PRESENTATION TO MR BESWICK.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2557, 1 June 1881, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR BESWICK.

Mr Beswick, late chief postmaster, was presented yesterday afternoon at the Grosvenor Hotel with a purse of fifty sovereigns, prior to his departure for Westport, where he takes charge of the postal and telegraphic departments. There were about thirty gentlemen present. Mr Turnbull, M.H.R., on making the presentation on behalf of the subscribers, paid a graceful compliment to the uniform courtesy and obliging disposition of Mr Beswick, and said that not only as an official, but as a man he had gained the respect of the community. Mr Beswick in returning thanks, said it afforded him great pleasure that he stood so well in the opinion of the people of Timaru. He had simply endeavored to do his duty to the department and the public. Mr Jonas proposed the health of Mr Beswick. He had known him from a boy, and it afforded him the utmost pleasure to bear testimony to his worth. In canvassing for subscriptions, he had a good opportunity of seeing the esteem in which Mr Beswick was held by all classes of the community, and mentioned a case where a "entlemaaof the highest official position in the district, on casually seeing the subscription list at bis office, had expressed a desire to contribute, at the same time expressing warm appreciation of their late Postmaster. It was no light matter to satisfy people in a grumbling town like Timaru. The toast having been drunk in champagne with the usual honors, Mr Beswick briefly responded. Mr T. W. Hall then proposed the health of Mr Cooke, the new Chief Postmaster, and trusted that he also would earn the esteem and respect of his fellow townspeople. Mr Cooke, in responding, said he would strenuously endeavor to do so, and he trusted that when he left Timaru, he would have secured the good wishes of its inbabicompany then separated, after a parting good-bye to Mr Beswick, and wishing him every prosperity in the new scene of his labors