PRESENTATION TO MESSRS. FITZHERBERT AND BUNNY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4990, 21 March 1877, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO MESSRS. FITZHERBERT AND BUNNY.

.An interesting ceremony took place yesterday at noon in the Provincial Buildings, t- Messrs: Fitzherbert and Bunny being presented with testimonials at the hands of the "late Provincial Government servants, in recogmitioD of the esteem in which they were held as gentlemen who for a long time had held high offices in connection with the administration of: the affairs of this province. There were about fifty gentlemen prosent, Dr. Johnston occupying the cnair, with the Hon. >V. Fitzherbert on his right hand, and Henry Bunny, Esq., on his left. -:■■ Dr. Johnston said : r Messrs. Fitzherbert and Bunny,—As one of the.oldest servants of the late Provincial Government of Wellington,' I have been requested at this very pleasant interview to represent the members of that service. I may inform you that when the 'province of Wellington was abolished, and with it of course our Bmall civil service, there was a very general expression of opinion that some ; memorialshould be presented—Bmall but lasting " to mark that interesting event in our his- •' tory. Of course we did not expect to bring forward a testimonial of any threat intrinsic value; but we determined to do better —we made "up our minds that thiß should be a genuine "Ipontaheou* expression of opinion. We wished to "express our appreciation of the vigor with •which you have carried on the Provincial Government of Wellington : for the last six years, and also of your courtesy—your courteous demeanor towards all of the officers with whom you were brought in contact. For my own part, my duty has always been a pleasure to me, and I expect' it has been the same with gentlemen who have occupied positions in other departments., There has never been • any officious interference with the officers, and; -their wants and requirements • have always .been attended to with punctuality and des-i patch. In raising this . testimonial then,which, as I said before, we' had no idea of making extravagant—we determined that no, "one" should be solicited to subscribe, that, everyone should put down his name or not as he chose, whilst we kept it distinctly within; the limits of our own service ; and the result | .of our ideas has been the production of these, addresses, which I think' are most chaste an.d ; creditable specimens of colonial art. Together; •with' them we have been able to add what I believe will be a very souvenir to hand down to your families as heirlooms. Of course, in this small town we had not an opportunity of having the inkstands made, so we .were obliged to send to England for them. I hope now therefore that you will accept them as if they were in reality present, and on their arrival they will be at once handed over to ■ yon.. Having made these remarks, I have ,now the pleasure to read the addresses to you as .follows :

!'To the Hon. Wm. Fitzherbert, C.M.G., late ; : ; Superintendent o£ the Province of Wel- :' lington, New Zealand. ';' 'f Sib, —The undersigned officers of the late Government of Wellißgton cannot consent to allow the abolition of the province of Wellington to take place without expressing to you their thanks for the courtesy and consideration which they have always received from for you a period of nearly six years, during which yon have presided over them as Superintendent of the province. They beg you to accept the accompanying silver inkstand as a token of their esteem, and hope ■ that it will aljvays bring to your mind pleasurable recollections of the time that you administered the-affairs of the late province, and that you may. long have to occupy the high and honorable position which you have since been elected 'to fill." [Here follow 91 signatures.] " To Henry Bunny, Esq., M.H.R., late ■"■•'.' Deputy-Superintendent of the Province of, Wellington, New Zealand. ''Sir,—Provincial institutions—with which -you have been so long connected, and under which you have for the last six years assisted in administering the affairs of the province of iWeHington-rrtiaving been abolished, we, the undermentioned officers of the late Provincial Crovernfrient, take this opportunity of. express: tug to you our sihcerethanks for the kindness -«aul/ consideration with which you have always treated up, ,ahd beg you to accept, the accompanying silver inkstand, not for its intrinsic v&>ue, but as a mark of our esteem,, and a menierito of the time during which we have served, under you. We tiuat you may long enjoy life and prosperity in the discharge of whatever duties you may be called up6n to "undertake." [Here follow 91 signatures.] ITie Hon. W. FiTZUEBBr-Rt, in reply, said : I>r.' Johnston and Gentlemen,—l have written my reply to your kind address,' thinking it better on such an occasion than addressing you in any words that-1 might utter on the spur of the moment.' I feel deeply affected, aud esteem this spontaneous • mark of your approval of very high value. He then . read the 'address as follows : " Dr. Johnston and Gentlemen, — '*! thank you : cordially'for the address you hare presented to roe from.officers of, the late Provincial Government of Wellington. It is illuminated with much taste, and conveys to the a handsome token of your regard, and, moreover, contains many kind words and wishes, all which I shall treasure as a valued possession. I cannot take official leave of you without assuring you of the high esteem with which I regard the staff of officers who served under the late Provincial Government of Wellington, for the uniform zeal and ability with which they conducted. ;the public service of the province. They need not be ashamed of theh-work.' " Willi ah FYizheiusekt, *» Late Superintendent of the Province of Wellington." Mr. Br/NNY then said : Dr. Johnston and gentlemen,—l give you my hearty i hanks for the handsome address which have been pleased to present to me, tkDil also for y°ur cordial expressions of regard for me. I can only say in reply that I entirely endorse every word contained

in the written 'reply of Mr. Fitzherbert. I shall certainly hand your testimonial down to my family, in order that they may see that I was the possessor of your confidence. lam only too proud to accept your present. Refreshments were then placed upon the table, and glasses filled with champagne. Dr. Johns»on in a brief speech pr«po§ed the health of Messis. Fjtzherbert and Bunny. The Hon. Mr. Fixzherbkrt,. in returning thank's, said ; I thank'you very much for the kind manner of. your reception of myself and Mr. Bunny to-day.- It .'is gratifying to me, I assure you ; ahd.it is with great pleasure that I drink all your very/ good healths. I only hope that in your ; future career, whether it be in the service of colony or as private settlers, you'will be prosperous and happy. (Cheers.) Those, present having done honor to the occasion by doing justice to the refreshments, the company separated.