HONOUR WHERE DUE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 559, 20 August 1920, Page 2

HONOUR WHERE DUE

MR. CHAS. SHIPHERD. FIRST LIFE MEMBER. FRANKLIN A, AND P. SOCIETY. PRESENTATION FUNCTION.

An excellent mußter of members of the Franklin Agricultural and Pastoral Association attended ut the Premier Hall on Tuesday night for the felicitous purpose of paying a well-deserved tribute to the society's first life-member, Mr. Chas. Shlpheid, sen., who was the society's first president 35 years ago. Mr. J. N. Massey, president of the society, presided over the gathering, the function taking the form.of a grand smoker. The president, while expressing pleasure at the numerical strength of the gathering, regretted having to apologise for the absence of Messrs Dynes Fulton and Len Allen. Proposing the toast of the guest of the evening, Mr. Massey said that Mr. Shipherd, 35 years ago, was the society's first president, and had served other terms since. On behalf of the society he presented Mr. Shipherd with an artistically-designed wallet containing a life-member's ticket.

Mr. .Jas Roulston, past president, present vice-president, and president of the winter show committee, was entrusted with the presentation of an artistic album of verses containing appropriate literary quotations (published elsewhere in this issue) by members of the executive Mr. Roulston said he had always respected and esteemed Mr Shipherd. The speaker's father had always held the guest up as the pattern of an honourable and straightforward man. He always meant what he said, and his name was a byword in every household in the district. He was always a worker, but his steadfastness was the secret of his popularity. He had, for example, for 30 years stood by the party now known as the Reform Party, though that party was once in the cold shades of opposition, and not popular as it now was. The guest was always prepared to do a kindness, and he §tood in the forefront among the in Franklin, where his name was honoured and revered.

Mr. D. R. Hamilton (secretary) presented the guest, on behalf of the society, with an embossed life member's ticket, and hoped Mr Shipherd would be present in 15 years' time when the jubilee was being* celebrated.—Applause.

Mr. Jas. Wylie, past president, proposed the toast of the guest of the evening. He had known Mr. Shipherd since his (the speaker's) boyhood. Mr. Shipherd had always given a good example to copy, alul the success of the society was largely due to him. He requested that ihe toast ,b'e drunk to the guest as a man, a citizen, and an honoured member jot the society—and it was given effect to.

Historical Review. . ' Rising to reply, the veteran mem* ; ber was greeted with tumultous ap- . plause, and further musical honours. I He thanked members sincerely for , the honours bestowed, and gave some interesting sidelights on the progress , of agricultural societies in Auckland Province. The first was held in Auckland in 18-17, and then one at Otahuhu, engineered by the late Colonel Nixon. This became very strong, and they had a good library and read-ing-room. Every member had to read an essay on agricultural matters, but the library went to the four winds of heaven. Then, there was a show at Newmarket, where houses now stand, and to which society he belonged. The show was held in Alfred Barrack?, now a park and partly built over. Later this society became defunct. Good shows were later held at Ellerslie, but the Auckland Land and Pedigree Stock Company scooped the pool every time, and that society also went the way of all flesh. It was resuscitated during the Maori War. Financial trouble ensued, and his prize-money of £27 had to be pooled. (Laughter.) After leaving Mangere and coming to Pukekohe he was casually told that he had been made president of the Franklin Society then just formed. He took it and held the position for three years and also served two other terms at intervals. H* was pleased to see the progress of the society. It was on a good wicket, and had good grounds. He was on the committee which reviewed the grounds at Paerata and Hamilton's, both of which were unsuitable for various reasons, as was also one at Buckland. He also viewed the present showgrounds, ud repotted on all the sites. It had, unfortunately, been put in the paper that the land now occupied by the society had great prospective ,alue, and on that account the vendors, be thought, had put up the pric*. (Laughter.) Concluding, Mr. Shipherd again thanked the hosts, and expressed the opinion that other presidents had done more than he for the welfare of the society. Further demonstrations of appreciation followed. J

Mr. D. Jamieson, in paying a tribute, said that when his people came to Pukekohe about 40 years ago there were only two shops in Pukekohe, and they had to drive through Pukekohe when it was standing bush. Barter was then in vogue, and it was sometimes diflicult to tell who was making a profit. (Laughter.) Pukekohe now presented more of a Home scene than any other place in New Zealand, and he was quite confident that the town and district had a great future in store. An interesting souvenir handed round was a page of the "Auckland Weekly News," dated March 16, 1901, containing photos and a description of the society's 15th annual show. In the centr# of b group of officials the photograph of the guest of the evening was plainly recognisable.

A special toast was proposed by Mr. F. Pearkins in appreciation of Mr. Jas. Roulston for his excellent , and consistent work for the society and the district, i Other toasts were given as under: The King, also Absent Friends, by the president, Mr. J. N. Massey. Local Bodies.—Messrs. F. Shipherd —K. Lawrie, Mayor of Pukekohe. Agricultural Interests—Messrs Alf Daysh—D. Jamieson. Education—Messrs. VV. J. Moore— F. Perkins, chairman Pukekohe School Committee. Army and Navy -Messrs J. F. Morrow—F. Deane. Fire Brigade—Messrs H. Bockett—foreman E. Gilbert, of Onehunga. Ihe Press—Messrs D. R. Hamilton —A representative of the "Times." An excellent range of vocal items was rendered as under, the contri- | butors being vociferously encored:--1 Songs, Messrs. W. T. Jones, Len Brown, A. D. Young, B. Oldham; concerted numbers by the Franklin quartette, Messrs A. D. Young, G. Blake, Jas. Roulston and W. T. Jones; recitations and humorous items by Mr. i Horace V. Orlbble, Mr. Howard," Mr. < Con, and Mr. Tom Watson. 1 Mr. K. L. Cannel presided at the * piano,