PRESENTATION TO MR JOHN FAIRFAX AT SYDNEY.

Southland Times, Issue 1231, 1 April 1870, Page 4

PRESENTATION TO MR JOHN FAIRFAX AT SYDNEY.

fFrom the Sydney Morning TTerald. Feb. 25.) During the past month, Mr John Fairfax, the senior proprietor of the Sydney Morning Herald, has received as a united present the photographs of nearly the whole of hia employes, neatly arranged in an oval form and framed, the picture being about 4ft. by 2ft 6in. The artist, Mr Schroeder, of George street, has succeeded in producing a life-like likeness of almost every person in the picture, the photographs being in the vignette style. With the exception of the principal figures, which are somewhat enlarged,, the photographs are of the j ordinary size. The central figure, is of j cojirse, Mr John Fairfax. On either! side are the photographs of the two junior proprietors of the Herald, Messrs j James and Edward Eoss Fairfax. Above, j and immediately surrounding the central I figure, are the photographs of the editors* and other members of the literary staff. * Around these, again, are arranged those ofnthe persdtjs engaged in the publishing and mechanical departments. In all there are 109 photographs. A numbered index gives a finish to the picture. On the top is a likeness of the late Mr Charles Fairfax, whose memory is held dear, and without whose well-remembered face the donors thought tbe picture would be incomplete.' Appropriately in troduced into the picture are photographs of the Herald office building, of Hoe's printing-machine, and of a compositor and his frame and types. The artist has executed smaller pictures of the above, in which, however, all the features are distinctly recognisable. The presentation was accompanied by the following address, read by the Bey. John West, the senior editor of the Sydney Morning Herald: —" Mr Fairfax, —l am requested by the gentlemen employed on the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper to present to you. as its senior proprietor, a work of art which it is'hopedmay prove acceptable to you. This fine photograph comprises the likeness of almost every person connected with the production of this journal. The Herald itself is a photograph of society in its colonial development, catching as through a lens the feantures of the day, and remaining a chief representative of the ephemeral events of life. The artist who has produced this picture has arrested at a given moment the image of those faces now familiar to you, and to each other, such as they were, but destined to change and pass away. We hope that for years to come this work will be seen with pleasure as the portraits of living men, who have respected and even loved each other. But when time in its inevitable course Bhall witness their departure to their final home, it may, perhaps, still remain a memorial of their common relation and. of their common regard to yourself and sons. They wish in this united form, to testify to those who may follow them their good sense of that justice and humanity which have ever characterised yonr administration of the great trust which Divine Providence confided to yonr hands." Mr Fairfax replied as follows: —Mr West, and gentlemen, —l accept with gratitude and: affection the work of art which yon have so generously presented to me. Many of you have assisted me on the Herald for nearly thirty years, and yonr devotion to its interests is photographed upon my memory and heart. Others have been connected with it JTor a less number of years, but you equally merit my thanks. Not a few of you have grown from boyhood to manhood ; the assiduity and industry of the apprentice are developed in the earnest and zealous workman. It is most agreeable, Mr West, to receive the address from your hands. Long known to each in the old country, our intercourse in Sydney for a long period has been happy, and is still unimpaired. To the other gentlemen of the editorial and literary staff, and to all whose likenesses are so beautifully and correctly represented in this magnificent picture, let me say that no gift, however costly, could have gratified me so much. I trust long affcer my probation the photographs will remain in a perfect state, as an heirloom in my family. I thank you for the kindly estimate you express of the justice and humanity which have ever characterised my administration of the great trust which Divine Providence confided to my hands. In the conduct of the Herald I have confidence 'that my sons will not only imitate but excel their father in generous consideration for the peace and happiness of all who assist in the production of the Sydney Morning Herald. There is one feature in the picture to which I cannot trust myself to refer. One whom we all so much loved is still present in our companionship. From above he joins the group, and for many many years his memory will be precious."