THE MACANDREW TESTIMONIAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 273, 8 March 1877, Page 2

THE MACANDREW TESTIMONIAL.

PRELIMINARY MEETING AT THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE. A preliminary public meeting, called by his Worship the Mayor, to consider what steps should be taken towards co-opera-ting with Dunedin in getting up a testimonial to the late Superintendent, Mr. James Macandrew, was held in the Mechanics' Institute this morning at 11 o'clock. Owing to the awkward hour, there were only about 15 present, but this number was comprised of most of the influential members of the community. The Mayor said that he had called the meeting in consequence of having received a c-'rcular from Mr. Sligo, the Secretaiy of the Macandrew Testimonial Committee in Dunedin, asking their co-operation in the presentation of a testimonial to Mr. Macandrew, in recognition of his services to Otago. The circular stated that a meeting had been held in Dunedin, and largely attended by persons of all shades of political opinion, and that the testimonial was to be entirely void of political significance, both parties joining in the recognition of services which had been rendered to all classos of the community. It gave him great pleasure to give sanction and assistance to the movement. In politics he had disagreed with Mr. Macandrew during the past two sessions, but they had previously worked hand in hand for the good of Otago. Now that the strife was ovei*, bitterness of feeling should be forgoLten. Mr. Macandrew. throughout his long career in Otago, had done more for the Province than any other member in the H-juse. He believed the prese??t position the Province held was mainly due to the energy and perseverance of Mr. M icandrew, and Oamaru should be foremost in the ranks of those who intended to show him that his services were not passed by unnoticed. During his time he had always found Mr. Macandrew ready in giving his assistance in any matter that was for the good of the people of the Province. The assistance he rendered in getting the vote for the Breakwater should never be forgotten by the people of this district. Some people had urged that Mr. Macandrew had been sufficiently paid by the position he had attained. But he differed from them entirely. Had his talents been directed to private business instead of the service of the public he would have been in a very different pecuniary position to the one he was in to-day. He thought that all that was necessary to be done today was to form a preliminary committee, and adjourn the meeting in the meantime. It was proposed that Mr. Forrester be' requested to act as Secretary. Mr. Forrester having consented to do so, Mr. Sheimski, M.H.R., said that during his sixteen years residence in Oamaru, he had found Mr. Macandrew always ready to do all in his power for the good of the district and of the Province in general. During the time he had been in the House he had always found that Mr. Macandrew would render him every assistance in his power ; and as he was now out of office, and not a very wealthy man, it behoved us to show him some slight recognition in return for the great services he had rendered the Province. Mr. Hislop, M.H.Pv.., endorsed the statements of Mr. Shrimski, and said it would give him great pleasure to give the movement all the assistance in his power. Mr. Sumptee had pleasure in bearing testimony to the efforts of Mr. Macandrew in forwarding the interests of the Province. He had always done his best for every district in the Province, and for Oamaru in particular. As Chairman of the Harbour Board, he (Mr. Sumpter) could bear testimony to the able assistance Mr. Macandrew had given in pushing on the Breakwater. Had it not been for Mr. Macandrew the Province would not have been in the advanced state that t is. He had taken particular interest in educational matters, and had forwarded them in every district in the Province. Had it not been for his assistance the Waitaki Bridge would not have been completed, nor the Breakwater in the forward position that it is. Mr. Macandrew had been the means of getting the line to Maerewhenua completed, and had it not been for him it would not have been done to this day. He also had lent his assistance to getting the Maerewhenua Bridge done, and had it not been for the difference between the two Governments it would have been finished now. He had much

pleasure in rendering all the assistance in. his power to the movement. V^W It -was proposed by Mr. Shrims'Ji, and V seconded by Mr. Sutherland— "That the gentlemen present form themselves into a Committee, with power to add to their number. On the suggestion of Mr. Steward the meeting was adjourned till Monday evening, in the Mechanics' Institute.