A PEOPLE'S PRESENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 134, 28 May 1908, Page 3

A PEOPLE'S PRESENT.

MRS. J2. DOCKKIMj EXTKUTAINK:

As was expected, and despite tin heavy rain, there was a very large am representative gathering; yesterday af tcrnmui in the Theatre Royal at tin fun* t ion raised bv the citizens* committee. in honor of Mrs. J)ockrill, who foi seven ami u-ltalf years carried out in a 1110.4 capable manner the duties \s fell to her lut as tile wife of the chief magistrate. The stage had heen prettily arranged as a drawing room, ferns and pot plauls forming Ihe principal I feature of the decoration, wliUrh was the work of Mrs l\ K. Clark and Mis.-. Okey. Trior to the function and during afternoon team ill's. AW Woods played some capital pianoforte music. Upon the platform was an influential representation of citizens and subj-crib-crs. Si r Joseph and Miss Ward were amongst the guests, together with the Mayor and Mrs. Tisch. j

.Mr. C. K. Ilcllringer remarked oil 111 fact tliaL nut even the wet weal he could keep the people of Now I'lymoutl from [laying this tribute (o Mrs. Dock rill. Fate liiid favored them, however ill another way, iiiasiiiucli as it had en alilod the I'rinie Minister to lie present will) them that afternoon. lie. tlien called oil his Worship the Mayor to make the presentation to Mrs. Dockrill. .Mr. Tisch said they were met to <l<i honor to the esteemed lady who had been Mayoress for seven inul a-hall years, (luring which time she had rendered willing and invaluable services to the people, l-'ire brigades, the hospital, and many other institutions owed her a deal of gratitude, and the citizens could not allow her to retire into private life without giving some mark of the esteem in which she was held. J'eo--I'le had taken it as a privilege to subscribe to the fund for that purpose, and he now had tlie honor and pleasure of handing to .Airs. Dockrill a very handsome solid silver epergue, inscribed: "Presented to Mrs. K. Dockrill by the citizens of Xew Plymouth as a token of respect and esteem. ;ind iu recognition of her valuable services to the town as Mayoress. .May :>7th, l!) 08.'' This. |„. said, was a tribute to, and appreciation of. Alls. Doekrill's sterling (pialdies, nnscllishness and kindness. Ho trusted that Mr. and Mrs. Dockrill would long be spared, and that this epergue, handed down to their children, would he an incentive to them to follow in Airs. Doekrill's noble footsteps. As Sir ,loseph Ward had on many occasions kad experience of .Mrs. Doekrill's hospitality and energy, he would like him to supplement the remarks made.

Mrs. Doekrill. under t-onsitloruhlo 01110. turn, briefly returned thanks, and Mr. Dock rill tlu* ex-Mayor, supplemented her words, adding that in his witV< opinion tlio present was fur in oxers* ot what she deserved. Unfortunately this present would probably have the elloet ill making Mrs. Doekrill throw Ihtm-Ii still more heartily into tin.' work, whilst his reason for i**tirinir f r om tie,' Mayoralty was that his ai-tinn won!.! 1 ivheve he r of a large amount of work , which fell to her as I

The I'rinu' Mini-tor contra tula u-,] the New 1M \ month jx upl 0 thei r action ill m» appreciating u w -'iLiiy citizen, ami voiced tlur (.pinion thai few people outvie public lifo had any idea oi t!ie amount of work and self-sacrificr uliicn had to he borne bv the wives of public men, or how much 0 f men's smre.ss in public lilr was due (n [\ it . jnliiienrt; n | wife and tho liome -die made, lie congratulated the donors upon the spirit c\idoncrd and .Mrs. Duckrill upon having fully earned this magnificent i»-ift. After the presentation ;i splendid afternoon was served under Ihe direction of the ladies' committee. Til;? function lasted until lalo in tin- afternoon.