LAYING THE STONE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 364, 1 May 1889, Page 3

LAYING THE STONE.

His Excellency then stepped forward and laid the stone. Mr E. Bartley handed Lord Onslow a silver trowel, on which was engraved: — " Piesentei to His Excellency the Right Hon. Earl of Onslow, G.C.M.G., as a memento of the laying of the foundation stone of the Costley Home for the Aged Poor ot Auckland. 24th April, 1889." Mr J. J. Holland presented Lord Onflow with a mallet composed of puriri wood with ti-tree haft. In the head ot the mallet was inserted a silver plate, on which was inscribed in a circle the words "Costley Home for the Aged Poor, Auckland." In the centre of the circle was the date, April 24th, 1889. Messrs Bartley and Holland directed the stone, which was lowered by the Foreman of Works, Mr J. McCuit. Lord Onslow then levelled ifc with his trowel and then struck three ringing blows on the top of the stono, at the same timo saying, " I declare thisstonc to be well and truly laid/ The band played " Glorious Apollo " and the assemblage cheered. His Excellency then turned to those present and said : Mr Atkin, Mr Mayor, Bishops, ladies and gentlemen, — You have rightly estimated my feelings in this matter. It is a great pleasure to me to be here to-day to assist in commemorating the munificent bequest of Mr Costley to Auckland. It is true that 1 have remained one day longer than I intended, but an alteration in my projects is but a small matter compared with the pleasure it affords me to perform this duty. You have spoken with pride about the bequests which have been made to your city. There are two kinds of pride, the one which is begotten of egotism, and the pride of a man in his tatherland, colony, and city. That ishonourable piide, and it is the pride which encouraged Mr Costley when he left this bequest. We find this pride so largely distributed amongst the Anglo-Saxon race that there i& scarcely a town in the Old Country or the colonies in which this has not been manifested by bequests and donations. Mr Costley, no doubt, had the means to enjoy himself during his life, but he chose rather to enjoy himself in a self-deny-ing manner, and give pleasure to the aged and afflicted who came after him. I have myself an interest in this matter because a beneficent ancestor of mine founded a home tor the aged in one of the least lovely parts of East London. lam glad to say that I have been enabled to dispose of this to advantage, and with the proceeds so obtained to endow a place capable of accommodating double the number. One of the greatest pleasures in my life has been to go and see those old ladies in 'that institution quietly enjoying themselves in the country. Here in Auckland you have a splendid climate, beautiful scenery, and lovely aky, and I have no doubt that in the future you may have the same pleasure of seeing the old people in this house enjoying themBelves as I have done in the Home I spoke of, and this will be owing to the munificence of Mr Coatley. (Applause.) Mr Atkin then came forward and moved a hearty vote of thanks to His Excellency the Eavl of Onslow for the way in which he had served them in that self-denying act of postponing his departure in order to be present and take part in that ceremony. This was responded to with three hearty cheers from the crowd, and one extra for Lady Onslow.

Mr Abkin said he also wanted them to .give cheers for Lady Onslow for gracing the ceremony by her presence. These cheers were also given with a will. His Excellency, hi reply, briefly thanked those present on behalf of his wife and himself. He mentioned that Lady Onslow had always taken the deepest interest in these matters. As Lord and Lady Onslow withdrew, the National Anthem was played by the band and the gathering dispersed.