PRESENTATION TO THE REV. G. BARCLAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2821, 10 April 1882, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO THE REV. G. BARCLAY.

On Saturday afternoon last a very pleasing ceremony was performed at the Manse, Geraldine, the occasion being the presentation of a testimonial to the Rev. G. Barclay, who, with his wife, intends visiting England shortly. Mr Barclay is a very old resident in South Canterbury and one who has always taken a leading part in public affairs. Unfortunately the rev. gentleman has had the misfortune to lose his sight during the past year, and the chief object of his visit to the Old Country is to have an operation performed which, we sincerely hope, will result in the restoration of his sight. As Mr Barclay has been such a hard worker in the community for so many years it is no wonder that a handsome testimonial was the result of the appeal made to the public by the Testimonial Committee. Mr Angus McDonald made the presentation in a very feeling and warmhearted speech, during which he remarked that no one in Canterbury was more worthy of a testimonial than was the Rev. G. Barclay. He stated that the value of the testimonial was £550, which sum he had that day paid to Mr Barclay’s credit at the Bank of New Zealand. He then read the following address

“ To the Reverend George Barclay. “ Reverend and Dear Sib,— “ On the eve of your departure to the Mother Country for. the, recovery of your sight, we cannot allow you to leave ns without asking you to to listen to a few words expressive of our sympathy and love.

“ It is seventeen years, Dear Sir, since you first commenced your pastoral labors in South Canterbury. At that time our numbers were few and our people scattered, A wild waste was the land which is now a smiling country. It needed all the self-devotion which now as ever marks the missionary spirit to undertake the task to which you gave yourself. How faithfully you labored, with what unsparing energy you devoted yourself, is best attested by the honorable name you have won. “You are everywhere known as the Father of the Presbyterian Church in South Canterbury. “ But you are known to a far wider circle than ourselves not only as a worthy minister of the Gospel, but as one of the most energetic and useful public men whom South Canterbury has produced. On the Board of Education, in the Timaru High School, and on the Commission of the Peace, it seems in your case but a light thing to say that your labors have been unremitting, and that they have never been affected by the serious failure of your eyesight. Your friends and the public will never fail to recall with gratitude your earnest sagacity in the administration of justice and your Catholic spirit and farreaching anxieties in the cause of education.

“ In evidence of the warm and general appreciation of your efforts, we need only refer to the numerous ranks of friends who, outside of our own Church and Communion, have pressed forward to claim their share in this tribute of our regard, “Wo trust, Dear Sir, to see you again amongst us under circumstances of not less happiness to yourself than we trust the consciousness of tho woll-dcsorvod

affection of your friends and people has hitherto contributed to create.”

Mr Barclay, in an able speech* thanked Mr McDonald and the subscribers for their very handsome testimonial. The testimonial was in itself most munificent, but he valued it most because it was the result of a spontaneous act of affection for himself personally. He then referred at some length to his labors in New Zealand, and concluded by saying that much as ho loved the Old Country, he loved New Zealand more, and he felt confident that their adopted country was bound to become the home of a great and prosperous people. The proceedings then terminated, and those present were invited by Mr and Mrs Barclay to remain to dinner. Mr and Mrs Barclay leave this week for England in the ship Homan Emperor.