PRESENTATION TO MR D. M MACKAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1119, 16 June 1883, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR D. M MACKAY.

A very interesting ceremony took place in the Star, Hotel Temuka, on last Thursday evening, being the presentation of a purse of sovereigns to Mr D. M. Macka/,manager of the Bank of New Zealand, on the occasion of his leaving the district for Akaroa. There wore about 50 ot the principal men in the district present, the Rev. D. GJordon occupying the chair. The Chairman in opening the prowp'iingß said they had met that evening hi the room of their hospitable host, Mr

Quinn, to honor one who was about to leive them. They would rather they had met there to meet thair friend coming than to see him going They had known his worth, his strict honor and integrity. He had endeared biniseif to Uifi hearts of all who knew him. He had won the friendship of all who had done business with him. They had m< t to do him some little honor, and in doing so they must wish thut it was greater than it was. Messrs Quinn and Gray had been very active in getting this up. He then proposed • The health, prosperity, and success of Mr Mackay. The toast was drank with musical honors and cheers. The Chairman had now much pleasure in asking Messrs Quinn and Gray to make the presentation to Mr Mackay. Mr Gray said it was his pleasing duty to present Mr Mackay with this pursoo 1 sovereigns as a slight token of the respect and esteem in which he was held. He had endeared himself to them all. This was but a small proof of the esteem that felt for him and it was with genuine feelings ol regret that they were parting from him. He wished him health and prosperity wherever he might go. (Applause). Mr Mackay was very glad to see so much talent in the room in the way of making speeches, as he was not equal to one himseif. He had to thank them all for the manner in which they had diunk the toast of his health, and for the sentiments expressed by those present. He said he was taken by surprise when he was told twenty four hours before that the presentation was to be made. His feelings at first prompted him to refuse it, not only because he felt that he did not deserve it, but when he thought of the hard times he thought people bad quite enough to do without putting their hands into their pockets for anything like that. Bnt he felt that lie should hurt bis friends more by refusing. He thanked them not only for the substantial pan ot it but for their good wishes. The Chuirmau and Mi Gray had spoken far too well of him. ti" thought everyone had influence, and it was their duty to use it for good. He, as fpr as he could, endeavored to use it a good direction. He trod on people's corns as little as possible. He was sorry that he had not been ab!e to do more than he had done, bnt he had done what he could consistent with his duty to his employers. It was only on an occasion like this, at a time of separa lion, that it comes upon a man what influence he might have. And that whs the feeling that had now com" upon him. He would always remember Temuk. wherever he might be. He had drank many drops ot bitterness and also many drops happiness there. He thanked them all for their good wishes, (Applause).

The Chairman said the next toast was ; The Trade and Commerce of Temuka.' It was coupled with the names of Dr Hayes and Mr Gray. Dr Hayes sai 1 he was taken by surprise. There were many farmers present who were better up in the subject than he was. Since he had been in Temuka he had always taken an interest in the trade and commerce of tho place- He supposed that the most interesting subject at present was the Borough Council. They looked to that aB the fountain heal where much good was to flow from, and he hoped they would not be disappointed. He had much pleasure in proposing the toast of 'The Trade and Commerce of Temuka.'

Mr Gray said he was most happy to have his name coupled with the toast. Comraeice at present was very dull. Still he thought it was sound. Before many years were over they would have large ships trading from distant lands bringing things that they could not produce. They had a climate unsurpassab'e in the world, and could grow any cereal. He thought then? were great things in store for the future of their Commerce. The trade of Temuka was somewhat depressed, which they ail very much deplored. A few years ago things were very much better than they were now, but the railway was not then completed through. Temuka had suffered much througo that, as it was well known that when a railway passed an inland town it took much of the trade away. However they were going to have a Mayor and a Borough Council, and he hoped that things would be then much better. He thanked them for the manner in which they had drank the toast. The Chairman said Mr Talbot would propose the toast of ' The Agricultural Interests of New Zealand;' Messrs Clark and Guild would speak to it, Mr Talbot saiJ he was sorry to say that agriculture wa* at present under a cloud. He thought however it was only temporary, and that the prosperity they badex-

periflucod Bi.iiiH years agowoul; aoonreturn. It was 2Uyaeraag» since ho landed in Canterbury. Sinec then the country bad made tremendous progress, the few settlers having 1 changed it from a wilderness into its present Btate. The characteristic of cr lonists wan to try more than they ci>uld uianagft. There wan one thing—although they might not hi so well off as they might have been, yet they could come there with smiling faceß on an occasion like the present, Ho knew what Mr Mackay waSr. f He had worked with him some few* years. He sincerely hoped that wherever Mr Mackay might go he would be as wed liked as he was here. (Applause) The toast was then drank with musical honors.

Mr (lark had been connected with agriculture for over 30 years. They had started a duiry factory and he hoped soon to see the fibre and oil factory started. He wished to impress on them the importance of the freezing industry. Their last shipment halnot turned nut what they hoped. He had shipped somrt and would get 30s per head for them. He hoped Temuka would not be behind hand in taking up this matter, and did not see why they should not shortly despatch one or two ships from Tioiaru.

Mr Guild could speak to the toast feelingly. Ha had started harvesting last January, and would not finish threshing till next we*k. He had bought a lot of cattle B'nce he came down here. They had good horses and sheep, but their cattle were so badly bred that it did not pay to put good food into them. Political economists calculated that they had de» pressions of trade every ten years, but they appeared to have local depressions, They no sooner had a bad season than the bank began to put on the screw. The bank and the clerk of the weather seemed to act together. He liked Mr Mackay, and was sorry to part with / iiim.

The next toast was { Our Local In • •Lstries, Present and Prospective.' Meiers Quinn and Lee spoke to the toast at some length.

The toast of ' The Volunteers of our Country ' was responded to by Dr 'layes and Mr Woodhead.

Mr Pearpoint proposed 'The health of Mr Macka\'s successor, Mr Hargreaves,' and made a few appropriate re-

marks.

Mr Hargreaves said he felt himself in a most unpleasant position lhat night in taking the place of one whom they liked so well. They knew that the the bank officials were always being removed. Nothing should be Wanting mi his part, however, but he did not suppose that he wonld be so well 'iked a« Mr Mackay. Still he would do his best. One gentleman had al tided to the connection between the. banks and the crops, but they must understand that th* bank could not satisfy all. The Bank wa< always ready to assist legitimate enterprise. Ho had not beeM ten minutes in Temuka before he pronounced them a jolly lot of fellows.

The health of the host of the evening, Mr Quinn, was then drank with

musical honors.

Mr Quinn briefly replied. Mr Rout proposed the toast of ' The Press,' coupling it with the names of Messrs Twomey and Bolton.

Mr Twomey in responding expressed his sincere regret at parting with so jear a friend as Mr Mackay. In the words of Shakespere " He was gentle, and the matter so mixed in him that nature might stand up aud say ' This is

a man.'

Mr Mackay proposed the toast of ' Success to Temuka and District.' Re was glad that this meeting had taken place, because he otherwise wonld not have known that he had so many friends, [t opened his eyes to the r feelings of the people of the district. He thought Temuka would be a great place. They had plenty of water-power for manufactures, and was such another district as the north ot England. He coupled the toast with the name of Mr Wareing.

Mr Wareing replied, testifying to the soundness of the district, and Mr Siegert also spoke, but took a different view of the matter.

Mr Mackay then proposed ' The Health of their Chairman/ which was enthusiastically drank. The Chairman saitably returned thanks.

During tho evening songs were sung by Messrs Ash well, Aspmall, Henry, and Twomry. and a recitation was given by Mr Lawson. The proceedings came to a conclusion! at 10. 15 p. ni., all present joining: in ' Auld Lang Syne.'

REbIDENT MAGiS'i RATE'S COURT. CJisbaldink—Thursday, Jons 14. (Before W. U. Sbck and G. Barclay, Ksqrs., J P.'» ) Munro v. Duncan- Claim £2O damages for breaking down fences an ■ injuring youug caltle The evidence showed that plaintiff had young catile running on his land and that bull* belonging t-> defendant broke through the fences and damaged them, thev being too joung. _ . , , Several witnesses were examined, and judgment wss given for the plaintiff for £1 per head for the deprecia ion in the value of -the cattle and £4 for damage done to the fences.

n . A»h r Nfilson Claim £2 17* 6d. ■•s£?he amount was alleged to be due for wages. The drf nee was (bat the plaintif lef' the employment uf the defendant before his time Judgment was for the plaintiff. J h.JWai'ev J. Reid—Claim £6 i2« 9d. Dishonored prom »*orj nr* Judgment bjr default with costs J. S. Waite v P. Sher.dan—Claim 17s 4d.

Judgment by default. "*r r * P Wallace r. John Briscoe—Claim £4. Judgment t>y default. R. Fish v K. Cameron—Claim £5 5». Judgment by defaut. W. L Lawson v. G. Munro—Claim £8 30». Judgment for plaintiff without costs. TBE6PABB IN PtJKBtJIT OF OAMK W. P. Turton charged F. Gulsk»«ki and G Piechcy with the abov6 offence, and » fine of £1 each and costs was inflicted on them. Fmdat. Jutfi 15. (Before Dr Fish and Rev. G Barclay, J.PV.) Thomas Scroggie was charged with stealing timber from the Geraldine Fhr 3chool. The charge was dismissed as the accused thought the limber was his own. He was .remanded to Timaru for madicsl treatment he being suspect ed of insani v.