho question was whom they should appoint to succeed him, and their choice fell upon his son, Mr William Gardiner, then quite a youth, but whoso conduct and ability had, ho was happy to nay, fully justified their selection. Some time after ho had been appointed, he (Mr M 'Master) remembered congratulating his mother upon his getting on splendidly, and she replied, with great naivete, that ho could not help it, as he camo of a family who had been sheep farmers for generations. Ho (Mr M'Master) was not going to discuss the Darwinian theory of horeditary instinct and development, but could in this instance most certainly affirm that tho theory was justified by tho faci.. (Laughter and applause). If Mr Gardiner had boon his own sen ho did not think that tho proceedings of to-day could have given him greater pleasure, and he was sure that his lato partnor, Mr Borton, if ho had been able to bo presont, would have .experienced a similar feeling of gratification, and he only rogretted that indisposition had prevented that gentleman's attendance. Mr M'Master then humorously referred to some of the articles included in the presentation, and expressed tho hope that it would not bo long ero some fair lady was found to handle tho toa-sorvico, and ask its owner in gentle accents "if he would take sugar" (Laughter.) He was only, alluding to what might be, and he hoped would bo ; and ho might f urthor say that ho was happy to see so many ladios present with arms full of pledges of domestic happiness, and hoped some day to have the pleasure of congratulating their guest upon occupying a like position to that of tho happy fathers to whom those pledges belonged. It now only remained to him to thank them heartily for tho manner in which the health of tho late firm had beon honored. Tho Hon. Mr Campboll then, on behalf of their friends, invited tho Messrs Gardiner to a dinner to bo given in thoir honor in the evening, at the Terminus Hotol, which invitation having been accoptod by Mr Win. Gardinor on his own and • his brothers' behalf, the party broke «P- ___

eollent quality for L 28,000, including 14 miles of street pipes. 1 still think it tht best design submitted, bearing in mind its cost and the facility with which it could havo been done. Still," said he, " those to whom the citizens have committed their interests thought hiy scheme not sufficiently great for the future of omr «ity. They presciontly look forward to tho time when Ove times 40,000 will require drink and dish water from their reservoir, and I have loyally accepted tho decision of superior intelligence, and never mur merod thereat. But they . might in com tesy Imvo invited mo to tho roast— (it was not, I understand, a * Barmecide ' one)— they might havo tendered mo a glass of iiy. and n free rido in return for my sixty pounds expended." But I calmed him down to a state of the extremost placidity, by telling him to what thoso who were invited owed the honor. He mused for a few moments, and then with sonorous voice, and hia eye of course "in fine frenzy rolling," — vid? Shakspoaro — said, 0 Oumaru, I know thou lovest well Thy sons who in pure virtuo do excel. In other cities wealth and station may Hear off the dubious honors of the day ; In thee alone shall lminhlo virtuo gain What O'Mnar calls " the vintage of champagne."