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Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 212, 21 April 1877, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR F. ADAMS. The following- extracts arc taken from the Marlhorongli Express :—Wednesday evening, 4th April, will be memorable as the occasion of the Blenheim public’s farewell to Mr Frederick Adams, who is so soon to leave us for Hawera, where he is about to start in business. A public subscription was started a few days ago to purchase a testimonial for presentation to Mr Adams, and we regret to sa} r was so quickly responded to that many who hoped to have a share in the gift only found that the desired amount was collected too late to give their share. We mention this as we know there are many who feel considerable regret owing to this unfortunate we can call it so) circumstance. A handsome gold English lever watch and chain with a suitable inscription were purchased, and on Wednesday evening about 8 o’clock between 50 and GO gentlemen of influence in the neighbourhood of Blenheim assembled at Tenney’s Royal Hotel for the purpose of making the presentation. Mr Jno. T. Robinson was voted to the Chair, and Mr Eccles to the Vice-Chair. The Chairman said that he had rather a painful duty to perform, but still it was not unraixed with pleasure. It was a painful duty, inasmuch as it was a melancholy thing to have to bid good-bye to an old and valued friend, lie had known Mr Adams for many years, and he must say that, a better citizen and a better friend he never knew. Mr Adams had led a chequered life ; he had first of all taken to business, and then to farming, and as an agriculturalist had suffered from the floods perhaps in a greater degree than any other man in the Wairau. He must express the hope now that Mr Adams was going away from them, he would meet with the same good feeling in his new home as he had so deservedly earned in their own district. His success had been but moderate here, but ho had no doubt that in the future he could not help but succeed. He felt that it was one of those occasions when the less said the better. The presence of so many friends and neighbours testified far more to the feelings with which Mr Adams’ departure was regarded than any language of his could. He had great pleasure in presenting to Mr Adams the watch and guard he held in his hand as a small token of the respect and esteem borne towards him by the inhabitants of Blenheim. In after days, although it was not a very large present, he had no doubt Mr Adams, when lie looked at it, would have pleasant reminiscences of his residence in Blenham. He only hoped he would live for very very many years to make use of it and enjoy a prosperous career in the new field of his labours. Mr Robinson then handed over the watch and chain—the watch bears the following inscription : “Presented to Mr Frederick Adams by the inhabitants of Blenheim as a token of respect.”

Mr Adams made a short but suitable reply, after which other gentlemen spoke. 3VIr Johnson, editor of the local newspaper in the course of his remarks said—“He was quite certain that wherever Mr Adams went he would make a good citizen. One of the best points about him was that he had that good British nerve which had sustained him through difficulties which would have broken most men down. He did not know what adverse circumstances Mr Adams could not pull through, for he was that sort of fellow that did not know when he was beaten ; but he was glad to learn after all he would not leave this place a poor man. The newspapers in the locality where he was going had alluded to him as a capitalist who was leaving Blenheim, and although he might not be fitly described as a millionaire, it was quite'true that he was a capitalist. He hoped that he would meet with that full measure of success which he had but little doubt his “ grit” would earn for him. Mr Adams was wont to get very fine cattle in the Wairau, but he understood the cattle at Hawera were so fine that they would almost melt.