PRESENTATION AT WINCHESTER.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 80, 21 September 1878, Page 3

PRESENTATION AT WINCHESTER.

The Winchester friends of Mr W!Ham Bass, lately station-master at Winchester, and now having the same office at Tettiuka, invited that gentleman to a supper nt Swinton's Hotel on Wednesday evening. About twenty persons were present, Mr Deßenzy taking the chair. After due justice had been done to the good things provided, the chairman in a neat speech, stated the object of the meeting, which he said was to testify the estimation in which Mr Bass was held by every settler in the district who had had to do business with him as station-master. Mr Bass had always been most obliging ; he had always been found punctual, cool, and care'ul iu dealing with goods -passing through his hands. He had very great pleasure in presenting to him the testimonial which had been placed in his hands for that purpose. This was a gold watch, valued at about thirty guineas, bearing the inscription, "Presented to William Bass, date station master at Winchester, as a token of esteem by the residents of the district." In reply Mr Bass thanked them most heartily for the handsome present When he left Winchester he had no idea that the kindness of the people which he had always experienced would be expressed in so handsome a manner. He had only done, as he would always endeavor to do, his duty. His health was then drunk in bumpers of champagne with all the honors. Mr George Taylor, in proposing the health of the chairman, said much of the success of this movement had depended upon the exertions used by that gentlemen. Mr Deßenzy, in reply, said he believed more credit was due to Mr McShane, the vice-chairman, as he was the first that proposed that some mark of respect should be given to Mr Bass for his uniform kindness. He then proposed the health of that gentleman. The vicechairman then proposed the health of Mr CoDyers, the Railway Commissioner for the Middle Island, whose healt i was drunk with all the honors. The chairman then proposed the health of the agriculturists, coupled with the name of Mr J. P. Wilson, who returned thanks on behalf of the agriculturists of the district, and in a very suitable speech stated that he was one of the oldest farmers in the district. For several years it was his lot to fall upon bad times, and.foralong time was most unsuccessful. He even at one time thought farming was a hopeless business for any man to enter upon. He was glad, however, to be at length able to say he had experienced the turn of the tide, and that the old truth is still good, that the " hand of the industrious maketh rich." He could not say that he was rich, but he was recovering lost ground, and he believed in •' a good time coming." Farming, as now carried on, required a rapid transit of produca, and therefore station-masters were closely connected with the advancement of agriculture. Mr Swinton replying, as an ex-employ«e of the railway department, to the toast, "Success to New Zealand Railways,'"' f drew a short sketch ef the history of r.iilways in Canterbury, and showed how the possession of such streams as those ranI ning near Wi-ichester had caused the rise ; of manufactories in other places. He hoped to see such at Winchester, The toast, "The prosperity of Winchester district, was coupled with the name of Mr Ynui'g, the "father of Winchester." In replying, Mr Yuur.g said he looked hopefully forward To the future. Winchester was in a favorable situation for progress. In the centre of a splendid farming district, close to a railway station, with water power to be had for taking—two wheels are already at work, and another is projected—Winchester must prosper. He had done his best for the place, and should continue his exertions in its behalf. "The Industries of Winchester" was replied to by Messrs Beatson and Smith, and "Our Host tnd Hostess" by Mr Swinton. The evening's proceedings proceedings were enlivened by songs and recitations, and the enjoyment was kept tip till a late hour.